Patna: Patna marked an important day for its legal and judicial system as Pawan Kumar Bhimappa Bajantri officially took charge as the 46th Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. The swearing-in ceremony was held at the historic Raj Bhavan, where Governor Arif Mohammad Khan administered the oath of office. The event was attended by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Chaudhary, senior members of the judiciary, and several other prominent figures, reflecting the significance of the occasion for Bihar.
Justice Bajantri’s appointment is seen as a major development for Bihar’s justice system. As Chief Justice, he will head the Patna High Court — the highest court in the state — and will play a key role in ensuring that justice is delivered promptly and fairly. The Patna High Court handles thousands of cases every year, ranging from constitutional matters and public interest litigations to appeals from lower courts. Justice Bajantri’s leadership is expected to bring renewed focus on clearing case backlogs, improving access to justice, and ensuring transparency in court proceedings.
Justice Bajantri brings with him decades of legal experience. He enrolled as a lawyer with the Bar Council of the Karnataka High Court in 1990 and practiced law in various branches, building a reputation for his deep knowledge of legal issues. His judicial career began on January 2, 2015, when he was appointed as an additional judge of the Karnataka High Court. Just two months later, on March 16, 2015, he was transferred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, where he continued to serve until November 2018 before returning to the Karnataka High Court as a permanent judge. His long exposure to diverse cases in different states is expected to give him a broad perspective as he takes over in Bihar.
The appointment comes after Justice Vipul M. Pancholi, the former Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, was elevated to the Supreme Court of India. This change in leadership is significant, as it represents a moment of transition for the state’s judiciary. Observers believe Justice Bajantri’s experience across multiple high courts will help bring new energy and ideas to the Patna High Court’s functioning.
The judiciary in Bihar faces the challenge of a heavy workload, with thousands of pending cases waiting to be heard. Legal experts have expressed hope that Justice Bajantri’s tenure will focus on increasing efficiency and speeding up the delivery of justice. His track record suggests he is committed to strengthening the justice system and upholding the rule of law, something that will have a direct impact on citizens who depend on the courts for redress.
