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
Investigation Under POSH Act and BNS Act Upheld in Pre-Arrest Bail Case Involving Sexual Harassment and Atrocities: Orissa High Court
In the High Court of Orissa at Cuttack, the case involving Ashok Kumar Samantray as the Petitioner and the State of Odisha as the Opposite Party was heard on 13 August 2025. The Petitioner sought pre-arrest bail in connection with serious allegations framed under various provisions of criminal law, including Sections…
Order
Limitation to Claim GST Refund Begins from Date of Correct Tax Payment: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court recently delivered a judgment concerning the refund of taxes paid under the Central Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (CGST Act) and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 (IGST Act) when the nature of supply is later found to be different from what was initially declared by the taxpayer.…
Order
Hindu Marriage Act – Divorce Granted to Wife on Grounds of Cruelty and Irretrievable Breakdown of Marriage: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, on 13 August 2025, delivered a landmark judgment in the case titled Prity Raj VERSUS Shishir Kumar, Miscellaneous Appeal No. 91 of 2021, allowing the wife’s appeal for divorce under Section 13(1)(i-a) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, on the grounds of cruelty and long separation. The appeal was…
Order
Sessions Court Can't Direct Accused Seeking Anticipatory Bail to Approach Police for Relief Under Section 41A CrPC or Section 35 BNSS: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has delivered a crucial ruling stating that Sessions Courts cannot reject or dispose of anticipatory bail applications by simply asking the accused to approach the police under Section 41A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) or Section 35 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). The…
Order
Juvenile Over 16 Accused of 'Heinous Offence' Also Entitled to Bail Under Section 12 of JJ Act: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has granted bail to a juvenile accused of sexually assaulting a minor girl, underscoring the provisions of Section 12 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015 (JJ Act), which mandates the granting of bail to juveniles without discrimination. The Court observed that the…
Order
Shocking Allegations, Adultery, and Arson End 29-Year Marriage: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court recently upheld a divorce decree granted by the Family Court in a case involving Kumari Sangita Ray @ Sangita Devi and Rajiv Ranjan @ Bablu, under Section 13(1) of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, on the grounds of cruelty and desertion. The couple was married on 21 June 1996 according to Hindu…
Order
Court Permits Juvenility Claim 32 Years Post Offence, Affirms It Can Be Raised Anytime: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a recent judgment, reiterated that an accused in a criminal case can raise the plea of juvenility at any stage of the proceedings, even after the case has been finally disposed of. The court passed this significant ruling while hearing a criminal appeal in the 1993 attempt to murder case from…
Order
Union Supported by Custom, Cohabitation, and Childbirth to Be Recognized as Valid Marriage Under Section 125 CrPC: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has held that a woman who has cohabited as a wife, borne children, and been accepted by society and family in that role, must not be denied maintenance under Section 125 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) merely on technical grounds of marriage validity. Observations on Legal and Social…
Order
‘Committing Adultery’ Different from ‘Living in Adultery’; Maintenance Cannot Be Denied for One-Time Lapse: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a significant judgment under Section 125 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, clarified the legal distinction between a wife “committing adultery” and “living in adultery”, a key factor in determining her eligibility for maintenance. The ruling came in the case titled Babul Khatoon & Ors. VERSUS…
Order
Action Ordered on Alleged Child Trafficking in Orchestra and Dance Troupes in Bihar: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court, in a significant step towards child protection, has directed the State of Bihar to prepare a comprehensive and immediate State-wide action plan involving multiple stakeholders for the regulation, registration, and monitoring of orchestra, dance, and theatre groups operating across the state. This…
Order
Standing In ‘Pranam Mudra’ With Smile During National Anthem Not Disrespectful, Complaint Against CM Nitish Kumar Dismissed: Patna High Court
The Patna High Court has quashed a complaint case filed against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar that accused him of insulting the National Anthem by standing in a ‘Pranaam Mudra’ with a smiling face during its rendition at a sporting event. The Court held that this act does not amount to an offence under the…
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
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
