An Overview of Jharkhand High Court’s Structure and Legal Jurisdiction

The Jharkhand High Court, established on 15 November 2000, is the apex court in the state. With its headquarters at Ranchi, the capital city, it was established by bifurcation of the state of Bihar and is a milestone in India’s judiciary development. This article is a comprehensive statement of the court institution and jurisdiction, its evolution, organisational setup, and the extent of legal jurisdiction.

1. Historical Background

Before the formation of this state, this area was governed by the Patna High Court. In the year 1972, the Ranchi area was granted a circuit bench, and then it flourished as a permanent bench in the year 1976. After the formation of Jharkhand as a new state in the year 2000, the new state’s unique legal requirements became met with the formation of the Jharkhand High Court.

2. Organizational Structure

2.1. Composition
The Jharkhand High Court is headed by the Chief Justice and has a strength of 25 judges. The President of India appoints the judges after consulting with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of Jharkhand.​

2.2. Court Divisions
The court has different divisions to deal with different types of cases:
Civil Division: Deals with civil cases, including property, contracts, and family cases.​

• Criminal Division: Deals with criminal cases of petty to serious nature.​
• Writ Division: Deals with petitions under enforcement of fundamental rights under Article 226 of the Constitution.
• Appellate Division: Enters into appeals against orders of subordinate courts of the state.​

2.3. Administrative Framework
The day-to-day work of the court, including administration of personnel, case work, and coordination of subordinate courts, is carried out by the Registrar General.

3. Jurisdiction

3.1. Territorial Jurisdiction
The territorial jurisdiction of the court extends over the entire state of Jharkhand and all its districts and lower courts.

3.2. Subject-Matter Jurisdiction
3.2.1. Original Jurisdiction
According to Article 226 of the Constitution, the High Court is empowered to issue writs in aid of enforcement of constitutional rights and for any other reason. This enables the court to enforce constitutional rights violation through direct intervention.

3.2.2. Appellate Jurisdiction
High Court receives appeals against the decisions of the lower criminal and civil courts. These include appeals in criminal cases, family law cases, and civil cases.

3.2.3. Supervisory Jurisdiction
High Court, pursuant to Article 227, has supervisory jurisdiction over all the lower courts and tribunals subordinate to it to supervise the administration of justice.

3.2.4. Special Jurisdiction
It also adjudicates company law, taxation, and arbitration matters, among others, as mandated by different enactments.​

4. Infrastructural and Technological Upgrades

4.1. Court Complex
The Jharkhand High Court functions from a new complex in Ranchi with modern infrastructure to serve the judiciary, advocates, and litigants.​

4.2. E-Courts Initiative
As part of the national e-Courts initiative, the Jharkhand High Court has made different technological upgrades:

• E-Filing: Enables electronic submission of court documents.
• Case Information System (CIS): Provides direct access to court orders and case status.​
• Virtual Hearings: Allows for virtual court hearings, increasing accessibility and efficiency.​

All these are meant to make judicial processes more efficient and transparent.​

5. Legal Aid and Public Outreach

The judiciary and the Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) render free legal aid to weaker sections of society. This encompasses organizing legal awareness camps, Lok Adalats (courts of the people), and mediation centers in an effort to create alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

6. Challenges and Future Prospects

6.1. Challenges
Case Backlog: As in all Indian courts, the Jharkhand High Court suffers from a bad case backlog, which causes tardiness in justice.

• Resource Constraints: Physical infrastructure and man power of the court being restricted can become an impediment.

6.2. Future Prospects
Infrastructure Expansion: Expanding the infrastructure of the court to accommodate the increasing number of cases and manpower is proposed moot.

• Technological Integration: Technology implementation will enable the management of cases and stem delays.
• Capacity Building: Its capacity building, encompassing training for judges and court staff, is designed to enhance the overall quality of judicial services.​

Conclusion

Jharkhand High Court is the center of gravity in ensuring justice and rule of law in the state. Though problems in most courts are common, its focus on modernization and public service makes it the pillar of the legal system of Jharkhand.