Patna: The Patna high court has asked the Bihar government to clarify whether any law exists to regulate the operation of private boys’ and girls’ hostels in the state, raising concerns over safety, licensing and oversight.
The court directed the state to file an affidavit on the issue ahead of the next hearing, scheduled for February 20.
The question arose during the first hearing of a public interest litigation (CWJC-1142/2026) filed on January 19 by advocate Madhav Raj, a resident of Sheikhpura district. The petition followed the alleged rape and death of a NEET student and seeks the enactment of a comprehensive law to regulate private hostels, with provisions for safety, security, sanitation, and food and lodging standards.
A bench comprising the chief justice, Sangam Kumar Sahoo, and Justice Vivek Chaudhary heard the matter on Saturday.
Arguing for the petitioner, Raj told the court that Bihar has no statutory framework governing private hostels, allowing them to operate without licences or official monitoring. He said there was no centralised government record of how many such hostels were functioning in Patna or elsewhere in the state.
The petition alleges that many hostels charge high fees while failing to provide basic facilities, including adequate security and sanitation. It further claims that incidents involving injury, death and exploitation of residents—particularly women—are frequently reported, highlighting systemic gaps in oversight.
Raj drew the court’s attention to legislation enacted in Tamil Nadu, citing the Tamil Nadu Hostels and Homes for Women and Children (Regulation) Act, 2014. Under that law, hostels must obtain licences and government permission to operate, with violations punishable by up to two years’ imprisonment and a fine of Rs 50,000.
After hearing the submissions, the high court asked the Bihar government to state whether any comparable legal framework exists in the state and to respond to the safety concerns raised. The matter will be taken up again on February 20.
