Patna High Court
JAGDEO MAHTOversusTHE STATE OF BIHAR
- Decided
- Disposal
- ABATED
Holding
The appeal is abated and disposed of when the appellant dies and no near relative files an application for leave to continue the appeal.
Summary
The appellant, Jagdeo Mahto, filed a criminal appeal (DB) No.884 of 2008 before the Patna High Court. During the pendency of the appeal, the police confirmed that the appellant had died, and a death certificate was attached to the report. The court examined the applicable provision, Section 394 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (corresponding to Section 435 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023), which mandates abatement of an appeal if the appellant is deceased and no near relative applies for leave to continue. Since no relative filed such an application, the court held that the appeal could not proceed. Consequently, the appeal was abated and disposed of, and the trial court record was ordered to be sent back to the lower court.
Issues considered
- What is the effect on a pending criminal appeal when the appellant dies and no near relative seeks leave to continue the appeal under the relevant procedural law?
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 — s. 435
- Criminal Procedure Code — s. 394
Subjects
- criminal appeal
- abated appeal
- death of appellant
- CrPC
- procedural law
Judgment
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA
CRIMINAL APPEAL (DB) No.884 of 2008
======================================================
Jagdeo Mahto , Son Of Late Buddhu Mahto, R/O Village- Shumbha Tola
Kehuna, P.S. Allauli, District- Khagaria.
... ... Appellant/s
Versus
The State Of Bihar
... ... Respondent/s
======================================================
Appearance :
For the Appellant/s : Mr.Rajesh Kumar, Advocate
For the Respondent/s : Mr.A.Sharma, APP
======================================================
CORAM: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE
and
HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE HARISH KUMAR
ORAL ORDER
(Per: HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE)
6 06-05-2026 Perused the Letter No. 432 dated 28.04.2026 of the
Superintendent of Police, Khagaria along with the report dated
28.04.2026 of the Sub-Inspector of Police, Bahadurpur P.S.,
wherein it is indicated that during enquiry it came to light that
the sole appellant, namely, Jagdeo Mahto, is dead and the death
certificate of the appellant is annexed with the said report.
2. In view of the said report 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.
3. Let the trial court record be sent back to the
Patna High Court CR. APP (DB) No.884 of 2008(6) dt.06-05-2026
2/2
concerned court immediately, if not required in any other cases.
(Sangam Kumar Sahoo, CJ)
( Harish Kumar, J)
guddukr/-
U T
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