Madhya Pradesh High Court

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The Madhya Pradesh High Court, established on 2^nd November 1956, is an integral part of the Indian judicial system.
Its history is intertwined with the political and administrative changes that marked the reorganization of states in post-independence India.

Genesis:
- The genesis of the Madhya Pradesh High Court can be traced back to the amalgamation of various princely states and territories following India's independence in 1947.
- The Central Provinces and Berar, Madhya Bharat, Vindhya Pradesh, and Bhopal were among the regions that were combined to form the state of Madhya Pradesh in 1956. Prior to this reorganisation, these areas had different judicial setups.
Before Establishment:
- Before the establishment of the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Nagpur served as the principal seat of the High Court for the Central Provinces and Berar.
- However, with the creation of Madhya Pradesh, it became imperative to have a High Court that would cater specifically to the legal needs of the newly formed state.
Establishment of Madhya Pradesh High Court:
- Consequently, the Madhya Pradesh High Court was inaugurated in Jabalpur, a city centrally located in the state.

Principal Seat:
- The Madhya Pradesh High Court, with its principal seat in Jabalpur, exercises jurisdiction over the entire state of Madhya Pradesh.
- The state is geographically diverse, comprising urban centers, rural landscapes, and tribal areas.
Benches:
- Apart from its principal seat in Jabalpur, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has benches in Gwalior and Indore.
- These benches cater to the legal needs of the specific regions they serve, bringing justice closer to the people and reducing the burden on the principal seat.
- The creation of these benches has facilitated more accessible legal remedies for litigants in different parts of the state.
Wide Jurisdiction:
- The jurisdiction of the Madhya Pradesh High Court extends to a wide array of matters, including civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative cases.
- It has appellate jurisdiction over subordinate courts and tribunals in the state.
- The High Court also hears matters related to the violation of fundamental rights guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, making it a vital institution in upholding the rule of law.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court is structured to efficiently administer justice. It consists of a Chief Justice and several puisne judges appointed by the President of India.
The Chief Justice is the head of the High Court and is responsible for the overall administration of justice.
The High Court is divided into various divisions, each presided over by a division bench comprising two or more judges.
These divisions handle different types of cases and appeals.
The benches in Gwalior and Indore operate as separate units, each with its roster of cases.
The decentralized structure ensures that justice is dispensed promptly and efficiently.
In addition to the principal seat and the benches, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has district courts functioning under its jurisdiction.
These district courts are spread across the state and serve as trial courts for civil and criminal matters.
The hierarchical structure ensures that cases are heard at various levels, starting from the lowest courts and progressing to the High Court and, if necessary, to the Supreme Court of India.

e-Court Video in local Hindi language for litigants & Advocates.
e-Inauguration of Court Complexes in 2020.
Online e-Inauguration of Mediation Centers and Court Complexes in 2020.
The Chief Justice of the MP HC, Mr. Justice Mohammad Rafiq, inaugurated the mobile application and pagination system of the High Court through an online platform on 1^st March 2021.
- The event was attended by esteemed Judges of the High Court, the Advocate General, representatives from various Bar Associations of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh in Jabalpur, as well as from the Bench at Indore & Gwalior, and the Assistant Solicitor General.
On the 14^th of June 2021, the esteemed Dr. Justice D Y Chandrachud and the Chairperson of the e-Committee, Supreme Court of India, officially launched the Secure Wi-Fi project for the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, the National Service for tracking electronic processes in the District Judiciary, and the Implementation of CIS software with Land Records at the High Court of Madhya Pradesh, Jabalpur.
- This virtual inauguration took place in the distinguished presence of Chief Justice Hon’ble Shri Justice Mohammad Rafiq, Hon’ble Shri Justice Rohit Arya, Chairman of the Computer and e-Court Committee, members of the computer and e-Court Committee, and other esteemed Judges of the High Court.