About High Court Of Judicature At Patna
The Patna High Court building on its completion was formally opened by the same Viceroy in a durbar held for the purpose on Thursday. The 3rd February, 1916. On this occasion Lord Hardinge made the following observations :- I am about to perform an almost unique duty and one which I do not think has fallen to the lot of any previous Viceroy I think when I look at this fine building that the people of this province may congratulate themselves in many ways on their new institution. It will be itself is an emblem of the great, and, perhaps, even weightier, in its decision as between the individual and the State. With my most earnest wishes that the labour of this Court may be inspired with wisdom, justice and mercy I will now proceed to open the building. The High Court actually commenced work from the 1st March, 1916. On that day the Hon’ble Judges wore full court dress. They were robed in red gowns, wigs, black knee breeches, black silk stockings and buckled patent leather shoes. Exactly at 10.35 the Judges entered the Chief Justice’s Court room and took their seats on red morocco stuffed armless chairs on the dais. The Registrar of the Court, the Commissioner of the Division, the Commissioner of Excise and Registration and some local high officials took their seat on the dais behind the Judges. The Judges were welcomed on behalf of the Bar by Maulana Mazharul Haq, Barrister-at-Law. The Hon’ble the Chief Justice then announced the establishment of a High Court of Judicature for the province of Bihar and Orissa and the transfer of Jurisdiction Hitherto exercised in the province by the High court of Judicature at Fort William in Bengal to this Court.