The High Court of Madhya Pradesh has ordered a stay on removal of Anand Ahirwar and Pradeep Ahirwar as the Chairman and Member of the MP Scheduled Castes’ Commission respectively. 

The petitions filed by Anand Ahirwar and Pradeep Ahirwar challenged the government order dated March 24th 2020, by which they were removed from their respective posts of the MP Scheduled Castes’ Commission. According to the petitioners, the order was contrary to the provisions and was issued under political pressure. The petitioners also contended that they were not provided with an opportunity of being heard. 

The Court, while ordering a stay on the effect and operation of the impugned order, has directed the State to file its reply in two weeks. 

A single judge bench comprising of Justice however recused herself from hearing the petition of another Congress leader Shobha Oza who had challenged her removal from MP Women’s Commission, and has directed a different bench to hear her case. 

Former MP Chief Minister Kamal Nath had appointed certain people to various state commissions including Scheduled Castes’ Commission and Womens’ Commission. These appointments were however cancelled once the BJP government came to power in the State on March 23rd, and the same were being challenged in these petitions.

-India Legal Bureau