Who is Justice P.B. Bajanthri, the New Chief Justice of Patna High Court?

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Who is Justice P.B. Bajanthri, the New Chief Justice of Patna High Court?

Synopsis

In a significant judicial appointment, President Droupadi Murmu has named Justice P.B. Bajanthri as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court. With a rich legal background and experience, Bajanthri steps into this prestigious role following his tenure as Acting Chief Justice. This article delves into his journey and the implications of this appointment.

Key Takeaways

  • Justice P.B. Bajanthri appointed as Chief Justice of Patna High Court.
  • Previously served as Acting Chief Justice.
  • Rich experience in judiciary since 2015.
  • Strong educational background from Bengaluru.
  • Appointment aligns with recent judicial reforms.

New Delhi, Sep 20 (NationPress) President Droupadi Murmu has officially appointed Justice Pavankumar Bhimappa Bajanthri as the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on Saturday, as confirmed by an official statement.

The newly appointed Chief Justice, aged 62, took his oath as a Judge of the Patna High Court on October 20, 2021. Recently, he was serving as the Acting Chief Justice following the promotion of Chief Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi to the Supreme Court.

Bajanthri began his judicial journey as an Additional Judge of the Karnataka High Court on January 2, 2015, before being transferred to the High Court of Punjab and Haryana on March 16, 2015. He officially took his oath as a Judge of the Karnataka High Court on November 17, 2018.

His legal career commenced in 1990 when he enrolled as an advocate, practicing in various courts including the Karnataka High Court, KAT, CAT, and Educational Authorities. Notably, he served as a KPSC Standing Counsel during 1993-94 and was appointed as Notary by the Government of India in May 2006.

Justice Bajanthri received his education from Vidyavardhaka Sangha, K.L.E. Society, and S.J.R.C. Law College in Bengaluru.

Earlier this month, Advocate Arun Kumar was appointed as a Judge of the Allahabad High Court, as per a statement from the Law and Justice Ministry.

Furthermore, Justices Johnson John, G.U. Girish, and C. Pratheep Kumar, who had been functioning as Additional Judges, were confirmed as Permanent Judges of the Kerala High Court.

Last month, the Centre approved the elevation of Bombay High Court Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Patna High Court Chief Justice Pancholi to the Supreme Court.

In a post shared on X, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal announced that the President, following consultations with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), was pleased to appoint Justices Aradhe and Pancholi as judges of the Supreme Court.

With these appointments, the Supreme Court now meets its sanctioned strength of 34 judges, including the Chief Justice of India.

The Supreme Court Collegium, in its meeting on August 25, 2025, recommended the elevation of the following Chief Justices of High Courts as Judges in the Supreme Court: (i) Justice Alok Aradhe, Chief Justice of the High Court of Bombay (PHC: High Court of Madhya Pradesh); (ii) Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi, Chief Justice of the High Court of Judicature at Patna (PHC: High Court of Gujarat). This information was released in a statement on the apex court's official website.

Point of View

I believe Justice Bajanthri's appointment marks a significant moment for the judiciary, reinforcing the importance of experience and proven ability in our highest courts. His extensive background in law positions him to address critical issues within the judicial system, ensuring justice is upheld.
NationPress
20/09/2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Who appointed Justice P.B. Bajanthri?
Justice P.B. Bajanthri was appointed by President Droupadi Murmu.
What is Justice Bajanthri's previous role?
Before his appointment, Justice Bajanthri served as the Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court.
When did Bajanthri take his oath as a Judge?
He took his oath as a Judge of the Patna High Court on October 20, 2021.
What is Justice Bajanthri's educational background?
Justice Bajanthri studied at Vidyavardhaka Sangha, K.L.E. Society, and S.J.R.C. Law College in Bengaluru.
What is the significance of this appointment?
This appointment highlights the importance of experience in the judiciary and aims to strengthen the legal framework in India.