No Justification For IT Act Adjudication Mechanism Remaining Non-Functional; Operationalise Forthwith: Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has held that there is no justification for the adjudicating mechanism under the Information Technology Act, 2000 to remain non-functional despite statutory provisions and notifications being in place, directing the State to operationalise the system forthwith.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a Public...

Plea In Jharkhand HC Seeks ₹1 Crore Compensation, Lifelong Medical Care For Children Allegedly Infected With HIV At Blood Bank

A writ petition has been filed before the Jharkhand High Court seeking compensation of ₹1 crore each and lifelong medical care for five minor children who were allegedly infected with HIV after receiving contaminated blood transfusions at the Chaibasa Sadar Hospital blood bank in October 2025.Filed on behalf of children aged between 5 and 7 years, the petition states that all of them...

Industries Cannot Use Public Roads Disproportionately For Gain: Jharkhand HC Orders Parking Compliance, Trauma Care Near Steel Plant

The Jharkhand High Court has held that industries cannot disproportionately use public roads for their commercial operations at the cost of ordinary commuters, directing strict enforcement of statutory parking norms and development of adequate trauma care facilities near a steel plant.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a public...

Jharkhand High Court To Hear Plea Challenging Acquisition Of 1363 Acres In Godda For Adani Thermal Power Project

In an order dated 15 April 2026, Justice the Jharkhand High Court admitted a writ petition challenging the acquisition of over 1,363 acres of agricultural land in Godda district for the Adani Thermal Power Project, and directed that the matter be heard.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Ananda Sen was hearing the matter.As per the writ petition accessed by LiveLaw, the petition challenges the...

'State Cannot Exercise Unfettered Discretion In Tender Matters Or Deviate From Notice Conditions Without Reasons': Jharkhand High Court

The Jharkhand High Court has held that the State cannot exercise unfettered discretion in tender matters or deviate from conditions of the Notice Inviting Tender without assigning reasons. The Court observed that even where discretion exists, it must be exercised judiciously with due application of mind and cannot justify an unreasoned departure from prescribed tender conditions.A division...

Unauthorised Absence Must Be Wilful To Justify Dismissal; Disproportionate If Due To Illness: Jharkhand HC

A Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Deepak Roshan held that unauthorised absence from duty must be proven to be willful to warrant dismissal, and punishment is disproportionate if the absence is due to compelling circumstances like medical illness. Background Facts The respondent (employee) was appointed as an...

Bihar State Financial Corporation Can Fix Employee Pay Without State Approval: Jharkhand HC

A Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar held that under the State Financial Corporations Act, 1951, a State Financial Corporation has power to determine its employees' pay and service conditions without needing prior approval from the State Government. Background Facts The employees were working with the Bihar...

'Future Of Children Jeopardised': Jharkhand High Court Seeks Status Of Probe Into HIV-Infected Blood Transfusion To Minor Patients

The Jharkhand High Court has observed that transfusion of HIV-infected blood to several minor children has jeopardized their future, and directed the State to place on record details of the investigation being carried out in the matter.A Single Judge Bench of Justice Rongon Mukhopadhyay was hearing a writ petition seeking direction for registration of an FIR on the basis of a complaint...

"Right To Health Requires Time-Sensitive Medical Infrastructure": Jharkhand HC Issues Directions For Specialised Burn Care Facilities

The Jharkhand High Court has held that the right to health under Article 21 is a positive constitutional mandate requiring the State to provide specialised, time-sensitive medical infrastructure, particularly in cases such as burn injuries where immediacy of care is critical. The Court observed that the absence of functional burn care facilities renders the constitutional guarantee of life...

Public Advertisement Can't Replace Direct Communication To Employees For Promotion : Jharkhand HC

A Division Bench of the Jharkhand High Court comprising Chief Justice M. S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar held that public advertisements cannot substitute direct communication with employees for departmental requirements, and denying promotion to eligible employees without proper notice is arbitrary. It was further held that affected employees are entitled to retrospective promotion...

'Absence Of Burn Care Facilities Renders Right To Health Illusory': Jharkhand HC Issues Statewide Directions After Hazaribagh Fire Tragedy

The Jharkhand High Court has held that the absence of functional burn care facilities across the State renders the right to health under Article 21 “illusory”, issuing comprehensive directions to ensure establishment and operationalisation of burn units in all district hospitals.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice M.S. Sonak and Justice Rajesh Shankar was hearing a public...

Jharkhand High Court Takes Suo Motu Cognisance Of Rape–Murder Of 12-Yr-Old; Slams Police For “Lethargic Attitude”

The Jharkhand High Court has taken suo motu cognizance of the rape and murder of a 12-year-old girl in Hazaribagh, expressing serious concern over the “lethargic attitude” of the police in the matter.A Division Bench of Justice Sujit Narayan Prasad and Justice Anubha Rawat Choudhary took note of the incident when, at the commencement of court proceedings at 10:30 AM, Mr. Hemant...