The Bar Is Not Just a Building, It’s a Family of 6,968 Colleagues

September 14, 2026
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In a candid conversation, Senior Advocate Shri Mrigendra Singh, the newly elected President of the Madhya Pradesh High Court Bar Association, Jabalpur, spoke about his early life, his path into law, and the responsibilities he now carries as the head of an association representing 6,968 advocates.

From Shahdol to the High Court Bar

Born on 20 November 1968 in Shahdol, Mrigendra Singh grew up in a household steeped in public life. His father, R.N. Singh, served as a former Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh High Court and was also a sitting Member of Parliament, while his mother, Sushila Singh, served as the Mayor of Jabalpur. Growing up close to both society and the system, he says, naturally drew him toward law and public life.

He completed his early schooling in Jabalpur and Rewa, graduated in Biology from Science College, Jabalpur, and went on to earn his LLB and MA in History from Rani Durgavati University. He enrolled with the Bar Council in 1992 and has been active in the legal field ever since.

Despite his political family background, he chose law as his own path — a decision he says was entirely his own to make.

Cleaning the Bar Office First — On Purpose

One of the first steps Singh took after assuming office was initiating a cleanliness drive at the Bar office — a move he says was deliberate, not symbolic. “Change should be shown on the ground, not just spoken about,” he explained, adding that advocates spend hours at their workplace, and it deserves to be clean and well-organized.

Key Priorities for His Tenure

Singh outlined a wide-ranging agenda for the Bar Association, including:

  • Wi-Fi facilities for advocates
  • Expansion of the women advocates’ bar room and better facilities for junior/newer lawyers
  • A push for the long-pending Advocate Protection Act
  • Installing solar panels at the Bar office to promote sustainability and energy self-reliance
  • Repurposing the old Advocate General’s office for the Bar’s use
  • Working toward a permanent solution to the parking crisis at the High Court premises, including a proposal for underground parking
  • Improving the High Court website, with technical upgrades expected within 15–20 days

On Pending Cases and the Bar-Bench Relationship

Addressing concerns about the rising number of pending cases, Singh emphasized that judges are already working hard despite limited numbers, and that any decision on increasing judicial strength — at the High Court or Supreme Court level — rests with the relevant authorities. He was clear that the Bar and Bench are not separate entities but work as one team toward timely justice.

No Room for Comparison

When asked about his predecessors, Singh was diplomatic, saying there’s no real “challenge” from past leadership — every team has worked according to its time, and comparisons don’t serve the institution. What matters, he said, is moving the institution forward together.

His Vision for the Legacy of His Tenure

Singh was clear that he isn’t chasing personal credit. His goal, he said, is simple: by the end of his tenure, advocates should feel that facilities have genuinely improved, work has become easier, and the Bar is more organized than before. “The President’s chair isn’t what matters,” he said, “it’s the responsibility that comes with it.”