‘Suspension Syndrome’ cannot justify action: HC stays teacher’s suspension over Mimicry of Narendra Modi

Recently, in a significant free speech-adjacent service law dispute, the Madhya Pradesh High Court stepped in to examine the legality of a swift suspension imposed on a government school teacher accused of posting a satirical video mimicking Narendra Modi over rising LPG prices. The Court scrutinised whether administrative authorities had acted with independent application of mind or merely responded to political prompting, raising deeper concerns about routine suspensions being used as a reflexive tool rather than a reasoned disciplinary measure.

The controversy began when Saket Kumar Purohit, a primary school teacher, uploaded a video referencing LPG shortages allegedly linked to the Israel-Iran conflict. Shortly thereafter, a local MLA wrote to the authorities seeking action, and on the very same day, the District Education Officer issued a suspension order alleging misconduct and damage to the department’s image. Counsel for the petitioner argued that the video contained no objectionable content and that the action was mechanical, triggered under political pressure without any inquiry. The State, however, defended the move, contending that suspension is not a punishment and falls outside strict judicial review.

Justice Ashish Shroti found the sequence of events troubling, observing a clear lack of independent evaluation by the authority. The Court reiterated, “an employee cannot be placed under suspension in a routine manner as part of a ‘suspension syndrome’.” Emphasising that the mere existence of power does not legitimise its arbitrary exercise, the Court noted that the order was passed “in haste” and without considering mandatory government guidelines requiring the likelihood of a major penalty. It further underlined that such decisions remain open to judicial review if tainted by non-application of mind or arbitrariness.

Consequently, the Court stayed the operation of the suspension order and directed reconsideration by the competent authority with due application of mind.

Case Title: Saket Kumar Purohit Vs. The State of Madhya Pradesh and Ors

Case No.: Writ Petition No. 10356 of 2026

Coram: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Ashish Shroti

Advocate for the Petitioner: Adv. Krishna Kartikey Sharma 

Advocate for the Respondent: GA Brij Mohan Patel

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