Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri Sworn In as Chief Justice of Patna High Court
Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri took oath as Patna High Court chief justice, administered by Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan.
Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri was administered the oath of office as the 46th Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on September 21, 2025, in a solemn ceremony at Raj Bhavan. Bihar Governor Arif Mohammad Khan officiated the swearing-in, attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary, and several judicial and political dignitaries. The event marked a seamless transition in Bihar's apex judicial body, underscoring the state's commitment to robust legal governance amid ongoing reforms.
The Union Ministry of Law and Justice issued the notification on September 20, appointing Bajanthri under Article 222 of the Constitution, in consultation with Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud. Born on October 23, 1963, in Karnataka, Bajanthri graduated from Vidhyavardhaka Sangha, K.L.E. Society, and S.J.R.C. Law College in Bangalore.
Elevated as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on January 2, 2015, he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court on March 16, 2015, before repatriation to Karnataka on November 17, 2018. He joined the Patna High Court on October 20, 2021, where he served on the division bench, delivering key judgements on family law, marriage, divorce, and related matters.
Bajanthri succeeds Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, who assumed charge as the 45th Chief Justice on July 14, 2025, before his elevation to the Supreme Court on August 27, 2025. Bajanthri had been functioning as acting chief justice since then, ensuring continuity. The Patna High Court, established on February 3, 1916, under Letters Patent by the British Crown, is one of India's oldest high courts and exercises original and appellate jurisdiction over Bihar's 31 districts. It handles over 500,000 cases annually, focusing on constitutional matters, civil disputes, and criminal appeals, while pioneering initiatives like the 1991 Legal Aid Committee to assist underprivileged litigants.
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The appointment highlights the judiciary's emphasis on experienced judges from diverse backgrounds to address Bihar's mounting caseload—exceeding 3 million pending cases—and enhance access to justice in a state with significant rural and socio-economic challenges. A full court reference is scheduled for September 22, where fellow judges will extend formal welcomes.
Bajanthri's tenure, expected to last until his superannuation in October 2025, is anticipated to prioritise e-filing expansions and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, building on the court's centenary celebrations in 2016 that commemorated its legacy of impartial administration.
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