High Court
Patna High Court
Patna
The Patna High Court was established in 1916. It has jurisdiction over the state of Bihar.
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News & Updates Published
Order
Individuals Not Charge-Sheeted Can Be Summoned To Face Trial If Evidence Establishes Their Involvement In Offence: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a recent case, has provided an important judgment regarding the exercise of the power of summoning additional accused under Section 319 of the Criminal Procedure Code (Cr.PC). This decision addresses the scope and application of the provisions and how courts should approach the summoning of…
Order
Cognizance of Offense Under Section 188 IPC Requires Complaint by Public Servant, Not FIR, Court Quashes Magistrate’s Order: Patna High Court
In a recent judgment, the Patna High Court dealt with a case where the police had registered an FIR based on a written report regarding the violation of Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The issue at hand was whether the police were justified in registering the FIR and whether the magistrate could take…
Order
Court Dismisses Bid to Quash Dowry and Cruelty Charges: Triple Talaq via Email Can't Escape the Law: Patna High Court
In a recent judgment delivered by the Patna High Court on December 4, 2024, a petition filed by Aamir Karim, challenging the order of the Judicial Magistrate, Darbhanga, was dismissed. The case centers around an FIR lodged by Nazia Hasan Syed, the petitioner’s wife, alleging cruelty and dowry harassment under Section…
Order
Engineer’s Dismissal Over Alleged False Caste Certificate Quashed; Penalty Premature Without Certificate Cancellation: Patna High Court
In a significant judgment delivered by the Patna High Court, the case of Rajive Nandan Mourya has raised critical questions about the validity of caste and domicile certificates and the due process for disciplinary action against government employees. The appellant, Rajive Nandan Mourya, was employed by the Water…
Order
Accused Acquitted in Rape and POCSO Case, Benefit of Doubt Granted: Patna High Court
In a significant ruling delivered on November 28, 2024, the Patna High Court acquitted Mukesh Kumar, who had been convicted by the Special Judge (POCSO) in Darbhanga for sexual assault and related offenses under the Indian Penal Code and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The appeal,…
Order
Criminal Appeals Arising from Same Judgment Must Be Heard Together by Division Bench: Patna High Court
In a significant ruling, the Patna High Court recently clarified that when multiple criminal appeals arise from the same trial court judgment, one involving a sentence of more than ten years and another with a lesser sentence, both appeals must be heard by a Division Bench. The judgment ensures consistency and…
Order
Five-Year Limitation for Seeking Compassionate Appointment Begins from Date of Cause of Action: Patna High Court
In a recent judgment, the Patna High Court ruled on a matter related to compassionate appointment under the Bihar Government Rules, where the appellant challenged the delay in seeking appointment to the post of constable after his father's death. The case highlights the complexities of time limits in government…
Order
Sexagenarian Released After 10 Years Due to Conviction Under Wrong POCSO Provision; Victim's Compensation Enhanced: Patna High Court
In a landmark ruling, the Patna High Court has ordered the release of a man in his sixties who was previously convicted by a Sessions Court for the rape of his 12-year-old niece. The court held that the Sessions Court had incorrectly applied a provision of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act,…
Order
Rape Accused Acquitted Due to Unreliable Testimony of Victim: Patna High Court
In a significant ruling, the Patna High Court acquitted an accused in a rape case, noting that the victim's testimony was unreliable and failed to inspire confidence in the court. The court emphasized that while a conviction can be based solely on the testimony of the prosecutrix, such a conviction requires that the…
Order
Recovery of Excess Payment from Lower-Rung Employees Violates Article 14,Court Imposes ₹5 Lakh Penalty on Child Development Project Officer: Patna High Court
In a crucial judgment, the Patna High Court has ruled that recovering excess payments from employees in lower service tiers, such as Class-III and Class-IV staff, is unjust and burdensome, especially when it causes more hardship to the employee than any benefit to the employer. The ruling came in response to a writ…
Order
Withholding Rape Victim's Medico Legal Report Raises Adverse Presumption Against Prosecution Case Court Acquits Life Convict After 12 Yrs: Patna High Court
In a recent judgment by the Patna High Court, the conviction of an individual for the crime of rape under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) has been upheld, while acquitting him of charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. The case involved Mantu Yadav as…
Order
Intervenor Cannot Demand to Be Made a Party in Partition Suit Based on Unregistered Gift Deed: Patna High Court
In a recent ruling, the Patna High Court addressed a dispute regarding the impleadment of an intervenor in a partition suit. The petitioners, Suman Kumar and others, had filed a partition suit seeking a one-third share of the family property. During the course of the proceedings, an intervenor, identified as…
Judgment
Expunges DM’s Remark Against Scholar Alleging ‘Mentality to Harass SC/ST Persons’, Warns Against Personal Comments: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has removed personal remarks made against Dr. Dev Narayan Jha by the District Magistrate, Sitamarhi, while refusing to interfere with the orders concerning a drainage dispute. The judgment was delivered by Justice Alok Kumar on 18 September 2026 in Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 6198 of 2024.…
Judgment
498A Case Against Husband Quashed After 'Dead' Wife Turns Up Alive in Mumbai: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has delivered a landmark judgment by quashing criminal proceedings against a man accused of dowry harassment under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. This decision was taken after it was revealed that the wife, who was believed to have died by her family’s claim, was actually alive and…
Judgment
‘No Arrest at Summons Stage’ in Love, Sex and Blackmail Allegation Case Under BNS and IT Act, Anticipatory Bail Bench Shocked: Patna High Court
The case originated from Complaint Case No. 9811 of 2024 pending before the court, where allegations were made against Golu Kumar. The complaint included serious accusations related to sexual relationship on the promise of marriage, alleged physical relations, and capturing of objectionable photographs. Based on these…
Judgment
PIL on RTI Backlog Deferred, Update Sought After Supreme Court Hearing: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court considered an important public interest litigation highlighting delays in disposal of RTI matters in the State of Bihar. The case focused on the functioning of authorities under the Right to Information Act 2005 and the growing backlog of appeals. Background of the Petition The petition was filed…
Judgment
Blanket Denial of Public Employment to Persons Named in FIR Violates Fairness: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court delivered an important judgment safeguarding the rights of job candidates in public employment. The Court ruled that merely being named in an FIR cannot be a ground to deny appointment and emphasized protection under Article 14 Constitution of India and Article 16 Constitution of India. Background…
Judgment
Anticipatory Bail Granted Under Section 438 CrPC, IPC, SC/ST Act and POCSO Act: Patna High Court
On 23 October 2024, the High Court of Judicature at Patna delivered a significant order in Criminal Miscellaneous No. 74057 of 2024 in the matter of Ranjit Kumar versus The State of Bihar and Kariman Rai. The case was heard by Honourable Justice Chandra Prakash Singh. The matter pertains to anticipatory bail in…
Judgment
Anticipatory Bail Granted Under Section 14A(2) of SC/ST Act in Cheque Bounce and Alleged Job Fraud Case: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court on 25 February 2026 passed an order in CRIMINAL APPEAL (SJ) No.818 of 2025 and CRIMINAL APPEAL (SJ) No.1338 of 2025 titled Ramashray Yadav @ Hridyanandan Singh VERSUS The State of Bihar and Mukesh Kumar VERSUS The State of Bihar. The matter was heard by Justice Praveen Kumar. Both appeals arose…
Judgment
POCSO Act, 2012 & Section 376 IPC, Court Sets Aside Life Sentence in Consensual Relationship Case Due to Failure to Prove Minority: Patna High Court
The case titled Pawan Kumar Mandal versus The State of Bihar was decided by the Patna High Court on 16 December 2025. The appeal arose from Criminal Appeal (DB) No. 558 of 2019, challenging the conviction and life sentence awarded by the Special POCSO Court at Bhagalpur. The appellant, Pawan Kumar Mandal, resident of…
Judgment
Punishment on Sub-Inspector Set Aside after ‘Deemed Guilt Rule’ Held Unconstitutional; Disciplinary Action Found Prejudged: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court delivered a landmark judgment protecting procedural fairness for police officers facing disciplinary action under Bihar’s liquor prohibition regime. The court examined whether harsh departmental penalties can be imposed merely on presumption, without proof of negligence or connivance. The ruling…
Judgment
Anticipatory Bail Granted to YouTuber Manish Kashyap Amid Allegations of Circulating Railway Sabotage Video to Malign the Department: Patna High Court
In a crowded courtroom on Saturday morning, the Patna High Court granted anticipatory bail to YouTuber Manish Kashyap, who was accused of circulating a video suggesting a possible sabotage attempt on a railway track. The hearing was brief yet tense, reflecting the public interest surrounding the allegations.…
Judgment
Children Are Future Of Society; Punitive Approach Towards Juveniles Is Self-Destructive Under JJ Act: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a crucial judgment reinforcing the principles of juvenile justice, has set aside the conviction and sentence of a juvenile who was earlier held guilty under the Arms Act. The Court held that the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 aims at reforming children in conflict…
Judgment
Few Moral Lapses & Return To Normal Life Not Considered 'Living In Adultery', Wife Entitled To Maintenance: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a notable judgment, ruled that a woman cannot be denied maintenance solely on the grounds of isolated moral lapses or unproven allegations of infidelity. The ruling was given by Justice Jitendra Kumar in Criminal Revision No. 262 of 2020, stating that the phrase “living in adultery” under…
Order
Accused Already Released on Bail Cannot Seek Anticipatory Bail Again: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has dismissed an anticipatory bail petition filed by Mainuddin Mansoori in connection with Gaura P.S. Case No. 54 of 2024, registered under Section 384 of the Indian Penal Code for extortion. The judgment was delivered by Justice Jitendra Kumar on September 25, 2026. Mansoori had previously…
Order
Pressing a Woman’s Mouth and Lying on Her Without Attempted Penetration Does Not Amount to Attempted Rape: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has partly allowed an appeal filed by Md. Ainul Haque, setting aside his conviction for attempted rape while upholding his conviction for house trespass and finding him guilty of assaulting a woman with intent to outrage her modesty. Justice Sandeep Kumar reduced the substantive sentences for both…
Order
Two-Month Delay in Gang-Rape FIR Not Enough to Disbelieve Case: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has dismissed a petition filed by Kamal Kishore @ Chuha seeking to quash the criminal proceedings against him in connection with Naubatpur P.S. Case No. 240/2018. The petitioner had challenged the order dated 27.11.2018, through which the Special Judge, SC/ST, Patna took cognizance under Section…
Order
Mere Involvement in Routine FIR Not Sufficient to Refuse Arms Licence Unless Threat to Public Safety Is Established: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has quashed orders rejecting Sanjay Kumar Yadav’s application for an arms licence and directed the District Magistrate, Patna, to reconsider his application. Yadav, a builder and Director of Bigrahpuram Developers Pvt. Limited, had applied on 17 January 2023 for a licence for one N.P. Bore…
Order
Mere Registration of FIR Not a Ground to Cancel PDS Licence: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has set aside the cancellation of the PDS licence of Sakindra Roy, a PDS dealer of Bhagwanpur Block in Vaishali district. The order was passed on 22.09.2026 in Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No.10841 of 2023. Roy had challenged three orders: the Sub Divisional Officer's order dated 26.11.2020…
Order
Two Juveniles Granted Bail in 63.76 Kg Ganja Case, Inquiry Ordered Under JJ Act: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has allowed two criminal revision petitions and ordered the release on bail of two juveniles in a DRI case involving the alleged recovery of 63.760 kg of ganja (net weight) from a Mahindra TUV vehicle. The case arose from DRI Patna Unit Case No. 01 of 2024-25, registered under Sections 8(c),…
Order
Physical Relationship Based on False Marriage Promise Does Not Constitute Rape in Every Case: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court recently examined the case of Manoj Kumar Kushwaha alias Manoj Kumar, who was accused of engaging in a fraudulent marriage and committing sexual assault. The case was heard by Justice Alok Kumar Pandey, who dismissed the petition filed by the accused seeking to quash the charges. This case sheds…
Order
Natural Justice Requires a Reasonable Opportunity, Not “Repeated or Endless Opportunities”: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has clarified the principles of natural justice, stating that affected parties must be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before an adverse decision is made. However, the court emphasized that authorities are not required to offer “repeated or endless opportunities” until they are satisfied…
Order
Absence of Injuries Raises Doubt Over Rape Allegation Against Five Accused; Four Acquitted and 22-Year-Old's Conviction Set Aside: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has delivered a significant judgment in a 1998 gang rape case, acquitting four of the five accused persons convicted earlier by a trial court. The court observed that if five accused had committed the offence of rape one after another, there should have been some injuries on the victim's body. The…
Order
‘Govt Recognition’ Means Recognition by Indian Authorities; Nepal Institute Certificate Not Valid for PDS Licence: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that when eligibility for a Public Distribution System (PDS) licence requires an educational certificate recognised by the “Government”, the expression refers to the Government of India, States, or local and other authorities within the territory of India or under the control of the…
Order
Failure to Pay Balance Sale Consideration Cannot by Itself Constitute Cheating: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that merely failing to pay the remaining sale consideration under an agreement to sell does not, by itself, amount to the criminal offence of cheating. The Court made it clear that for an allegation under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to succeed, there must be evidence of…
Order
Voter List Entry Showing Spouse's Name Not Proof of a Valid Hindu Marriage: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that merely showing a person's name as a spouse in a voter list is not enough to establish that a valid Hindu marriage took place. When the existence of a marriage is specifically disputed, the person claiming to be the legally wedded spouse must produce convincing evidence that the…
Habeas Corpus Petition Not Maintainable for Minor’s Custody Dispute Between Parents: Himachal Pradesh High Court
The Himachal Pradesh High Court dismissed a habeas corpus petition filed by a father seeking production and custody of his minor daughter. The case titled Himanshu Dilip Kulkarni VERSUS State of HP & Ors. was decided by Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi on 26 February 2026. The Court held that…
About the Patna High Court
The Patna High Court was established in 1916. It has jurisdiction over the state of Bihar.
Seat
Patna
State / UT
Bihar
Region
East India
