Patna High Court

AJODHI SADA @ AYODHI SADAversusSTATE OF BIHAR

Decided: 24 April 2026
Disposal: ABATED
Bench: THE CHIEF JUSTICE HARISH KUMAR

Holding

The appeal stands abated and is disposed of as the appellant is dead and no relative applied for leave to continue.

Summary

The appellant, Ajodhi Sada, filed a criminal appeal against the State of Bihar. During the pendency of the appeal, the police reported that the appellant had died. Under Section 394 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (corresponding to Section 435 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), an appeal may be abated if the appellant is dead and no near relative applies for leave to continue. No relative filed such an application. Consequently, the High Court held that the appeal stands abated and ordered its disposal, directing the trial court record to be sent back to the lower court.

Issues considered

Whether a criminal appeal can continue when the appellant is deceased and no near relative applies for leave to proceed

Legislation cited

Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — s. 435
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 — s. 394

Subjects

criminal appeal
abated appeal
death of appellant
Section 394 CrPC
procedural law

Judgment

                     IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
                                 CRIMINAL APPEAL (DB) No.294 of 2005
                 ======================================================
                 Ajodhi Sada @ Ayodhi Sada, S/O Late Fuddi Sada, Resident of Village-
                 Khikhir Dangi, P.S.-Palasi, District-Araria.


                                                                            ... ... Appellant/s
                                                  Versus
                 The State of Bihar.


                                                           ... ... Respondent/s
                 ======================================================
                 Appearance :
                 For the Appellant/s    :     Mr. Anil Prasad Singh, Advocate
                 For the Respondent/s   :     Mr.
                 ======================================================
                 CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
                         and
                         HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH KUMAR
                                       ORAL ORDER

                 (Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)

3   24-04-2026                    Perused the Letter No. 339 dated 12.03.2026 of the

                   Superintendent of Police, Araria along with the Report dated

                   10.03.2026 of the Police Inspector-cum-S.H.O, Palasi Police

                   Station, Araria, wherein it is indicated that during enquiry it

                   came to light that the sole appellant, namely, Ajodhi Sada @

                   Ayodhi Sada, is dead.

                               2. In view of the said letter as also Section 394 of the

                   Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, which corresponds to

                   Section 435 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023,

                   since no near relative has filed any application for leave to

                   continue the appeal, the Criminal Appeal stands abated and

                   disposed of.
         Patna High Court CR. APP (DB) No.294 of 2005(3) dt.24-04-2026
                                                     2/2




                                3. Let the trial court record be sent back to the

                   concerned court immediately, if not required in any other cases.



                                        (Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)


                                               (Harish Kumar, J)
Neha/-

U

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