State Must Bridge “Rehabilitation Gap” In Mental Healthcare, Ensure Recovery Leads To Doorway, Not Dead-End: Patna HC

The Patna High Court has emphasised that the State must ensure proper rehabilitation of cured mental health patients, observing that failure to provide adequate post-treatment support risks converting mental health institutions into spaces of detention, in violation of Article 21.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a suo motu...

'Power To Decide Includes Power To Initiate Proceedings; No Writ Petition Lies Against Blacklisting Show Cause Notice': Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that a show cause notice initiating blacklisting proceedings cannot ordinarily be challenged under Article 226, reiterating that the authority empowered to take a final decision is equally competent to initiate the process.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Shailendra Singh was hearing a writ petition challenging a show cause notice dated...

Selection To Post Of Anganwadi Sevika Under Welfare Scheme Does Not Confer Enforceable Statutory Right: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that selection or engagement to the post of Anganwadi Sevika under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme does not confer any enforceable statutory right, and disputes relating to such selection ordinarily do not warrant interference in writ jurisdiction.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Shailendra Singh was hearing an...

'Compassionate Appointment Is A Tailored Exception; Not Meant For Delayed Claims': Patna HC Dismisses Appeal After 25-Year Gap

The Patna High Court has reiterated that compassionate appointment is meant to provide immediate financial relief and cannot be claimed after a prolonged lapse of time, dismissing an intra-court appeal filed nearly 25 years after the employee went missing.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Shailendra Singh was hearing a Letters Patent Appeal challenging the judgment...

Patna High Court Limits Interest On Delayed Salary Arrears To 3 Years Before Filing Of Writ Petition, Modifies Single Judge Order

The Patna High Court has held that in cases of delayed claims, relief relating to arrears must ordinarily be restricted to a period of three years prior to the filing of the writ petition, modifying a Single Judge's direction granting interest on salary dues for a much longer period.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a Letters...

EPFO Cannot Retain Deposited Amount After Assessment Is Set Aside, Must Pay Interest For Unjust Enrichment: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that authorities cannot retain money deposited by an assessee after the assessment itself has been set aside, and must compensate the party by paying interest, invoking the doctrine of unjust enrichment.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a Letters Patent Appeal filed by the Employees' Provident Fund...

Patna High Court Defers Hearing Plea On RTI Pendency In Bihar, Cites Ongoing SC Proceedings

The Patna High Court has deferred hearing in a Public Interest Litigation seeking directions to clear the massive pendency of RTI applications and appeals in Bihar, noting that the issue is presently under consideration before the Supreme Court.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a PIL seeking issuance of a writ of continuing...

'Blacklisting Without Supplying Relied-Upon Documents Violates Natural Justice': Patna HC Sets Aside 2-Year Debarment Of Contractor

The Patna High Court has held that blacklisting a contractor without furnishing the documents forming the basis of allegations violates principles of natural justice, setting aside a two-year debarment imposed by the State authorities.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Shailendra Singh was hearing a writ petition challenging the order dated 10.12.2025 issued by...

Tender Lapses Automatically If Not Extended; Repeated Representations Can't Cure Delay: Patna High Court

The Patna High Court has held that mere filing of repeated representations cannot cure delay or extend limitation, and that once a tender period lapses without extension, the contract stands naturally terminated, allowing the State to issue a fresh tender in public interest.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a Letters Patent...

Debarment Must Have Express Tender Backing; Cannot Be Imposed by Implication: Patna High Court Quashes Blacklisting Of Contractor

The Patna High Court has held that debarment of a bidder, which entails serious civil consequences, must be founded on an express provision in the tender conditions or applicable statutory framework, setting aside a three-year debarment imposed on a contractor.A Division Bench of Justice Sudhir Singh and Justice Rajesh Kumar Verma was hearing a writ petition challenging the Office Order...

Cannot Indulge Those Who Compete With 'Kumbhkarna', Delay Invites Disaster: Patna HC Dismisses Appeal In Service Regularisation Claim

The Patna High Court has reiterated that mere filing of representations does not extend limitation, holding that courts will not entertain belated claims where a litigant has approached after inordinate delay, and dismissed an intra-court appeal seeking regularisation of service.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Harish Kumar was hearing a Letters...

Phenothiazine & Promethazine Covered Under Drugs & Cosmetics Act, Not Narcotic Or Psychotropic Substance: Patna High Court Suspends Sentence

The Patna High Court suspended the sentence of three men convicted under the NDPS Act, after noting that the substances that were seized from them appeared to be Phenothiazine and Promethazine which did not come within the ambit of any narcotic drug and psychotropic substances. The three appellants had approached the high court seeking suspension of sentence of trial court order which...