Habeas Corpus Heard: MP High Court Summons State to Produce Woman Taken Off Train Bound for Delhi Protest

Jabalpur Bench orders the police to bring the detained woman before the Court, as her sibling alleges custodial assault and an undisclosed place of detention

(Judicial Quest News Network)

Jabalpur, October 9, 2026-The Madhya Pradesh High Court has called upon the State to answer for the whereabouts of a woman who was taken into police custody at Itarsi Junction while travelling by train from Pune to Delhi. She was reportedly on her way to take part in the CJP protests directed against the Chief Election Commissioner.

A Division Bench of the Jabalpur Bench, comprising Chief Justice Alpesh Y. Kogje and Justice Vivek Jain, issued notice on the habeas corpus petition and directed the State to produce the detenue (the “corpus”) before the Court. The matter will next be heard on October 13, 2026.

Flexibility granted to the State

The Bench allowed the State some latitude in complying. It may produce the woman before the Court earlier than the returnable date, provided it gives prior notice to the opposing side. The Court also left it open to the State to arrange for her safe return to her family, which suggests the Bench is looking to resolve the matter quickly if the circumstances permit.

The allegations before the Court

The petition was moved by the detenue’s sibling, who claims that she was physically assaulted by the police.

The petitioner further alleges that since October 8, 2026, she has been held at a location that has not been disclosed to the family.

The allegations are yet to be tested. The State’s response, and the woman’s own account if she is produced, will be before the Bench on the next date of hearing.

Why it matters

A habeas corpus petition is among the oldest and most potent constitutional remedies, designed to ensure that no person is held without lawful authority and that the State can be made to account for anyone in its custody. By directing the State to produce the woman, the High Court has put the legality of her detention under judicial scrutiny.

All eyes now turn to October 13.