In Which Year was Patna High Court Established?

Patna High Court is one of the important judicial institutions in India. It plays a key role in delivering justice and handling legal matters in Bihar. The court has a long history and has contributed to the Indian legal system. It was established during British rule and continues to serve the people with fairness and integrity.

Year of Establishment

Patna High Court was established on 3rd February 1916. It was set up by the British colonial government and later come under the Government of India Act 1915. This makes it one of the oldest high courts in India.

Foundation and Early Years of Patna High Court

The process of setting up the Patna High Court started with a proclamation on 22nd March 1912 by the Governor-General of India. The foundation stone of the court building was laid on 1st December 1913 by Sir Charles Hardinge of Penshurst, the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India. The court building was completed and formally opened on 3rd February 1916. Official work started on 1st March 1916.

First Chief Justice of Patna High Court

The first Chief Justice of Patna High Court was Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier. He played a key role in organizing the court and its functions in the early years.

Expansion and Development of Patna High Court

In its initial years, the Patna High Court had jurisdiction over both Bihar and Orissa. However, on 26th July 1948, a separate High Court for Orissa was established.

In 1972, a circuit bench of the Patna High Court was set up in Ranchi. Later, in 1976, it became a permanent bench. Finally, in November 2000, after the creation of Jharkhand, the Ranchi bench became the Jharkhand High Court under the Bihar Reorganization Act, 2000.

Centenary Celebrations

On 18th April 2015, Patna High Court began its 100-year anniversary celebrations. The event was inaugurated by the then President of India, Pranab Mukherjee, and attended by the Governor of Bihar, Keshari Nath Tripathi, the Chief Justice of India, H.L. Dattu and the Chief Justice of Patna High Court, L. Narasimha Reddy.

Notable Judges

Many distinguished judges have served in the Patna High Court. Some of them are:

• Justice Rekha Doshit: First woman Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
• Pandit Lakshmi Kant Jha: First Indian Chief Justice after independence.
• Justice Indu Prabha Singh: First woman judge of Patna High Court.
• Justice Gyan Sudha Misra: First woman judge from Bihar in the Supreme Court.
• Justice Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha: 6th Chief Justice of India.
• Justice Lalit Mohan Sharma: 24th Chief Justice of India.