The Madhya Pradesh High Court at Jabalpur has disposed of a habeas corpus petition after counselling led to the person concerned agreeing to return with her parents.
The person was produced before the Division Bench in compliance with an earlier order. She was initially unwilling to go with her parents, who were also present before the Court. Following counselling, she agreed to return with them, while her parents assured the Court that they would not prevent her from pursuing further studies.
The order was passed by a Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal on September 8, 2026, in Writ Petition No. 24614 of 2026.
The proceedings concerned the production of the corpus before the Court. She was produced before the Bench by a Sub Inspector and a Lady Constable from Police Station Barhi, Tehsil Barhi, District Katni, in compliance with the Court’s order dated August 31, 2026.
The State placed its report before the Court. According to the report, the role of Mohd. Anees Khan was not found in the missing of the corpus, and the role of respondents Nos. 4 to 8 was also not found.
Although the person was present before the Court, she was initially unwilling to go with her parents, who were also present in person.
The Bench therefore directed that the person and her parents sit together and speak for two to three hours. The Secretary of the State Legal Services Authority was also directed to provide a mediator for the process.
The order records that counselling was subsequently conducted with the assistance of Advocate Smt. Nirmala Nayak.
“The corpus submits that she be permitted to do further studies, her parents will only take a decision for her betterment in future no outsider will interfere in their domestic matter. The parents are also present in person, they assure that they will not stop corpus to go for further studies and will take care of her interest in future.”
Following counselling, the person agreed to return with her parents. She also expressed before the Court that she should be permitted to continue her further studies.
Her parents, who were present before the Bench, assured the Court that they would not prevent her from pursuing further studies and would take care of her interests in the future. The order further records the assurance that no outsider would interfere in their domestic matters.
After recording the submissions and assurances made before it, the Madhya Pradesh High Court disposed of the writ petition.
The order was delivered by Acting Chief Justice Vivek Rusia and Justice Pradeep Mittal on September 8, 2026.
Case Title: Mahendra Soni v. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Others
Case Number: Writ Petition No. 24614 of 2026
Judges: Justice Vivek Rusia, Acting Chief Justice; Justice Pradeep Mittal
Decision Date: September 8, 2026
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