Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh: A courageous young girl from Bhopal, who left home at the age of 17 and a half to pursue her dream of becoming an IAS officer, has received support from the Madhya Pradesh High Court after facing pressure from her father to marry and halt her studies. The court has directed that if the girl does not get a conducive environment to study at home, the administration will make arrangements for her to stay outside and continue her education.
Teen Leaves Home Amid Parental Pressure
The case revolves around a teenager from the Bajaria area of Bhopal, who left her home in January 2025 and moved to Indore. The girl alleged that her father was not allowing her to continue her studies and was pressuring her into marriage, subjecting her to alleged harassment. Frustrated, she left home and began living independently in Indore, supporting herself with a private company job while simultaneously attending coaching classes to prepare for the Civil Services Examination (UPSC).
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Family Files Missing Person Report
Her family had filed a missing person report, but months passed without any trace of the girl. Subsequently, her father filed a habeas corpus petition in the Jabalpur High Court seeking her return. During the proceedings, the High Court directed the police to locate the girl. After 10 months, the police traced her in Indore, where she was living independently, working, and preparing for her IAS exams.
Police Bring Girl to Bhopal
According to Bajaria Police Station In-charge Shilpa Kaurav, the girl had recently turned 18 and updated her mobile number in her Aadhaar card, which helped the police track her location. She was then brought from Indore to Bhopal by the police. Following her disappearance, her father had taken the girl’s three siblings and her mother back to their native village in Bihar, discontinuing their education.
Girl Refuses to Return Home
When authorities attempted to reunite her with her family, the teenager firmly refused, stating her determination to become an IAS officer. She revealed that she had begun preparing for the UPSC exams while still in school and wished to continue pursuing her goal without interference.
High Court Hearing and Interim Orders
The girl was produced before the Jabalpur High Court on November 5, 2025, during the hearing of the habeas corpus petition. The bench of Chief Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva and Justice Atul Shridharan heard her plea to not be sent back with her father. Her father assured the court that he would not harass her and requested her return home.
The court, after hearing both sides, directed that she could stay with her parents for four to five days to assess whether the environment was suitable for her studies. If the environment was not conducive, the District Collector will be ordered to ensure arrangements for her to stay outside and continue her education uninterrupted.
The next hearing is scheduled for November 12, 2025, during which the High Court is expected to make a final decision regarding the girl’s future.
A Remarkable Story of Determination
This case highlights the determination of a young girl willing to face family opposition and societal pressure to pursue her aspirations. Her story has drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding the educational and personal rights of minors, particularly young women aspiring for careers in civil services and other competitive fields.
