The recent rulings by the Patna High Court and the Supreme Court of India have raised critical questions regarding land rights and the preservation of historical institutions in Bihar. The Patna High Court has intervened in a case involving the eviction of a Mahadalit woman, while the Supreme Court has struck down a controversial law aimed at acquiring a century-old library and research institute.

What led to the Patna High Court’s intervention?

On March 10, 2026, the Patna High Court directed the Bihar government to halt the eviction of Saroj Devi from her settlement in Begusarai district. This decision came as the court sought clarification from the state regarding the Bihar Land Encroachment Act of 1956. The court’s ruling emphasized the need for due process and protection of vulnerable populations, particularly in the context of land rights.

Supreme Court’s ruling on the library acquisition law

In a separate but equally significant ruling, the Supreme Court struck down a Bihar law that sought to acquire the Srimati Radhika Sinha Institute and Sachchidananda Sinha Library, established in 1924 by Sachchidanand Sinha in memory of his wife, Radhika Sinha. The court found the law to be manifestly arbitrary and in violation of Article 14 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law.

Details of the law and its implications

The 2015 Act allowed the state to take over the library for a token compensation of just one rupee. The Supreme Court ruled that such a provision was confiscatory and failed to meet constitutional scrutiny. The court stated, “A statutory provision that enables acquisition of property while reducing compensation to a token amount lacks the basic attributes of fairness.” This ruling restores the management and administration rights of the library to its trustees, reversing the effects of the 2015 Act.

Historical context of the library

The Srimati Radhika Sinha Institute and Sachchidananda Sinha Library was created through a trust supported by Sachchidanand Sinha’s personal funds, which included a contribution of 50,000 rupees from the sale of ancestral property, and a donation of 10,000 volumes of books. The library has served as a significant cultural and educational resource in Patna for nearly a century.

What comes next?

As the Patna High Court continues to seek clarification from the Bihar government regarding land rights, the implications of these rulings may extend beyond the immediate cases. The decisions highlight the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities in securing their rights and the importance of protecting historical institutions from arbitrary state actions.

These recent rulings by the Patna High Court and the Supreme Court underscore the judiciary’s role in safeguarding individual rights and historical legacies in Bihar. As the legal landscape evolves, further developments in these cases will be closely monitored.

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