In a striking commentary on the power dynamics within the judiciary, the Madhya Pradesh High Court has drawn a parallel between the hierarchical structure of the courts and the caste system, sparking widespread discussion and debate. A Division Bench of the High Court, comprising Justices Atul Sreedharan and Dinesh Kumar Paliwal, made the observation on July 14, 2025, while hearing a case regarding the termination of a former Additional District and Sessions Judge. The court was ruling on a petition filed by a former judge who was dismissed in 2014 for passing divergent bail orders in cases linked to the Vyapam scam. The High Court overturned the dismissal and ordered the restoration of his pension benefits, also imposing a cost of Rs 5 lakh on the state.

The core of the High Court's observation lies in its comparison of the relationship between the High Court and the District Judiciary to that of "savarnas" and "shudras". In the traditional Indian caste system, Savarnas represent the upper, privileged castes, while Shudras are placed at the bottom of the hierarchy. The court extended this analogy by likening the lower judiciary to "les misérables," a French term referring to the poor and marginalized. This comparison highlights the perceived power imbalance and the potential for exploitation within the judicial system.

The court asserted that the relationship between the District Judiciary and the High Court in the state is not based on mutual respect but rather on a consciously instilled sense of fear and inferiority. This environment, the court suggested, prevents the lower judiciary from dispensing justice effectively. The judges noted instances of district judiciary members personally attending to High Court judges, with the latter not even offering a seat, which, according to the court, perpetuates a colonial decadence with a sense of entitlement. The fear experienced by the District Judiciary is understandable, the court said, because abrupt termination by the High Court can leave judges and their families without pension and facing societal stigma.

The Madhya Pradesh High Court's observations raise critical questions about the internal dynamics of the Indian judicial system. The remarks underscore the need for a more equitable and respectful relationship between the higher and lower judiciary to ensure fair and effective dispensation of justice. The court's strong statement serves as a call for introspection and reform within the system, to address the alleged "feudal mindset" and promote a more egalitarian structure. The observations also brought to light the colonial undertones that still exist in the system. The High Court's decision to reinstate the terminated judge and award compensation further emphasizes the need to protect judicial officers from unjust treatment and to safeguard the independence of the judiciary.