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
Aadhaar Correction Delays Questioned, UIDAI Directed to Act Swiftly: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court recently addressed delays in correcting basic details in Aadhaar records, emphasizing that citizens should not be forced to approach courts for routine administrative matters. Justice Ajit Kumar noted the increasing trend of judicial intervention in matters that are otherwise administrative in…
Order
Breath Analyzer Test Not Held as Inconclusive Proof of Alcohol Consumption in SC Judgment, Clarifies: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court clarified that the Supreme Court in Bachubhai Hassanalli Karyani v. State of Maharashtra (1971) did not hold that a breath analyser test is inconclusive proof of alcohol consumption. The case arose from an appeal by a Sub-Inspector of Police, Bhagwan Singh, challenging his dismissal from service…
Order
Marriage Dissolved Using ‘Doctrine of Frustration’, Family Court’s Void Ruling Overturned: Patna High Court
The dispute arose between Manoj Kumar @ Munna and his wife Nita Bharti, who were married in October 2007 under the Special Marriage Act before a Marriage Officer in Begusarai. Soon after marriage, the wife alleged harassment, including abuse, caste-based humiliation, and dowry demands, and filed for divorce under…
Order
Cancellation of Tender on Grounds Waived by Bidder Is Manifestly Arbitrary: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court delivered a significant judgment emphasizing fairness in government contracts and tenders. The Court held that cancellation of a tender process on incorrect and non-existent grounds is violative of Article 14 Of Constitution Of India, which guarantees equality and non-arbitrariness in State…
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…
Order
Rape Conviction Set Aside Due to Lack of Corroboration and Material Contradictions: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court delivered a significant judgment acquitting four accused persons in a serious criminal case involving allegations under Section 4 POCSO Act and Section 376D IPC. The Court emphasized that conviction in criminal cases must be based on clear, consistent, and reliable evidence. The Division Bench…
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…
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…
Order
Failure to Challenge Arrest or Remand Amounts to Acquiescence, Compensation for Illegal Detention Refused: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that if a person does not challenge an order of arrest or remand before the appropriate court at the proper time, it amounts to acquiescence and such person cannot later seek compensation alleging illegal detention. The judgment was delivered on 20 February 2026 by Justice Jitendra Kumar…
Order
Man Accused of Abusing PM Modi and His Mother at Political Rally Granted Bail: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has granted bail to Md. Rizvi @ Raja, who was accused of using objectionable words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his deceased mother during a political rally. The alleged incident was later made viral on social media. The order was passed by a Single Judge Bench of Justice Arun Kumar…
Order
Victim’s Appeal Seeking Enhancement of Sentence Not Maintainable under Section 372 CrPC: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court clarified that a victim cannot maintain a criminal appeal solely on the ground that the sentence awarded is inadequate. The Single Judge Bench of Justice Alok Kumar Pandey held that the victim’s right of appeal under Section 372 CrPC is limited to only three situations: (i) acquittal of the…
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
