Patna High Court
JOYTISH MAHTOversusSTATE OF BIHAR
- Decided
- Disposal
- ABATED
Holding
The criminal appeal stands abated and is disposed of under Section 394 CrPC (now Section 435 B.N.S. 2023).
Summary
Joytish Mahto filed a criminal appeal against the State of Bihar. While the appeal was pending, the appellant died, and a death certificate was produced. The court examined the letters from the Superintendent of Police and the police inspector confirming the death. Relying on Section 394 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (now mirrored by Section 435 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), the court held that an appeal abates if the appellant dies and no near relative applies for leave to continue. Consequently, the appeal was abated and disposed of, and the trial court records were ordered to be sent back.
Issues considered
- Does a criminal appeal stand abated upon the death of the appellant when no near relative files an application for leave to continue?
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — s. 435
- Criminal Procedure Code — s. 394
Subjects
- criminal appeal
- abatement
- death of appellant
- Section 394 CrPC
- procedural law
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL APPEAL (DB) No.424 of 2009
======================================================
Joytish Mahto, Son of Late Pancha Nand Mahto, Resident of Village-
Gowabakhar, Police Station-Banka, District-Banka.
... ... Appellant/s
Versus
State of Bihar
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Appellant/s : Mr. Sita Ram Yadav, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr.G.P.Jaiswal, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)
3 12-05-2026 Perused the Letter No. 951 dated 08.05.2026 of the
Superintendent of Police, Banka along with the report of Police
Inspector cum S.H.O., Banka Police Station, Banka dated
04.05.2026, wherein it is indicated that during enquiry it came
to light that the sole appellant Joytish Mahto has died. Death
Certificate of the appellant issued by Department of Planning
and Development, Government of Bihar, Patna, has also been
enclosed with the said report.
2. In view of the said letters 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
Patna High Court CR. APP (DB) No.424 of 2009(3) dt.12-05-2026
2/2
disposed of.
3. Let the trial court records be sent back to the
concerned court immediately, if not required in any other case.
(Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)
( Harish Kumar, J)
ranjan/-
U
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