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Know All About Patna High Court: History, Important Judgements and Key Facts

History of Patna High Court

The Patna High Court, established on 3rd February 1916, is the High Court of Bihar and one of India's oldest high courts. It was formally inaugurated by the then Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge, on 1st March 1916. The court was set up under the Government of India Act, 1915, when the need for a separate high court for Bihar and Orissa (now Odisha) was recognized.

1. Key Historical Milestones:

Formation and Early Days (1912-1916)

  • On 22nd March 1912, the province of Bihar and Orissa was carved out of Bengal.
  • The jurisdiction was initially under the Calcutta High Court.
  • The Patna High Court Act of 1915 led to its establishment on 3rd February 1916.

First Chief Justice and Judges

  • The first Chief Justice was Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier.
  • The court started functioning with six puisne judges.

Bihar and Orissa High Court (1916-1948)

  • Initially, it had jurisdiction over Bihar and Orissa.
  • After Odisha gained a separate high court in 1948, the Patna High Court became exclusive to Bihar.

Role in the Freedom Movement

  • Several landmark cases related to the Indian independence movement were heard.
  • Prominent lawyers like Dr. Rajendra Prasad (first President of India) and Sachchidananda Sinha were associated with the court.

Post-Independence Developments

  • After independence, the court expanded in structure and jurisdiction.
  • It played a crucial role in interpreting constitutional law in Bihar.

Centenary Celebrations (2016)

  • The Patna High Court completed 100 years in 2016.
  • The then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, attended the centenary celebrations.

Legacy and Importance:

  • The Patna High Court has been pivotal in shaping Bihar's legal and constitutional framework.
  • It has delivered numerous landmark judgments impacting governance, social justice, and human rights.

2. Patna High Courts important judgements passed till date

The Patna High Court has delivered several landmark judgments that have significantly impacted law and governance in Bihar and India. Below are some of the most important rulings:

1. Kameshwar Singh Case (1952) - Abolition of Zamindari System

  • This case challenged the Bihar Land Reforms Act, 1950, which aimed to abolish the zamindari system.
  • The Patna High Court initially struck down the Act as unconstitutional, but later, the Supreme Court upheld the law after constitutional amendments.
  • This ruling played a key role in land reform across India.

2. Anjana Mishra Gangrape Case (1999) - Women’s Safety

  • A significant case related to women's rights and justice.
  • The Patna High Court took serious note of the police inaction and ordered a CBI investigation, leading to the conviction of the accused.
  • This case highlighted issues of violence against women in Bihar.

3. RJD Leaders’ Corruption Cases - Fodder Scam (1996-2017)

  • The Fodder Scam involved fraudulent withdrawals of government funds meant for cattle fodder.
  • The Patna High Court ordered a CBI investigation, which later led to multiple convictions, including that of former Chief Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.
  • This was a historic anti-corruption ruling in Bihar politics.

4. Nitish Kumar’s Resignation Case (2014) - Political Stability

  • The High Court played a role in governance disputes when Nitish Kumar resigned as Bihar CM in 2014.
  • It examined constitutional provisions related to the Governor’s role in government formation.

5. Bihar Liquor Ban Case (2016) - Prohibition Law

  • The Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016, banning alcohol in the state, was challenged.
  • The Patna High Court initially struck down the law, but the Bihar government reintroduced it with amendments.
  • This ruling sparked debates on individual rights vs. state control.

6. Muzaffarpur Shelter Home Case (2018) - Child Rights

  • A horrific case of sexual abuse in a government-run shelter home in Muzaffarpur was exposed.
  • The Patna High Court ordered a CBI investigation and directed strict action against the accused.
  • This ruling emphasized accountability in government institutions.

7. Covid-19 Healthcare Crisis (2021) - Right to Health

  • The court took suo motu cognizance of the collapse of medical infrastructure in Bihar during the pandemic.
  • It directed the government to improve hospital facilities, oxygen supply, and patient care.
  • This judgment reaffirmed healthcare as a fundamental right.

3. List Chief Justice of Patna High Court

Chief Justice

Start of term

End of term

K. Vinod Chandran

29 March 2023

Incumbent

Sanjay Karol

11 November 2019

5 February 2023

Amreshwar Pratap Sahi

17 November 2018

10 November 2019

Mukesh Shah

12 August 2018

1 November 2018

Rajendra Menon

15 March 2017

8 August 2018

Iqbal Ahmed Ansari

29 July 2016

28 October 2016

L. Narasimha Reddy

2 January 2015

31 July 2015

Rekha Manharlal Doshit

21 June 2010

12 December 2014

Dipak Misra

23 December 2009

20 June 2010

Prafulla Kumar Mishra

12 August 2009

16 September 2009

R.M. Lodha

13 April 2008

16 December 2008

Rajesh Balia

5 January 2008

3 March 2008

Dr. J.N. Bhatt

18 July 2005

16 October 2007

Ravi S. Dhavan

25 January 2000

22 July 2004

B.M. Lal

9 July 1997

6 October 1999

D.P. Wadhwa

29 September 1995

21 March 1997

G.P. Patnaik

19 May 1995

11 September 1995

K. Venkataswamy

19 September 1994

6 March 1995

K. S. Paripoornan

24 January 1994

11 June 1994

Bimal Chandra Basak

18 March 1991

21 October 1994

Gangadhar Ganesh Sohani

24 October 1989

17 December 1990

Shushil Kumar Jha

19 October 1989

23 October 1989

Dipak Kumar Sen

1 May 1988

1 May 1989

Bhagwati Prasad Jha

2 January 1988

2 January 1988

Surjit Singh Sandhawalia

29 November 1983

27 July 1987

Krishna Ballabh Narayan Singh

19 July 1976

12 March 1982

Shyam Nandan Prasad Singh

3 October 1974

1 May 1976

Nand Lall Untwalia

29 September 1972

3 October 1974

Ujjal Narayan Sinha

5 September 1970

29 September 1972

Satish Chandra Mishra

9 November 1968

5 September 1970

Ramaswamy Lakshmi Narasimhan

4 January 1965

2 August 1968

Vaidyanathier Ramaswami

30 April 1956

4 January 1965

Sudhansu Kumar Das

10 January 1955

30 April 1956

Syed Jafar Imam

3 September 1953

10 January 1955

David Ezra Reuben

1 June 1952

2 September 1953

Pandit Lakshami Kant Jha

8 April 1950

1 June 1952

Sir Herbert Ribton Meredith

25 January 1950

8 April 1950

Sir Clifford Monmohan Agarwala

9 January 1948

24 January 1950

Sir Syed Fazl Ali

19 January 1943

14 October 1946

Sir Arther Trevor Harries

10 October 1938

19 January 1943

Sir Courtney Terrell

31 March 1928

6 May 1938

Sir Thomas Fredrick Dawson Miller

31 October 1917

31 March 1928

Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier

1 March 1916

30 October 1917

 


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