Pujari Merely A 'Grantee' Appointed To Manage Deity's Property, Can't Claim Rights Over Temple Land: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has recently held that a Pujari or priest is merely a “grantee” entrusted with the management of a deity's property and his role extends to that of a manager who has no proprietary rights over the land. He cannot thus be treated as Bhumiswami (owner of land).In this regard, Justice Bibhu Datta Guru further observed,“…the law is clear on the distinction that...

Chhattisgarh High Court Upholds Dismissal Of Technician for Habitual Absenteeism, Says Imposition Of Punishment Is 'Managerial' Function

Dismissing a plea of reinstatement of a former Technician of Bhilai Steel Plant, whose services were terminated on account of habitual absence from duty, the Chhattisgarh High Court has held that imposition of punishment in disciplinary matters is a managerial function which does not warrant interference by the Court unless the punishment seems patently shocking.For context— petitioner...

Chhattisgarh High Court Denies Plea Of Student Simultaneously Enrolled In Two Degrees, Seeking Modification Of Clashing Exam Timetables

The Chhattisgarh High Court has dismissed a plea of Satyendra Prakash Suryawanshi— a student enrolled in two simultaneous academic programmes, who requested modifications to his final exam timetable in order to prevent a scheduling conflict and pleaded conducting the exams at separate times or on different dates.The petitioner was pursuing an M.S.W. from Pt. Sundarlal Sharma (Open)...

Cross-Examination By Enquiry Officer For Clarifications From Witness Does Not Vitiate Enquiry Proceedings : Chhattisgarh HC

A Division bench of the Chhattisgarh High Court comprising of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru, held that an Enquiry Officer can do Cross-Examination and seek clarifications from witnesses during enquiry proceedings and it would not render the enquiry proceedings void. Background Facts The petitioner was working as Constable in the Chhattisgarh...

Stressful Service Conditions Of CRPF Personnel In Naxal Area Can't Justify Murder Of Colleagues: Chhattisgarh High Court Upholds Conviction

The Chhattisgarh High Court has upheld the conviction of a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Constable who, nursing a grudge over duty allotment that deprived him of leave, opened fire on his colleagues, resulting in the death of four and injury to one.Commenting that long working hours without leave in a strenuous naxal infested environment does not warrant murder of fellow comrades,...

Chhattisgarh HC Launches Digitization Centre In 4 District Courts, E-Summons Facility For Criminal Cases

In a significant step towards the modernisation of the State judiciary in Chhattisgarh, Digitization Centres at the District & Sessions Courts of Raigarh, Janjgir-Champa, Korba and Bemetara were ceremonially inaugurated via virtual mode on 25th June 2025. The event also marked the formal launch of e-Summons for Criminal Cases and Video Conferencing Facility at District...

Reliefs Similar To Those Sought Before Arbitrator & Commercial Court Can't Be Claimed Before Writ Court: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru has held that reliefs similar to those already sought before the Arbitrator and subsequently before the Commercial Court cannot be claimed before the writ court, especially when alternative efficacious remedies are available before the same forums for seeking such reliefs. Brief...

'Threat To Financial Health Of Country': Chhattisgarh High Court Denies Bail To Man Accused In ₹411 Crore Medical Procurement Scam

The Chhattisgarh High Court has denied bail to Shashank Chopda, accused of masterminding a large-scale criminal conspiracy involving fraudulent procurement of medical equipment and reagents under the "Hamar-Lab" scheme, causing a colossal loss worth Rs.411 crores to the State.Noting that an economic offence of such a magnitude poses a threat to the financial health of the country, Chief...

Secondary Evidence Of Document Can't Be Accepted During Cross-Examination If Suppressed At Earlier Stages: Chhattisgarh High Court

The Chhattisgarh High Court has reiterated that secondary evidence in respect of a document can be accepted only if it is established that the original document is lost or destroyed or is being deliberately withheld by the party against whom such document is sought to be proved. It was also held that a trial Court cannot accept a secondary evidence at the instance of a party during...

Chhattisgarh HC Bars Litigants, Parties From Carrying Mobile Phones, Electronic Devices Inside Courtrooms

In a notification issued earlier today, the Chhattisgarh High Court has barred litigants and parties from carrying mobile phones or any electronic devices inside the courtrooms, even in switched-off mode. The Court has also categorically prohibited any form of audio or video recording of the proceedings. The notification, issued by the orders of the Chief Justice, further warns that...

Chhattisgarh High Court Orders ₹2 Lakh Compensation To Woman For Custodial Death Of Son Labelled By Authorities As 'Fall On Railway Line'

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ordered the State to pay rupees two lakhs compensation to a woman whose son died while in police custody. The Division Bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru reiterated that the State is liable to pay compensation in case infringement of right to life is established.“The Courts have time and again deprecated such conduct on the part...

Korba Gangrape-Murder | 'Shocks Conscience But Not Rarest Of Rare Case': Chhattisgarh HC Commutes Death Penalty Of 5 Men

The Chhattisgarh High Court last week commuted the death sentence of five accused who were convicted in January this year for gangraping and killing a 16-year-old girl and the murder of her two family members in 2021. While upholding their conviction, a bench of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha and Justice Bibhu Datta Guru noted that the trial Court had failed to take into...