Appointing Counsellors In Family Courts Mandatory, Failure Will Violate Section 9 Of Family Courts Act & Rules: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that non-appointment of Counsellors in the Family Courts resulting in cases not being sent in conciliation amounts to violation of Section 9 of the Family Courts Act, 1984, and the Rules framed thereunder. Justice Bibek Chaudhuri said that where there is a violation of the Family Courts (Patna High Court) Rules, 2000, an adversarial justice process cannot...

Union Backed By Custom, Cohabitation & Birth Of Child Must Be Treated As Valid Marriage For Purposes Of S.125 CrPC: Patna HC

"Disregarding such a union would not only be legally unsound but would also send a regressive message to society, undermining the dignity of women and the security of children born from such relationships" : Patna High Court said.

'Committing Adultery' Distinct From Living In Adultery, Maintenance Can't Be Denied For 'Mere Lapse' Unless Continued: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has drawn a distinction between a wife 'committing adultery' from her 'living in adultery', for deciding her entitlement to maintenance."“Living in adultery” denotes a continuous course of conduct and not isolated acts of immorality. One or two lapses from virtues would be acts of adultery but would be quite insufficient to show that the woman was “living...

Patna High Court Overturns Juvenile's Rape Conviction Citing Procedural Lapses, Notes JJ Board Acted Against His 'Best Interest'

The Patna High Court has set aside the conviction of a juvenile-in-conflict-with law for raping a minor girl, while simultaneously directing the Bihar State Legal Services Authority to pay compensation to the survivor. The Juvenile Justice Board had convicted the juvenile in 2019 for rape and he was directed to be kept in a Special Home for two years; this was also upheld by the appellate...

Supreme Court Collegium Proposes Elevation Of 2 Advocates As Patna High Court Judges

The Supreme Court Collegium in its meeting held on 01st July, 2025 has approved the proposal for appointment of the following Advocates, as Judges of the High Court of Judicature at Patna:(i) Shri Ajit Kumar, and(ii) Shri Praveen Kumar....

Patna High Court Directs Action Against Alleged Trafficking Of Children In Orchestra & Dance Groups In Bihar

In response to a public interest petition filed by Just Rights for Children Alliance and Association for Voluntary Action, alleging that minor children are being trafficked and exploited under the guise of performing in orchestra, dance, and theatre groups in Bihar, the Patna High Court has ordered the State of Bihar to formulate a comprehensive, multi-stakeholder, State-wide action plan for...

Merely Voicing Apprehension Over ISIS Base If Rival Wins Elections Not Provocative U/S 153 IPC: Patna HC Grants Relief To Union Minister

The Patna High Court has observed that merely voicing an apprehension that in case the candidate of a particular party wins the election, it may create the base of ISIS (a militant outfit) in the area, cannot be said to be 'provocative' speech in terms of Section 153 IPC [Wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot]. Holding thus, a bench of Justice Chandra Shekhar Jha...

Standing In 'Pranam Mudra' With A Smiling Face Not Insult To National Anthem: Patna HC Quashes Complaint Against CM Nitish Kumar

The Patna High Court earlier this week quashed a complaint case filed against Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, which alleged that he insulted the National Anthem by standing in a 'Pranaam Mudra' with a smiling face during its rendition at an event related to the 'Sepak Takraw' World Cup. A bench of Justice Chandra Shekhar Jha noted that the CM's admitted conduct showed...

Assessee Is Permitted To Rectify GSTR 3B On Par With Contents Of GSTR 1: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court stated that the assessee is permitted to rectify GSTR 3B on par with contents of GSTR 1. The Division Bench of Justices P.B. Bajanthri and S.B. PD. Singh observed that in the government, there is no system of rectification of any return once it is filed. However, the assessee had submitted application to rectify GST 3B on par with the GSTR 1 relating to certain...

Annual Increment Can't Be Denied To Government Employees On Mere Technical Grounds If A Year Of Service Completed : Patna HC

The Patna High Court bench comprising of Justice Satyavrat Verma held that government employees retiring on 30th June are entitled to receive the annual increment due on 1st July, provided they have completed one full year of service since their last increment. It ruled that the benefit cannot be denied on mere technical grounds, such as retirement occurring just one day before...

SC Collegium Recommends Appointment Of New Chief Justices In Five High Courts

The Supreme Court Collegium has recommended the appointment of Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva, Judge of the MP High Court ( parent HC : Delhi High Court), as the Chief Justice of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.Justice Vibhu Bakhru, Delhi High Court Judge, has been recommended as the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court.Also, Justice Ashutosh Kumar of Patna High Court has been recommended as...

Education Department's 2013 Resolution Binding; Retrenchment Period Must Be Counted For Pension Calculation: Patna HC

Patna High Court: A single judge bench consisting of Justice Harish Kumar held that for a former Adult Education Project Employee who was later absorbed into the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), retrenchment periods must be counted for pension calculation. Relying on a 2013 Resolution of the Education Department, the court held that retrenchment period must be counted on...