Mukherjee inaugurates Patna HC centenary celebrations

President Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the centenary celebrations of the Patna High Court here on Saturday.

Highlighting the glorious history of the high court, he also released a postal stamp on the occasion.

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar used the occasion to request for more judges for the high court to ensure quicker disposal of the cases.

The judiciary of Bihar has taken a leading role in establishing rule of law, and perhaps, has the highest conviction rate in the country, Kumar said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice H.L. Dattu, Union Law Minister D.V. Sadanand Gowda, Union Information and Technology Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad, Bihar Governor Kesharinath Tripathi and Patna High Court Chief Justice L Narsimha Reddy also addressed the distinguished gathering.

The event was conducted inside the Patna High Court amidst tight security.

All dignitaries recalled the glorious past of the Patna High Court and the legal luminaries that had graced it, including India's first president Dr.Rajendra Prasad.

The Patna High Court will turn 100 early next year as it had commenced work on March 1, 1916.

On December 1, 1913, the then Viceroy of India, Lord Hardinge had laid the foundation stone of the Patna High Court building and inaugurated it on February 3, 1916. Sir Edward Maynard Des Champs Chamier was the first chief justice of the Patna High Court.