Courts Cannot Re-Evaluate Technical Eligibility Determined By Expert Bodies Absent Mala Fides Or Patent Perversity: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that courts exercising judicial review under Article 226 cannot undertake a fresh evaluation of technical eligibility criteria assessed by expert tender committees unless the decision is shown to be mala fide, arbitrary or patently perverse.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Ranjan Kumar Jha was hearing a writ petition seeking directions to...

District Courts Have No Power To Direct CBI Investigation: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that District Courts, including Sessions Courts and Magistrates, have no power to direct the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate a crime, reiterating that such power is reserved exclusively for Constitutional Courts exercising jurisdiction under Articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution. The Court further held that a Sessions Court cannot direct a...

Failure To Check Police Brutality Could Make It 'Like Nazi Germany': Patna HC Orders FIR Against SHO For Alleged Custodial Torture

The Patna High Court has directed registration of an FIR against a Station House Officer accused of brutally assaulting a man and allegedly breaking both his legs, holding that referring the victim to the Magistrate under Section 156(3) CrPC at this stage would amount to “further injustice” and warning that unchecked police brutality could make the national police “like one of...

Plaintiff Who Fails To Perform Essential Terms Of Contract Cannot Seek Specific Performance U/S 16(c) Specific Relief Act: Patna HC

The Patna High Court has held that a plaintiff who fails to perform the essential terms of a contract and is unable to demonstrate readiness and willingness to perform his obligations is disentitled from seeking specific performance under Section 16(c) of the Specific Relief Act, 1963.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Jitendra Kumar was hearing a first appeal filed by the defendant against...

'Bidder Cannot Be Disqualified On Basis Of Condition Not Forming Part Of Tender': Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that a bidder cannot be penalised, disqualified or blacklisted on the basis of a condition which did not form part of the original Notice Inviting Tender (NIT), reiterating that State authorities are bound to act strictly in accordance with tender conditions and cannot deviate from them arbitrarily.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Shailendra...

Seven Advocates Sworn-In As Judges Of Patna High Court

Seven lawyers were sworn in on Monday (June 15) as judges of the Patna High Court. The oath of office was delivered to the new appointees by Chief Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai. The appointees who have been appointed as judges are-Justice Ranjan Kumar Jha, Justice Kumar Manish and Justice Raj Kumar. Meanwhile appointees who have been appointed as additional judges are-Justice Rana Vikram...

'Actuated By Malafide At Many Levels': Patna High Court Quashes S.319 CrPC Order Passed By ADJ Accused Of Seeking Money

The Patna High Court has quashed an order summoning a man to face trial under Section 319 CrPC in a murder case, holding that the proceedings appeared to be “actuated by malafide at many levels” and that the evidence relied upon by the Trial Court was “extremely insufficient” to justify invocation of powers under Section 319 CrPC. A Single Judge Bench of Justice Ansul was hearing...

Centre Notifies Appointment Of 7 Advocates As Patna High Court Judges

Central Government on Friday (June 10) notified the appointments of 7 lawyers as judges of the Patna High Court.While Advocates Ranjan Kumar Jha, Kumar Manish and Raj Kumar have been appointed as Judges of the Patna High Court, Advocates Rana Vikram Singh, Vikash Kumar, Girijish Kumar and Alok Kumar have been appointed as Additional Judges of the Patna High Court. The notification reads...

Khan Sir Moves Patna High Court To Quash FIR Over Coaching Centre Firing Incident, Seeks Reopening Of Institute

Educator and YouTuber Faisal Khan, popularly known as Khan Sir, has approached the Patna High Court seeking quashing of the FIR registered against him by the Patna Police in connection with the recent violence at his coaching institute.Khan Sir has also sought directions for reopening his coaching institute, which has remained shut following the incident.The matter came up before the High...

Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo Bids Farewell To Patna High Court, Reflects On Judicial Reforms, PILs, & Legal Aid

Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo, in his farewell address at the Patna High Court on June 4, reflected on his brief but eventful tenure in Bihar, describing the High Court not as an office, but as a temple where justice was the deity.He recalled that when he arrived in Patna on January 6 after his farewell from the Orissa High Court, he came with a sense of responsibility and a desire...

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai Sworn-In As Chief Justice Of Patna High Court

Justice Meenakshi Madan Rai was sworn-in on Friday (June 5) as Chief Justice of Patna High Court. The oath of office was delivered by Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (Retd.)For context, the Central Government on Tuesday (June 2) had notified the appointment of Justice Rai, who was previously a judge of the Sikkim High Court. The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 22nd May, 2026...

Even In Absence Of Express Provision In Notice Inviting Tender, State Retains Inherent Power To Blacklist Contractor: Patna HC

The Patna High Court has upheld an order passed by the South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) blacklisting a contractor for three years and terminating contracts relating to construction of power substations, holding that the State and its instrumentalities possess inherent executive power to blacklist contractors even in absence of an express contractual provision.A...