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HC dismisses pleas against 27% OBC quota in MP: ‘Challenged executive order, not amendment’

There are multiple petitions still pending before the High Court, both for and against the increase in OBC reservation, and the court is yet to decide on these.

gavel Madhya Pradesh High Court dismisses petitions challenging 27% OBC quota.

A similar ruling was made in another petition, where the petitioner challenged the September 2, 2021, executive instruction without questioning the legislative amendment that raised the OBC reservation percentage. (Pixabay)

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has dismissed two petitions challenging an executive instruction related to 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs), ruling that the petitions were “not maintainable” as they failed to challenge the underlying amendment that increased the quota.

The petitioners in the case did not challenge the amendment itself, but rather the consequential executive instruction issued on September 2, 2021, regarding its implementation, the court said.

There are multiple petitions still pending before the High Court, both for and against the increase in OBC reservation, and the court is yet to decide on these.

The High Court bench of Justice Suresh Kumar Kait and Justice Vivek Jain noted: “The present petitioner/political party has not challenged the amendment carried out by the Legislation in the M.P. Lok Seva (Anusuchit Jatiyon, Anusuchit Jan Jatiyon Aur Anya Pichhade Vargon Ke Liya Arakshan) Sanshodhan Adhiniyam, 2019, whereby reservation for OBC has been enhanced to 27% but has only challenged the consequential administrative order/executive instructions dated 02.09.2021.”

The court reiterated: “Since, in the present petition, there is no challenge to the amendment Act but only to the consequential executive instruction, the present petition is not maintainable, it is hereby dismissed.”

Former chief minister Kamal Nath saw this as a “victory for Congress policies”, recalling that in March 2019, during his tenure, his government had implemented the 27% reservation for the OBC community in Madhya Pradesh.

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He said the High Court’s decision reaffirmed the “correctness of his government’s move” and urged the current administration to “immediately enforce the 27% OBC reservation at all levels”.

Advocate Rohan Harne, who appeared for one of the petitioners, said: “There are many petitions still pending before the court. We had challenged the administrative order.”

Sports, and Youth Welfare Minister Vishwas Kailash Sarang said “court order referenced in Kamal Nath’s tweet pertains only to the rejection of a circular, not the core issue of 27% OBC reservation, which remains under judicial review.”

“Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, is committed to granting 27% reservation to OBCs and is presenting its case with full determination in court to safeguard OBC interests,” he said.

Anand Mohan J

Anand Mohan J is an award-winning Senior Correspondent for The Indian Express, currently leading the bureau’s coverage of Madhya Pradesh. With a career spanning over eight years, he has established himself as a trusted voice at the intersection of law, internal security, and public policy. Based in Bhopal, Anand is widely recognized for his authoritative reporting on Maoist insurgency in Central India. In late 2025, he provided exclusive, ground-level coverage of the historic surrender of the final Maoist cadres in Madhya Pradesh, detailing the backchannel negotiations and the "vacuum of command" that led to the state being declared Maoist-free. Expertise and Reporting Beats Anand’s investigative work is characterized by a "Journalism of Courage" approach, holding institutions accountable through deep-dive analysis of several key sectors: National Security & Counter-Insurgency: He is a primary chronicler of the decline of Naxalism in the Central Indian corridor, documenting the tactical shifts of security forces and the rehabilitation of surrendered cadres. Judiciary & Legal Accountability: Drawing on over four years of experience covering Delhi’s trial courts and the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Anand deconstructs complex legal rulings. He has exposed critical institutional lapses, including custodial safety violations and the misuse of the National Security Act (NSA). Wildlife Conservation (Project Cheetah): Anand is a leading reporter on Project Cheetah at Kuno National Park. He has provided extensive coverage of the biological and administrative hurdles of rewilding Namibian and South African cheetahs, as well as high-profile cases of wildlife trafficking. Public Health & Social Safety: His recent investigative work has uncovered systemic negligence in public services, such as contaminated blood transfusions causing HIV infections in thalassemia patients and the human cost of the fertilizer crisis affecting rural farmers. Professional Background Tenure: Joined The Indian Express in 2017. Locations: Transitioned from the high-pressure Delhi City beat (covering courts, police, and labor issues) to his current role as a regional lead in Madhya Pradesh. Notable Investigations: * Exposed the "digital arrest" scams targeting entrepreneurs. Investigated the Bandhavgarh elephant deaths and the impact of kodo millet fungus on local wildlife. Documented the transition of power and welfare schemes (like Ladli Behna) in Madhya Pradesh governance. Digital & Professional Presence Author Profile: Anand Mohan J at Indian Express Twitter handle: @mohanreports ... Read More

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