Jharkhand High Court

History

A circuit bench of the Patna High Court was established at Ranchi on 6 March 1972 under clause 36 of the letters patent of the Patna High Court. The circuit bench became the permanent bench of the Patna High Court, by the High Court at Patna (Establishment of Permanent Bench at Ranchi) Act 1976 (Act 57 of 1976) on 8 April 1976. This permanent bench finally became the Jharkhand High Court on reorganisation of Bihar state on 15 November 2000, under the Bihar Reorganisation Act, 2000.

In 2013, the Government of Jharkhand approved plans for a new High Court complex at Dhurwa, Ranchi, in view of the growing caseload and limited capacity of the old building at Doranda. Construction began in 2015 on an area of about 165 acres, of which 72 acres were earmarked for the main court complex. The foundation stone was laid with the aim of creating a modern judicial infrastructure and work continued for nearly eight years.

The new building of the Jharkhand High Court was inaugurated by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, on 24 May 2023 in the presence of the Chief Justice of India, D.Y. Chandrachud, and other dignitaries. Spread over 165 acres, it is the largest High Court complex in India by area. The project was built at an estimated cost of around ₹550 crore for construction, while including land acquisition and associated facilities, the overall cost has been estimated at close to ₹1,000 crore.

The main structure contains 25 air-conditioned courtrooms with adjoining judges’ chambers, ante rooms and waiting areas. The Chief Justice’s block includes a video conference hall, kitchen, dining area and a large conference room. For the Bar, the complex provides two large halls with a combined capacity of 1,660 advocates, 76 senior advocate chambers with attached toilets and pantries, 369 additional lawyer chambers, recreation halls for men and women, clerks’ halls and a bar room. The central lobby measures nearly 14,000 square feet.

Supporting infrastructure includes 12 conference rooms, registrar chambers, offices for the Advocate General and public prosecutors, auditoriums, committee halls, typist blocks, dispensaries, barracks and two canteens. The complex also provides parking space for about 2,000 vehicles and is under surveillance with more than 500 CCTV cameras. Built with sustainable features, the new campus has a 2,000 KVA solar system that supplies about 40% of its power needs, a sewage treatment plant of 200 KLD capacity to recycle water, and more than 4,400 trees planted within the grounds. The entire facility is designed as a modern judicial hub combining functionality, security, and environmental sustainability.

Chief Justice and Judges

Jharkhand High Court is permitted to have a maximum of 25 judges of which 20 may be permanently appointed and 5 may be additionally appointed. Currently, it has 15 judges.

Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak is the current Chief Justice of the Jharkhand High Court, having assumed office on 9 January 2026.

Former Chief Justices

List of former Chief Justices of High Court of Jharkhand:

Judges elevated to Supreme Court

Currently serving

Former Judges

Judges of Jharkhand High Court who served as Chief Justice of India

Judges elevated as Chief Justices

References

• Jurisdiction and Seats of Indian High Courts
• Recent News and Judgments Jharkhand High Court

References

1. "High Court of Jharkhand, India".
2. (2023-05-24). "Droupadi Murmu inaugurates country's largest High Court in Jharkhand".
3. "PRESIDENT OF INDIA INAUGURATES NEW BUILDING OF THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND".
4. (2023-05-24). "President Murmu inaugurates new Jharkhand High Court building".
5. (2023-05-17). "Prez to open new HC bldg on May 24". The Times of India.
6. (2023-05-28). "Jharkhand’s new HC complex biggest in the country by area: Few things to know".
7. (2023-05-28). "Jharkhand’s new HC complex biggest in the country by area: Few things to know".
8. (2023-05-24). "President Draupadi Murmu to inaugurate country's 'largest' high court in Jharkhand {{!}} Know Details".
9. "President Draupadi Murmu to inaugurate country's 'largest' high court on May 24".
10. "SITTING JUDGES OF HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND {{!}} High Court of Jharkhand, India".
11. PTI. (2026-01-09). "Justice Mahesh Sharadchandra Sonak sworn in as Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court". The Hindu.
12. [https://web.archive.org/web/20140106143416/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-11-16/india/44137413_1_new-chief-justice-oath-jharkhand-hc]