In a significant relief for senior medical officers in Madhya Pradesh, the Indore Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court has set aside the state government's order retiring Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) Dr. Madhav Prasad Hasani at the age of 62, ruling that he is entitled to continue in service until the age of 65.

Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, while hearing the matter, held that Dr. Hasani falls within the category of medical officers eligible for the enhanced retirement age and directed that he be allowed to remain in service up to 65 years.

Retirement Order Challenged

Dr. Hasani had approached the High Court challenging the state government's order dated January 30, 2026, under which he was scheduled to retire on July 31, 2026, after attaining the age of 62.

In his petition, he argued that he had joined government service as a contractual Rural Medical Officer in 1999 and his services were regularised in 2005. He contended that he had continuously served in clinical healthcare before later being assigned administrative responsibilities, including the posts of Chief Block Medical Officer and CMHO.

Reference to Earlier Judgments

The petitioner maintained that the Madhya Pradesh government had already increased the retirement age of medical officers to 65 years to address the shortage of experienced doctors in public healthcare.

His counsel also relied on previous High Court judgments, including the case of Dr. Kantilal Sahu, where similarly placed medical officers were granted the benefit of the enhanced retirement age.

State Government's Stand

Opposing the petition, the state government argued that the benefit of retirement at 65 years is subject to specific conditions prescribed under the applicable service rules. According to the government, Dr. Hasani did not satisfy all the eligibility criteria required to claim the extended service period.

Court Recognises Continuous Medical Service

After examining the submissions from both sides, the High Court observed that Dr. Hasani had been rendering medical services continuously since 1999 and that the facts of his case were substantially similar to those decided in earlier judgments.

The court further noted that the government's decision to increase the retirement age of medical officers was intended to ensure the continued availability of experienced doctors in the state's healthcare system.

Holding that the January 30 retirement order was legally unsustainable, the court quashed the order and directed that Dr. Hasani be permitted to continue in service until he attains the age of 65.

Relief Granted

With the petition allowed, the High Court has directed the Madhya Pradesh government to take all necessary administrative steps to implement the order and ensure Dr. Hasani continues in service in accordance with the revised retirement age.

The ruling is expected to serve as an important precedent for similarly placed medical officers seeking the benefit of the state's enhanced retirement policy.