The Madhya Pradesh High Court has raised serious concerns over the increasing number of tiger deaths in the state, famously known as the “Tiger State”. The court questioned why tigers are not safe in a state that hosts the country’s largest tiger population. A public interest petition has been filed, claiming that 54 tigers died in 2025, and asserting that tiger body parts are being smuggled to Nepal and China after poaching. The petition also demands the construction of underbridges beneath railway tracks in Ratapani Tiger Reserve to prevent animal deaths. Court issues notice to centre, state, and NTCA The bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf heard the petition on Tuesday (January 20). The court issued notices to both the central and state governments, seeking their response. The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has also been served a notice. The next hearing is scheduled for February 11

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has taken serious notice of the severe shortage of teachers in government schools, which is affecting students’ education. A public interest petition has highlighted the issue, and during the hearing, the High Court expressed concern over the teacher shortage in the state. The court has asked the government to provide details of how many government schools exist in the state and how many teaching positions are vacant. The government has been asked to submit an affidavit in response. The next hearing is scheduled for February 24. Petition claims 102 schools have no teachers A petition was filed by farmer Lok Singh from Dindori, stating that it has been over 15 years since the Right to Education (RTE) Act was implemented. However, the state government has still failed to fulfil its legal duty to appoint teachers in many government schools. The petition states that 102 government schools are running without any teachers, while 499 schools are functioning with inadequate teaching staff. Advocate Rahul Deshmukh, representing the petitioner, told the court that the shortage of schools and teachers is putting students’ future at risk. When the court’s amicus curiae (friend of the court) requested that the petition be considered beyond just Dindori district, the division bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Vinay Saraf asked the government to clarify the total number of government schools in the state and the number of vacant teacher posts. Jabalpur schools also facing crisis Senior advocate Gulati told the court that 54 schools in Jabalpur alone are on the verge of closure due to teacher shortage. He urged the court to ask the government for the total number of vacant teaching posts in the state so that necessary court directions could be issued to fill them. Decline in student numbers in government schools According to data for the 2024–25 and 2025–26 academic sessions, student enrolment in many schools has been declining. Around 21,193 secondary schools in the state have fewer than 20 students. Similarly, about 8,533 schools are running with just one teacher. There is also a major shortage of physical education teachers. Only 700 teachers are available for nearly 92,000 schools. The UDISE report reveals that 20 schools have no teacher at all, while 4,128 schools have only one teacher. Additionally, 5,179 schools have fewer than 10 students. Compared to last year, 3.44 lakh fewer students enrolled in government schools this year, showing a continuous decline in annual admissions.

A sensation spread in Jabalpur on Thursday morning after a severed calf’s head was discovered on the road. Upon receiving the news, workers from a Hindu organisation rushed to the scene in large numbers and began protesting. Police teams from Madan Mahal and Gorakhpur stations also arrived promptly. The organisation’s workers have demanded the swift arrest of those responsible.

Union Minister and former BJP national president JP Nadda said that Bengalis are feeling unsafe in West Bengal and urged people to free the state from poor governance. He made these remarks during an event organised by the Bengali Club in Jabalpur, celebrating the club’s 100th anniversary. Nadda said, “A message must be sent from the land of Jabalpur to Bengal. Bengal also needs change. The Bengal that once led the country is now in trouble. The whole nation should stand with Bengal and help it overcome this crisis.” He expressed concern that Bengalis have started feeling insecure, calling it an irony and a sign of bad governance.

Senior eye specialist Dr. Hemlata Srivastava, who was previously posted at Jabalpur District Hospital, was forcibly taken away by some unknown people in their car. Upon learning of the incident, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) expressed serious concern and have written to the Collector and SP demanding strict action. The Madan Mahal police station has started investigation based on the complaint. According to IMA, retired doctor Hemlata Srivastava (72) lives alone in the posh Right Town area of the city. She owns more than 20 thousand square feet of land and a bungalow, which some people are reportedly eyeing. It is being reported that Dr. Hemlata’s mental and physical condition is also not good.

Jabalpur, Jan 23 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Friday that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led state government will provide full co-operation to Jabalpur-based Siddhi Bala Bose Library Association to run educational institution The Chief Minister made this announcement while addressing the centenary celebration of the Siddhi Bala Bose Library Association in Jabalpur, the ‘Sanskardhani’ (Cultural City) of Madhya Pradesh. Highlighting the historic journey of Siddhi Bala Bose Library Association in the presence of a large gathering of people from the Bengali community, Chief Minister Yadav highlighted its contribution in preserving the cultural values of West Bengal and Madhya Pradesh. During his address, the Chief Minister said that this historic library started a Girls Higher Secondary School in Jabalpur for last 95 years. “On this occasion, I would suggest that the City Library Club should start colleges as well. The Madhya Pradesh government will provide all kind of support for this purpose,” CM Yadav added. The Siddhi Bala Bose Library Association was established by Rai Bahadur Chandra Bose in 1925. Mentioning the names of legendary and renowned personalities from the Bengali community and their contribution for the country, including Subhas Chandra Bose, Swami Vivekananda, the Chief Minister also mentioned the contribution of City Library Club.

One worker died and two were critically injured when a section of an under-construction bridge over the Narmada River collapsed in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday night. The bridge was part of the city’s ring road project. Jabalpur: A tragic incident unfolded in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, late Sunday night when a segment of an under-construction bridge over the Narmada River collapsed in Lalpur. The accident claimed the life of one worker on the spot, while two others sustained serious injuries. They were immediately taken to the medical college hospital and are currently undergoing treatment. The bridge was part of the city’s ambitious ring road project. The incident triggered panic at the construction site as a heavy portion of the bridge structure gave way. According to eyewitnesses, the centring of a bridge pillar became unstable, leading to the collapse.