MP transport check posts stay closed for now:High Court issues stay on earlier directive

The Madhya Pradesh High Court on Monday stayed its earlier order directing the reopening of transport (RTO) check posts across the state, bringing immediate relief to transporters and halting the process of restarting the checkpoints. The Jabalpur Bench of the High Court had earlier, on April 16, 2026, ordered the state government to resume operations at all closed transport check posts within 30 days while hearing a contempt petition linked to overloading control and road safety. Justice Vishal Mishra’s single bench had observed that the state government’s June 30, 2024 order shutting down the check posts violated an earlier undertaking given before the court as well as a 2018 stay order. The court had stated that transport check posts were essential for ensuring road safety, preventing overloading, and enforcing transport regulations. High Court puts its earlier order on hold However, the High Court has now stayed the same order, effectively suspending all preparations to restart the check posts. The stay order was issued during the hearing of a review petition filed by Bhopal-based transporter Aman Bhonsle. The decision is believed to have come following appeals and petitions filed by affected stakeholders, including transporters and the state government. As a result, the reopening process has been halted with immediate effect. Check posts were shut down in July 2024 The inter-state transport check posts across Madhya Pradesh were shut down from July 1, 2024. At the time, the state government argued that removing the checkpoints would ease transportation operations and eliminate unnecessary inspections. Transport Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh had said in late April that the government intended to challenge the High Court’s reopening order and was seeking legal opinion on the matter. Transporters feared harassment and delays Transporters had expressed concern that reopening the check posts would increase overloading inspections and lead to alleged harassment and corruption. Several transport bodies had also warned of protests if the checkpoints were restored. With the latest stay order, transport operators have welcomed the court’s intervention. The transport department had reportedly begun drafting a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for operating the check posts, but the future of the system now remains uncertain. The state government is also expected to move a division bench in appeal. A final decision is likely during the next hearing. State government also opposing reopening Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh government is separately preparing to challenge the April 22 High Court order that directed the reopening of transport check posts. After receiving approval from the Law Department, the Advocate General appointed Deputy Advocate General Shreyas Raj Saxena to represent the state in the matter. According to the government, it stands with the transporters on the issue and does not support restarting the checkpoints. Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav had ordered the closure of the transport check posts in July 2024 after repeated complaints regarding corruption and harassment. The government has maintained that it has no intention of reviving them. Transport Commissioner Kiran Sharma has been appointed as the Investigating Officer (IO) for the appeal process on the Chief Minister’s instructions. Sharma and members of the state’s legal team are currently in Jabalpur for the proceedings. Transport body welcomes stay order Reacting to the High Court’s decision, CL Mukati, Chairman of the RTO Traffic Committee of the All India Motor Transport body, said the court had heard the concerns of vehicle owners and drivers across the state and country. He claimed that transport check posts had become “centres of corruption” and said the stay order would ensure smoother and hassle-free transportation operations in Madhya Pradesh. Mukati added that transporters and vehicle owners across the state were pleased that the High Court had reconsidered the earlier order and granted relief against the reopening of the checkpoints.