Mandsaur Farmer Protest Shooting| Supreme Court Issues Notice In Plea Seeking Tabling Of Jain Commission Report Before MP Assembly
The Supreme Court today (March 24) agreed to consider the challenge against the Madhya Pradesh High Court's refusal to direct the production of the Jain Commission Report regarding the 2017 Mandsaur protest shootings before the assembly
Mar 25, 2025, 05:25 IST
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta issued notice in a plea challenging the order of the Madhya Pradesh High Court which dismissed a petition seeking tabling of the Jain Commission report on the 2017 Mandsaur farmer shooting incident before the legislative assembly.
The Supreme Court of India has issued a notice concerning a plea that challenges the Madhya Pradesh High Court's decision not to mandate the presentation of the Jain Commission Report—which investigates the 2017 Mandsaur farmer protest shootings—before the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
Background of the 2017 Mandsaur Incident:
In June 2017, farmers in Mandsaur, Madhya Pradesh, protested against government policies and pricing issues. The demonstrations escalated, resulting in police firing that led to the deaths of five farmers and injuries to several others. In response, the state government established a commission led by Justice J.K. Jain to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Jain Commission Report:
The Jain Commission submitted its findings to the Madhya Pradesh government in June 2018. However, the report has not been presented before the state legislative assembly, as mandated by Section 3(4) of the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952, which requires such reports to be laid before the legislature within six months of submission.
Legal Proceedings:
A petitioner approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court seeking a directive for the state government to table the Jain Commission Report in the assembly. The High Court dismissed the petition, noting:
No assembly member had demanded the report.
The six-month period stipulated by the Act had long expired.
The Act does not specify consequences for failing to present the report within the prescribed timeframe.
Challenging this decision, the petitioner escalated the matter to the Supreme Court, which has now issued a notice to the respondents, indicating its willingness to examine the issue further.
Political Reactions:
The opposition Congress Party has been vocal about the delay in tabling the report. On the sixth anniversary of the Mandsaur incident, Congress leaders demanded justice for the deceased farmers and called for the immediate publication of the Jain Commission's findings.
Current Status:
With the Supreme Court's notice, the case gains renewed attention, potentially compelling the Madhya Pradesh government to address the long-pending issue of the Jain Commission Report's disclosure. The outcome may have significant implications for transparency and accountability in handling such inquiries.