Archive · 28 Aug 2026
MP High Court Upholds Mhow Board’s Rakhi Shop Relocation Decision
The Mhow Cantonment Board asked Rakhi sellers to move their shops away from MG Road.
It offered them places near the district court and food court.
The board said this would keep the busy road clear for traffic.
It also said electricity and other facilities would be available at the new locations.
One shopkeeper disagreed and said the move was unfair.
He also said shopkeepers accepted the new places under pressure.
The High Court said the traffic-management purpose was clear and could not be doubted.
The court therefore refused to cancel the board’s decision.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court upheld the Mhow Cantonment Board’s decision to shift Rakhi shops from MG Road.
Designated alternative locations were provided near the district court premises and the food court.
The Cantonment Board said the move aimed to keep busy MG Road open and reduce traffic congestion.
The shopkeeper argued that the relocation was motivated by mala fide intentions and that vendors accepted alternative spaces under pressure.
A division bench led by Justices Subodh Abhyankar and Alok Awasthi dismissed the appeal as devoid of merit.
- Who
- The Mhow Cantonment Board, Rakhi shopkeepers, and a Madhya Pradesh High Court division bench comprising Justices Subodh Abhyankar and Alok Awasthi.
- What
- The High Court upheld the decision to shift Rakhi shops from MG Road to designated alternative locations.
- When
- The board said notices had been issued since 2025; the original writ petition was rejected on August 21, followed by the appeal.
- Where
- Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, with alternative shops near the district court premises and the food court.
- Why
- The Cantonment Board said the relocation was intended to keep MG Road open and reduce traffic congestion.
Shopkeeper’s Position
Cantonment Board and Court’s Position
Reason for relocation
Shopkeeper’s Position
The appellant alleged that the action was motivated by mala fide intentions and followed earlier requests for shops on the MG Road footpath.
Cantonment Board and Court’s Position
The board said the relocation was part of efforts to keep MG Road open and reduce congestion, an objective the court said could not be doubted.
Acceptance of alternative shops
Shopkeeper’s Position
The appellant claimed that shopkeepers accepted the alternative allotments under pressure.
Cantonment Board and Court’s Position
The court noted that the writ petitioners, including the appellant, had accepted allotment of the alternative shops.
Suitability of new locations
Shopkeeper’s Position
The appellant challenged directions to shift to temporary food-court stalls and later notices concerning alleged changes in land use.
Cantonment Board and Court’s Position
The respondents said the designated locations offered electricity and other basic amenities and were being provided in the larger public interest.
- Court
- Madhya Pradesh High Court, Indore Bench
- Bench
- Justice Subodh Abhyankar and Justice Alok Awasthi
- Authority
- Mhow Cantonment Board
- Original location
- MG Road
- Alternative locations
- Near the district court premises and the food court
- Board’s stated reason
- Keeping MG Road open and free from traffic congestion
- Outcome
- Appeal dismissed as devoid of merit