Question

The High Courts in India was first started at ______________.
A. Chennai, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh
B. Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata
C. Mumbai, Orissa, Allahabad
D. Delhi and Kolkata

Answer 1

Hint: In India, the High Courts and stands at the head of a States’ judicial administration. There total 25 High Courts in India. Article 214 to 231 of Indian Constitution mentions the provisions of the High Court.

Complete Step by Step Answer: In India, Calcutta High Court is the first High Court of the country. On the recommendation of the Law Commission, in 1858, the Parliament passed the Indian High Courts Act 1861 which suggested the establishment of High Courts in place of the Supreme Court in Calcutta, Madras and Bombay Presidencies. To become a judge of a High Court:
- One must be a citizen of India
- A person must have held a judicial office in India for at least 10 years.
- He must have also been an advocate for at least 10 years or more in one or more High Courts.
A salary of a judge cannot be reduced during his tenure. In times of financial emergency, the President can order a reduction in their salaries, etc.
Now let us examine the options;
Option A – Chennai is one of the three states where the High Courts of India first started but the high courts were later started at Kerala in 1958 and Andhra Pradesh in 1956
Option B – The three Presidencies where the High Courts first started are Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata in the year 1862.
Option C - Mumbai is one of the three presidencies where the High Courts of India first started but the High Courts were later established at Orissa in 1948 and Allahabad in 1869.
Option D – The High Courts in India first started in three states and not two. Hence this option is not correct.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

Note: The reasons behind the implementation of the Indian High Courts Act 1861 were the need for a separate judiciary body for different states of the country. To establish a different judiciary body, the British Government decided to abolish the then-existing Supreme Court and Sadar Adalat, by replacing it with the High Court.