The Patna High Court is one of the oldest High Courts in India and serves as the highest judicial authority for the state of Bihar. Located in the capital city of Patna, the court handles civil, criminal, constitutional, and administrative matters across the state. The court is known for its historical importance, colonial architecture, and major contribution to the Indian judicial system.
Established during British rule in 1916, the Patna High Court has delivered several important judgments related to constitutional rights, governance, education, criminal justice, and public administration. The court also supervises district and subordinate courts functioning across Bihar.
| Particulars | Details |
| Established | 3 February 1916 |
| Location | Patna, Bihar |
| Jurisdiction | State of Bihar |
| Type | High Court |
| First Chief Justice | Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier |
| Main Functions | Civil, Criminal, Constitutional Cases |
| Official Languages | English and Hindi |
| Current Authority | Constitution of India |
| Judge Strength | 53 Judges |
| Official Website | patnahighcourt.gov.in |
History of Patna High Court
The history of the Patna High Court dates back to the British colonial period. Before its establishment, Bihar came under the jurisdiction of the Calcutta High Court. Due to the increasing administrative and judicial workload in eastern India, the British government decided to create a separate High Court for Bihar and Orissa.
A proclamation for establishing the Patna High Court was issued on 22 March 1912 by the Governor-General of India. The foundation stone of the court building was laid on 1 December 1913 by Viceroy Sir Charles Hardinge. The building was formally inaugurated on 3 February 1916, while official judicial work began on 1 March 1916.
Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier became the first Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. Initially, the court exercised jurisdiction over Bihar and Orissa together. However, in 1948, a separate High Court was established for Orissa.
Later, a circuit bench was established at Ranchi in 1972, which became a permanent bench in 1976. After the creation of Jharkhand in 2000, the Ranchi bench became the Jharkhand High Court.
Over the years, the Patna High Court has become one of the most respected judicial institutions in eastern India.
Jurisdiction of Patna High Court
The Patna High Court exercises wide powers under the Constitution of India.
Original Jurisdiction
The court has original jurisdiction in certain constitutional and special matters where cases can be filed directly before the High Court.
These include:
- Writ petitions
- Public Interest Litigations (PILs)
- Constitutional disputes
- Service matters
- High-value civil matters
Appellate Jurisdiction
The court hears appeals from district courts and subordinate courts throughout Bihar.
It deals with:
- Civil appeals
- Criminal appeals
- Sessions court appeals
- Family court matters
- Tribunal appeals
Writ Jurisdiction
Under Article 226 of the Constitution, the Patna High Court can issue writs for the protection of legal and fundamental rights. Citizens can directly approach the court against unlawful government actions.
Supervisory Jurisdiction
The High Court supervises all subordinate courts functioning within Bihar. It ensures proper judicial administration and discipline throughout the state.
Structure of Patna High Court
The Patna High Court functions under the Chief Justice along with several permanent and additional judges appointed by the President of India.
According to available information, the sanctioned strength of the court is 53 judges.
Benches and Administration
Currently, the Patna High Court mainly functions from its principal seat at Patna. The court manages several administrative departments handling:
- Judicial records
- Case filing
- Registry operations
- Cause lists
- Digital services
Types of Cases Handled
The court handles various categories of matters such as:
- Civil disputes
- Criminal matters
- Constitutional cases
- Tax disputes
- Property matters
- Service disputes
- Public Interest Litigations
Digital Facilities
The Patna High Court has adopted several modern digital services to improve judicial efficiency.
These include:
- Online case status
- E-filing facilities
- Virtual hearings
- Digital cause lists
- Online judgments and orders
The court was also among the early High Courts in India to computerize its cause list management system.
Subordinate Courts Under Patna High Court
Several district and sessions courts function under the supervision of the Patna High Court.
Major district courts include:
- Patna District Court
- Gaya District Court
- Muzaffarpur District Court
- Bhagalpur District Court
- Darbhanga District Court
- Purnia District Court
- Begusarai District Court
- Samastipur District Court
These courts handle local civil, criminal, property, and family disputes across Bihar.
Architecture of Patna High Court
The Patna High Court building is famous for its colonial architecture and historical importance. The structure reflects a blend of classical and imperial British architectural styles.
Some important features include:
- Large red-and-white exterior
- Colonial arches and pillars
- Historic courtroom halls
- Spacious central structure
- Traditional judicial design
The building remains one of the major heritage landmarks in Bihar.
Address of Patna High Court
Official Address
High Court of Judicature at Patna
Veerchand Patel Road Area
Patna, Bihar – 800028
Contact Number
0612-2504178
Importance of Patna High Court
The Patna High Court plays a major role in protecting constitutional rights and maintaining judicial administration in Bihar. The court handles thousands of cases every year related to governance, criminal justice, education, land disputes, and public administration.
It has delivered important judgments related to:
- Human rights
- Election matters
- Education policies
- Environmental protection
- Criminal law
- Government administration
The court also actively promotes digital judicial systems and faster access to justice through technology-enabled services.
FAQs
Q1. When was the Patna High Court established?
The Patna High Court was established on 3 February 1916.
Q2. Where is the Patna High Court located?
It is located in Patna, the capital city of Bihar.
Q3. Who was the first Chief Justice of Patna High Court?
Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier was the first Chief Justice.
Q4. Which state comes under the Patna High Court?
The Patna High Court has jurisdiction over the state of Bihar.
Q5. Does the Patna High Court provide online services?
Yes, it provides online case status, e-filing, virtual hearings, and digital cause lists.
Q6. What types of cases are handled by the Patna High Court?
The court handles civil, criminal, constitutional, tax, service, and public interest litigation matters.
Q7. What is the sanctioned strength of Patna High Court judges?
The sanctioned strength of the court is 53 judges.
