Tracing the Evolution: Formation and Milestones of the Jharkhand High Court

Introduction

Jharkhand High Court, incorporated on 15th November 2000, is a landmarker in upholding the cause of justice and legal acumen in the state. The high court has remained the pace-setting institution of judicial development in Jharkhand, introducing fresh solutions to peculiar legal issues confronting the region, and upholding the rule of law since the day it took office. The article explores the formation, evolution, and benchmarks of the Jharkhand High Court tracing its trajectory and impact on Indian judiciary.​

Historical Background

Formation of the State of Jharkhand

The Jharkhand state was constituted out of the state of Bihar on 15 November 2000 by way of the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000. It was done for the purpose of fulfilling the peculiar cultural, economic, and administrative requirements of tribal-dominated areas of southern Bihar. With the constitution of the new state, a need arose to have an autonomous High Court that would cater to the judicial needs of Jharkhand.

Formation of the Jharkhand High Court

The area was under the jurisdiction of the Patna High Court before the formation of the Jharkhand High Court. A circuit bench of Patna High Court was established at Ranchi on March 6, 1972, and later permanently by the High Court at Patna (Establishment of Permanent Bench at Ranchi) Act, 1976, on April 8, 1976. The ranchi bench came to be established to make Jharkhand a separate state with Jharkhand being established to establish the Jharkhand High Court by developing Ranchi. It gave the state its most superior judicial organization.

Infrastructure and Jurisdiction

Location and Jurisdiction
The Jharkhand High Court is situated in Ranchi, the state capital of Jharkhand. It has jurisdiction over the whole state, dealing with civil and criminal matters. The court maintains the interpretation and application of the Constitution and laws in the state, protecting the rights and freedoms of its citizens.

Initial Infrastructure

In the beginning, the High Court was functioning from the premises where the Ranchi bench of the Patna High Court was situated. With the growing judicial requirements of the state, the constraints of the available infrastructure were felt, and a new and bigger facility had to be built.​

Key Milestones

Judicial Strength Enhancement

When it was formed, the sanctioned strength of judges in the Jharkhand High Court stood at 12. Keeping the growing workload in mind and a desire for the smooth functioning of judicial processes, the strength of judges was boosted to 20 on November 1, 2007, and then again to 25. ​

Judicial Academy Establishment

For the encouragement of judicial officers’ skill development and enhancement of continuous legal education, the Judicial Academy Jharkhand was inaugurated on March 7, 2002, at Ranchi. The academy initially operated from the Shri Krishna Institute of Public Administration before moving to its own campus near Dhurwa Dam in 2015. The academy performs a very important function in training judges and staff judicial, which facilitates the administration of justice effectively. ​

Inauguration of New High Court Building

To solve the infrastructural issues, a new High Court complex was built in the Dhurwa locality of Ranchi. Spread across 165 acres, this modern facility was inaugurated by President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu, May 24, 2023. The complex has been planned with modern facilities, including energy-efficient infrastructure, an auditorium that can accommodate 1000 persons, conference halls, and individual spaces for legal professionals. This accomplishment is a milestone towards the evolution of the court, increasing its ability to function in the best interests of the people.

Technological Developments

E-Filing and Virtual Hearings

Continuing the culture of innovation, the Jharkhand High Court has been introducing e-filing systems through which legal documents are submitted electronically. This speeds up the filing process, decreases documentation, and optimizes access for litigants and attorneys.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual hearing mechanisms were also introduced by the court in order to sustain judicial proceedings. On December 15, 2021, the Jharkhand High Court started live streaming its proceedings on YouTube and became the sixth High Court of India to undertake this step. ​

Eminent Chief Justices

There have been quite a few renowned Chief Justices presiding over the Jharkhand High Court since it opened. Precisely:

• Justice Vinod Kumar Gupta: The very first Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court.
• Justice Gyan Sudha Misra: The court’s first female Chief Justice, who subsequently became a judge in the Supreme Court of India.
• Justice R. Banumathi: Joined the Supreme Court too, a reflection of the superior quality of judicial leadership in Jharkhand.​

These leaders have played pivotal roles in defining the court’s jurisprudence as well as administrative effectiveness.​

Conclusion

The past of the Jharkhand High Court from its inception till date is that of exemplary performance and innovative strides. Through infrastructural development, technological integration, and committed leadership, the court has continued to improve to respond to the state’s judicial needs. In dispensing justice and the rule of law as it goes on, the Jharkhand High Court remains a pillar of the state’s democratic system.