MP High Court Orders Station In-Charge To Plant 1k Fruit-Bearing Trees For Failing To Report Minor's Sexual Abuse

Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh): The Jabalpur Bench of Madhya Pradesh High Court has announced a unique punishment for a station in-charge for failing to serve a notice against repeated sexual abuse with a minor in the city. 

The court has ordered the police inspector to plant 1,000 fruit-bearing trees within 2 months and submit a report on the same with pictures. 

According to information, the court held the Station House Officer (SHO) of Kotwali Police Station in Satna Ravindra Dwivedi, guilty for not serving the notice as directed in the minor abuse case.

As a punishment, the High Court has ordered the plantation of 1,000 fruit trees such as mango, jamun, mahua, and guava in the Chitrakoot region.

Pointers from courts orders

The plantation must be finished between July 1 and August 31, 2025. The SHO was also directed to bear all the expenses from his personal income.

He must also submit GPS locations and photos of all the planted trees to the court and he is responsible for taking care of the trees for one year.

The compliance must include an affidavit from the Satna Superintendent of Police (SP).

Advocate Aarti Vishwakarma, lawyer of the survivor, welcomed the court's action and said it sends a strong message about accountability.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for September 16, 2025.