The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur was established on January 2, 1936. Its Bench at Indore was established on November 28, 1968 and exercises territorial jurisdiction over 13 districts: Indore, Dhar, Dewas, Ujjain, Ratlam, Mandsaur, Neemuch, Shajapur, Agar-Malwa, Rajgarh, Sehore, Khargone (West Nimar), and Barwani. For residents of these 14 districts, the Indore Bench is the primary High Court forum — not Jabalpur.
Raghvendra Singh Raghuvanshi is enrolled with and has appeared before the MP High Court Indore Bench for over 19 years. He has served as Special Public Prosecutor appointed by the Government of Madhya Pradesh — the State-appointed counsel for serious criminal matters — and has appeared before the Lokayukt (MP’s anti-corruption authority). The firm regularly files writ petitions, criminal revisions, civil first appeals, and letters patent appeals before the MP High Court Indore Bench. Case status can be tracked on the MP High Court case status portal. Selected orders obtained by the firm are published on the firm’s judgements page.
What Is a Writ Petition?
Article 226 of the Constitution — the source of High Court writ jurisdiction
Article 226 gives every High Court the power to issue writs to “any person or authority including government” within its territorial jurisdiction, for enforcement of fundamental rights and for “any other purpose.” This is broader than the Supreme Court’s writ jurisdiction under Article 32 (which is limited to fundamental rights). A High Court can issue a writ for any legal right — not just constitutional rights.
The five writs available:
Habeas Corpus(“produce the body”) — challenges illegal detention. The court summons the detaining authority and examines the legality of detention. Used in criminal cases (illegal custody without producing before Magistrate), preventive detention, and cases involving missing persons.Mandamus(“we command”) — directs a public authority to perform a legal duty it has failed to perform. Used when a government department does not act on an application, or when an authority acts contrary to its own rules.Prohibition— prevents a lower court or tribunal from exceeding its jurisdiction. Issued before a final order — once the lower court has passed an order, certiorari is used instead.Certiorari— quashes an already-passed order of a lower court or tribunal that is without jurisdiction, in violation of natural justice, or based on an error of law apparent on the face of the record.Quo Warranto— challenges a person’s right to hold a public office they are not legally entitled to.
Types of Matters Before the MP High Court Indore Bench
How a Writ Petition Is Filed at the Indore Bench
Related Reading:
When to file in Indore vs Jabalpur
If your cause of action arises within the 13 districts served by the Indore Bench — file in Indore. You cannot choose to file in Jabalpur to avoid Indore. If the cause of action straddles districts across both benches, there may be a question of which bench has jurisdiction — we advise on this on a case-specific basis. For Supreme Court matters (SLP, appeal from High Court), all parties appear at New Delhi; Raghvendra has appeared before the Supreme Court and can handle matters that escalate beyond the MP High Court.
Related Reading: Related Reading: How Criminal Cases Are Handled in Indore · How to Apply for Anticipatory Bail in Madhya Pradesh · How to File a Writ Petition in the MP High Court
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I file a writ petition directly without first approaching the lower court?
Generally, the High Court does not entertain a writ petition if an adequate alternative remedy (appeal, revision, statutory authority) exists and has not been exhausted. However, this rule has important exceptions: if the impugned order is without jurisdiction; if there is a violation of natural justice; if there is a fundamental right violation; or if the alternative remedy would be an exercise in futility. We advise on whether to go to the High Court directly or exhaust the lower forums first.
My family member has been detained by police for over 24 hours without being produced before a Magistrate — is this illegal?
Yes. Section 57 of the BNSS 2023 (previously Section 57 CrPC) requires that any person arrested be produced before a Magistrate within 24 hours. Detention beyond 24 hours without production is unconstitutional and entitles the detainee to habeas corpus. A habeas corpus petition can be filed on the same day and the court typically hears it urgently. Contact us immediately — this is a time-sensitive matter.
My government department has not acted on my application for a license for 8 months — can the High Court make them act?
Yes — a writ of mandamus directs a public authority to perform a statutory duty it has failed to perform. The government must show under what authority it is refusing or delaying. Courts routinely issue mandamus in license and permission matters where the authority’s own rules require decision within a specified period.
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