Madhya Pradesh High Court Flags Contempt Over Closure Of Check Posts, Grants State 30 Days To Comply

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has pulled up state authorities for failing to honour undertakings given before the court in a public interest litigation concerning overloading of vehicles, observing that such conduct prima facie amounts to disobedience of judicial orders and may attract contempt.

In a recent order passed on April 16, 2026, Justice Vishal Mishra granted the government a final opportunity to comply, directing restoration of all check posts that had been shut despite earlier assurances to the court.

The contempt petition was filed by Rajneesh Tripathi alleging non-compliance of directions issued in a long-standing PIL addressing the menace of overloaded trucks across the state. Represented by advocates Jubin Prasad and Bhanu Prakash, the petitioner argued that the state had taken a complete volte-face after giving categorical undertakings before the court regarding enforcement measures, including the operation of check posts to regulate vehicular overloading.

Counsel for the respondents, Ms. Anjali Mishra, submitted that alternative mechanisms had been put in place to curb overloading and ensure road safety, and therefore no contempt was made out.

The background of the dispute traces back to a batch of petitions highlighting the widespread issue of overloaded vehicles causing damage to public infrastructure, increased accidents, and environmental harm. The High Court had, in its earlier proceedings, taken note of affidavits and status reports filed by the state indicating a structured plan to address the issue, including continuous monitoring through inter-state check posts. On the basis of these undertakings, the PIL was disposed of in January 2023, with the court recording satisfaction that appropriate measures were being taken under the Motor Vehicles Act and relevant rules.

However, the controversy resurfaced when, in June 2024, the state authorities issued orders closing all inter-state check posts, prompting allegations that the assurances given to the court had been breached. The petitioner contended that these check posts were the most effective mechanism to regulate overloading and that their closure not only undermined road safety but also violated explicit undertakings made before the court. It was further argued that such conduct constituted “gross disobedience” and warranted contempt action.

Examining the matter, the High Court underscored the settled legal position that undertakings given to a court are not mere formalities but carry binding force. The bench observed that failure to adhere to such undertakings would fall within the ambit of contempt. The court noted, “the undertaking given before the Court, if not followed, amounts to disobedience of the order passed by the Court,” thereby reinforcing the seriousness of the state’s obligation.

Importantly, the court also pointed out that an earlier decision to close check posts had been stayed in 2018, making the subsequent closure all the more problematic. The explanation offered by the authorities, citing alternative enforcement mechanisms, was found unsatisfactory in light of the prior undertakings and subsisting judicial directions.

Despite these findings, the High Court stopped short of initiating immediate coercive action, choosing instead to extend a final opportunity to the state. In a measured approach, the court directed the respondents to implement the undertakings in letter and spirit and to restore all closed check posts within 30 days. It clarified that while the authorities are free to adopt additional or alternative methods to curb overloading, compliance with assurances given to the court remains non-negotiable.

The order further provides that failure to comply within the stipulated time would entitle the petitioner to revive contempt proceedings, thereby keeping the threat of stricter judicial action alive.

Case Title: Rajneesh Tripathi v. Manish Singh IAS and Others

Date of Order: April 16, 2026

Bench: Justice Vishal Mishra