MP High Court Stays Teacher’s Suspension Over Mimicry of PM Narendra Modi on LPG Prices

(By Syed Ali Taher Abedi)

Jabalpur: The Madhya Pradesh High Court has stayed the suspension of a government primary school teacher from Shivpuri district who was placed under suspension for allegedly posting a video mimicking Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the context of rising LPG prices.

The order was passed by Justice Ashish Shroti, who took note of apparent procedural irregularities in the manner the suspension was imposed.

The Court observed that the District Education Officer (DEO) acted in haste and failed to consider the State Government’s instructions governing suspension of public servants.

According to the record, the teacher, identified as Purohit, was suspended on March 13 shortly after BJP MLA Pritam Lodhi sought action against him.

The suspension order alleged that the teacher had uploaded an “objectionable video” with the intent to disturb public order and tarnish the image of the Education Department.

However, the petitioner, represented by Advocate Krishna Kartikey Sharma, challenged the suspension before the High Court, contending that the video did not contain any material capable of causing societal disturbance.

It was further argued that the content was contextual and related to the prevailing concerns over LPG availability amid ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, the United States, and Israel.

The State, on the other hand, argued that judicial review of a suspension order is limited in scope and that suspension, being a temporary measure, does not amount to punishment.

Rejecting a blanket justification of the action, the Court underscored that as per the State’s 2005 guidelines, a government employee may be placed under suspension only when a major penalty is contemplated.

It cautioned against what it termed a “suspension syndrome,” emphasizing that suspension cannot be resorted to as a routine or mechanical exercise.

Significantly, the Court noted that the impugned order appeared to have been passed “in haste” and possibly under external influence, without independent application of mind by the competent authority.

Setting aside the suspension order, the High Court remitted the matter back to the DEO for fresh consideration in accordance with law, directing that due regard be given to the applicable government instructions before taking any decision.

The ruling highlights the judiciary’s continued scrutiny of administrative actions impacting public servants, particularly in cases intersecting with issues of free expression and proportionality in disciplinary measures.