National Highways Act Is A Complete Code; Waqf Tribunal Lacks Jurisdiction To Stall Highway Project: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court set aside the injunction granted by the Waqf Tribunal restraining NHAI from highway construction, holding that the National Highways Act is a complete code in itself for the purpose of acquisition of land for the national highwaysA Single Judge Bench comprising Justice Bibek Chaudhuri was hearing an appeal under Section 83(9) of the Waqf Act, 1995 read with the...

Patna High Court Orders Toll-Free Helpline For Mentally Ill Persons, Stresses Vocational Training To Make Recovered Patients Self-Sufficient

The Patna High Court has issued directions for the creation of a toll-free helpline to assist persons suffering from mental health issues, while hearing a suo motu public interest litigation concerning the condition of mental health facilities in Bihar. The Court also directed the State to consider suggestions made by the Amicus Curiae in the matter.A Division Bench comprising Chief...

'Remission Schemes Motivate Prisoners To Maintain Good Behaviour': Patna High Court Orders Reconsideration Of Life Convicts' Plea

The Patna High Court has held that remission schemes serve an important reformative purpose and act as a healthy motivation for prisoners to maintain good behaviour. It accordingly directed the Bihar State Sentence Remission Review Board to reconsider the remission applications of two convicts who had been sentenced to life imprisonment for abducting children for extortion.Justice Jitendra...

Patna High Court Seeks State's Response On Permitting Settlement Of Traffic Challans In Lok Adalats

The Patna High Court has asked the State of Bihar to respond on whether traffic challan matters can be taken up for settlement in Lok Adalats.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha was hearing a writ petition seeking directions to the authorities to issue clear instructions regarding the hearing and settlement of compounding cases relating...

Mental Healthcare Act | Patna High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of “Shortcomings” In Bihar's Mental Health Facilities, Seeks Report

The Patna High Court has taken suo motu cognisance of shortcomings in mental health facilities in the State of Bihar, including at the Bihar State Institute of Mental Health and Allied Sciences (BIMHAS), Koelwar, Bhojpur, and initiated a suo motu Public Interest Litigation on the basis of an inspection report submitted by the Member Secretary, Bihar State Legal Services Authority...

Supreme Court Collegium Approves Appointment Of Nine Advocates As Patna High Court Judges

The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting held on February 26, 2026, approved the proposals for appointment of nine advocates as Judges of the Patna High Court.The advocates whose names have been cleared for elevation are Md. Nadim Seraj, Ranjan Kumar Jha, Kumar Manish, Sanjeev Kumar, Girijish Kumar, Alok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Rana Vikram Singh and Vikash Kumar.The recommendations have been made...

Disqualification Clauses Must Be Strictly Construed, Cannot Be Expanded Beyond Advertisement: Patna HC Upholds Grant Of IOCL Dealership

The Patna High Court has held that mere pendency of a criminal case, at a stage where charges had not been framed, does not ipso facto render a candidate ineligible for allotment of a petroleum dealership unless the governing advertisement expressly stipulates such disqualification. The Court further held that the advertisement is the governing instrument of the selection process and cannot...

Brother Of Deceased Is 'Victim' Under CrPC, Can Participate In Husband's Appeal Against Murder Conviction: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that the brother of a deceased person qualifies as a “victim” within the meaning of Section 2(wa) of the Code of Criminal Procedure and is entitled to be heard in criminal proceedings arising out of the offence.A Division Bench of Justice Bibek Chaudhuri and Justice Dr. Anshuman was hearing an intervention application filed by the brother of a deceased...

Not Challenging Arrest Or Remand Amounts To Acquiescence: Patna High Court Refuses Compensation for Illegal Detention

The Patna High Court has held that failure to challenge an order of arrest or remand before the appropriate court amounts to acquiescence, and a person cannot subsequently claim compensation alleging illegal detention.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar was hearing a writ petition seeking a declaration that the petitioner's detention by Sonepur Police Station from 30.07.2020...

Patna High Court Grants Bail To Man Accused Of Abusing PM Modi, His Mother At Political Rally

The Patna High Court has granted bail to a man accused of using objectionable words against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his deceased mother during a political rally, which was later allegedly made viral on social media.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Arun Kumar Jha was hearing the bail application filed in connection with Simri P.S. Case No. 243 of 2025 dated 28.08.2025, registered...

Patna High Court Orders Preservation Of CCTV Footage In Plea Alleging Illegal Detention Of Advocate By SDM

On February 9, 2025, the Patna High Court passed an order directing preservation of CCTV footage in a case concerning the alleged illegal detention of a practising advocate inside the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Danapur.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Arun Kumar Jha was hearing a writ petition filed by an advocate of the Patna High Court.According to the petitioner, he...

Bihar Prohibition Act | Vehicle Cannot Be Confiscated Unless Owner's Involvement In Illicit Liquor Transport Is Proven: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that where the owner of a vehicle is not involved in the commission of the offence of transportation of illicit liquor, and there is no consent or connivance attributable to the owner, the vehicle cannot be subjected to confiscation proceedings under the Bihar Prohibition and Excise Act, 2016.A Division Bench of Justice Mohit Kumar Shah and Justice Alok Kumar...