Territorial Jurisdiction of Bhagalpur Judgeship
Geographically Bhagalpur District lies between 25.7 25.30 north latitude and between 86-37.30 longitude. It has total area of 2569 square kilometers and its height is 43 meter (140.1 feet from M.S.L.) The Population of Bhagalpur as per 2011 census is 30,32,226.The population of Banka as per 2011 census is 2029339.
Bhagalpur District is one of the oldest district of Bihar. It is situated on plain of Ganges basin. This district is surrounded by Munger, Khagadia, Madhepura, Purnea & Katihar districts of Bihar & Deoghar Godda Sahebganj District of Jharkhand. This District was established in the year 1775. At that time it consists of the whole area of Bhagalpur division including Madhepura, Saharsha, Supaul, Purnea, Araria, Kishanganj, old Santhal pargana and division of Malda and Darjelling. Bhagalpur judgeship was started in the year 1857. The first District Judge of Bhagalpur judgeship was Mr. I. Sayndis.
Bhagalpur is a city of historical importance. It was connected with the state capital Patna and Calcutta through the river of Ganga since Ramayan and Mahabharat period. According to hindu mythology 'Samudra Manthan' (Churning of the sea) took place in which 'Devas' as well as 'Asur' participated. The mythological hill, which was used as churner of 'Samudra' is called 'Mandar Parvat' or 'Mandar Hill'. It is situated 52 Kms south from Bhagalpur City.
In Mahabharata era the Bhagalpur was a part of Ang kingdom ruled by Raza Karn, an ancient cap sculpture of era of great emperor Ashok was found in Sultanganj. A temple of Gupta period is also exists here. The ruins of ancient historical Vikramshila University are located 44 kms east from Bhagalpur. Bhagalpur is the birth place of one of the Twenty four Tirthankara namely Basu Pujya. The Bhagalpur is famous for its silk production. It is popularly known as silk city. At present Bhagalpur judgeship consists of three Sub-division namely Banka, Naugachia and Bhagalpur. Now Banka became a separate district, but judgeship at Banka has not been created as yet. Bhagalpur District consists of three revenue sub-division i-e. Bhagalpur, Naugachia and Kahalgaon.
Salient Features Of Bhagalpur Judgeship
Bhagalpur Judgeship is an oldest Judgeship among those created during British India. It was established in 1858. Its Jurisdiction embraced the entire area covered by the commissioner's jurisdiction which was extended up to Malda and Darjeeling. The first Judge appointed at Bhagalpur Judgeship was Mr. I Sayandis who was an ICS officer of British India. The first Pleader was Sri SURYA NARAYAN SINGH who had enrolled to practice here. The first public prosecutor was Sir. GIRISH CHANDARA BANERJEE. At that time this Judgeship was under the administrative control of Hon'ble High Court of Calcutta.
However, Bhagalpur District was established in the year 1775 then it consists the whole area the present of Bhagalpur division including Madhepura, Saharsa, Supaul, Katihar, Araria, Kisanganj, old Santhal Pargana and Division as Malda and Darjeeling. From 1757 to 1857 the administration of Justice was in the hand of District Magistrate, and Courts were called as Company's Court. The first District Magistrate was Mr. CLEVELAND, an ICS officer of British India. It is worth to mention here that in the medieval India during the Maghal Period the existence of administration of Justice was also found under ZILA QUAJI who was discharging the power of Judiciary at Bhagalpur.
After independence of India, Bhagalpur Judgeship comprises of two District i.e. Bhagalpur and Saharsa. The Civil Court Subordinate of District Judge comprised of one permanent Court and two Additional Courts of Subordinate Judges at Bhagalpur and two permanent courts of Munsifs at Banka. Besides these there were two additional courts of District and Session Judge at Sadar Bhagalpur.
Since the introduction of scheme of separation of Executive and Judicial function , the system of Magistrate 1st class was introduced. The Registrar system was first introduced in this District in the year 1950 on tem