{"id":385398,"date":"2026-05-28T15:15:42","date_gmt":"2026-05-28T09:45:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=385398"},"modified":"2026-05-28T15:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-05-28T10:09:09","slug":"know-your-judge-sc-justice-vipul-m-pancholi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/05\/28\/know-your-judge-sc-justice-vipul-m-pancholi\/","title":{"rendered":"Know Thy Judge | Supreme Court of India: Traversing Justice Vipul M. Pancholi\u2019s extensive career and notable decisions"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Born on 28 May 1968, in Ahmedabad, Justice Vipul M. Pancholi’s life and career reveals his commitment towards the principles of justice. From pursuing a highly technical non-legal path in his early academic years to eventually venturing towards law, Justice Pancholi left his indelible imprint on the legal landscape of India.<\/p>\n

Education<\/p>\n

Justice Vipul Manubhai Pancholi completed his Bachelor of Science (Electronics) from St. Xavier’s College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat University, and a Master of Law in the Commercial Group from Sir L.A. Shah Law College, Ahmedabad, Gujarat University1<\/sup><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/span> Justice Pancholi served as the Honorary Joint Editor of The Gujarat Law Herald for two years2<\/sup><\/a><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Career Trajectory<\/p>\n

As an Advocate<\/h2>\n

Justice Pancholi entered the Bar in September 1991 and began his practice as an advocate at the Gujarat High Court. He was appointed as Assistant Government Pleader and Additional Public Prosecutor for the Gujarat High Court, a position he held for seven years until March 2006. He has handled important cases across various branches of law, including Criminal Law, Civil Law, Property Law, Service Law, Family Law, Banking Law, and other legal domains.3<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/span> Exploring his academic side, Justice Pancholi has also taught as a visiting faculty at Sir L.A. Shah Law College, Ahmedabad.4<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

As a Judge<\/h2>\n

On 01-10-2014, Justice Pancholi was elevated as an Additional Judge of the Gujarat High Court and was confirmed as a Permanent Judge on 10 June 2016.5<\/sup><\/a> He was subsequently transferred to the Patna High Court and took his oath as a Judge on 24 July 2023. He became the Chief Justice of the Patna High Court on 21 July 2025.6<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/span> With Justice Vipul M. Pancholi’s elevation, there are now three sitting judges from the Gujarat High Court in the Supreme Court7<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Notable Judgments<\/span><\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/span> Justice Pancholi is in line to become the Chief Justice of India in October 2031 and will serve for a tenure of 1.5 years8<\/sup><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Supreme Court<\/h2>\n

Bhopal Dowry Death Case: SC takes note of assurance to transfer case to CBI; Urges Parties to refrain from making statements before media<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

While deliberating over Alleged institutional bias and procedural discrepancies in the unnatural death of a young girl at her matrimonial home, In re<\/span>9<\/sup><\/a>, concerning allegations of institutional bias and questions over fairness and impartiality of the investigation conducted into the unnatural death of 33-year-old woman at her matrimonial home, the three-Judge Bench of Surya Kant, CJI, Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., took note of the Solicitor General’s assurances to ensure swift hand over of the investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) as the same has already been recommended by the Madhya Pradesh government.<\/p>\n

The Court further emphasised that the family members of the victim and accused should get their statements recorded before the investigating agency so that no prejudice or adverse impact is caused to the ongoing investigation, rather than making statements before the public and media.<\/p>\n

3-Year Legal Practice Rule | Supreme Court Extends Deadline for Application to Entry-Level Judiciary Exams till further orders<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Bhumika Trust<\/span> v. Union of India<\/span>10<\/sup><\/a>, which was a petition pertaining to relaxation for the specially-abled candidates in the 3-year legal practice rule for the recruitment of judicial officers’ exam at the entry level, the three-Judge Bench of Surya Kant, CJI., Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., directed that its interim order dated 13 April 2026 regarding closing date for submission of applications for recruitment as judicial officers at the entry level shall continue to operate till further orders.<\/p>\n

30% women representation mandatory for Bar Associations; failure may lead to suspension: Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Deeksha Amrutesh <\/span>v. State of Karnataka<\/span>, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 666<\/a>, assailing non-compliance with the order dated 13 March 2026, pan-India 30 per cent women representation in Bar Associations mandate in Deeksha Amrutesh<\/span> v. State of Karnataka<\/span>, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 472<\/a>, the three-Judge Bench of Surya Kant CJI, Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., said, “We also deem it necessary to issue a word of caution and a stern warning that wherever the Bar Associations have failed to comply with, or shall be found to have defied, the directions issued hereinabove, such Bar Associations shall be liable to be suspended through a judicial order and fresh elections shall be directed to be conducted<\/span>.”<\/p>\n

Civil Court Can Decide Appointment of Sajjadanashin in Waqf Institutions: Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In a long-standing dispute related to the succession to the spiritual office of Sajjadanashin of the Hazarath Mardane-e-Gaib Dargah, (popularly known as the “Big Makan”) situated at Channapatna, Ramanagara District, where the Karnataka High Court by common judgment dated 16 December 2024 set aside concurrent findings of the trial court and First Appellate Court on the ground that civil courts lacked inherent jurisdiction to adjudicate disputes relating to the office of Sajjadanashin of a notified wakf institution as such jurisdiction was exclusively vested in the Wakf Board, the Division Bench of M.M. Sundresh and Vipul M. Pancholi,* JJ., in Syed Mohd. Ghouse Pasha Khadri <\/span>v. Syed Mohd. Adil Pasha Khadri, <\/span>2026 SCC OnLine SC 518<\/a>, set aside the impugned judgment of High Court and restored the concurrent findings of the trial court and First Appellate Court, holding that civil court has jurisdiction to decide appointment of Sajjadanashin of Hazarath Mardane-e-Gaib Dargah.<\/p>\n

Explained | Supreme Court’s Approval of Enhanced ECC Rates with Annual 5% Increase for Commercial Vehicles Entering Delhi<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In a long-standing environmental litigation regarding enhancement of the Environment Compensation Charge (ECC) levied on commercial vehicles entering Delhi to curb vehicular pollution, the 3-Judge Bench of Surya Kant, CJ., Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., in M.C. Mehta<\/span> v. Union of India<\/span>, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 635<\/a>, approved the proposed revised ECC rates and the recommendation for 5 per cent annual increase in ECC rates, with clarification that such enhancement shall take effect from 1 April 2026.<\/p>\n

Issue of genuineness of arbitration agreement be decided by Arbitrator as preliminary issue under Section 11(6A): Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Salson Liquors (P) Ltd<\/span>. v. United Spirits Ltd.<\/span>, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 335<\/a>, <\/span>arising out of the impugned judgment and order dated 11 February 2025 passed by the Calcutta High Court, a 3-judge bench of Surya Kant, CJ., Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., affirmed the impugned order holding that the issue of genuineness or valid execution of the subject agreements can be taken up as a preliminary issue by the Arbitrator and refused to interfere with the same.<\/p>\n

‘Members of unlawful assembly vicariously liable once common object and participation are proved, regardless of individual acts’; SC upholds conviction of 3 in murder case<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Haribhau <\/span>v. State of Maharashtra, <\/span>2025 SCC OnLine SC 2301<\/a>, filed against the judgment of Bombay High Court, which set aside the acquittal of the appellants-accused persons in a premeditated assault resulting in the death of one person and grievous injury to two others, the Division Bench of Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi*, JJ. noting that the appellants were not passive spectators but integral participants in a premeditated and violent assault, upheld their conviction. The Court held that, irrespective of their individual actions, once the accused shared a common object and actively participated as members of an unlawful assembly, they were vicariously liable under Section 149<\/a> of the Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (‘IPC’).<\/p>\n

Statutory Bodies Cannot Undermine Finality of Judicial Orders; Supreme Court Declares Rent Authority’s Restoration Order Void for Exceeding Jurisdiction<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Rajesh Goyal<\/span> v. Laxmi Construction<\/span>, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2103<\/a>, where the core controversy concerned with the Rent Authority undermining finality of judicial order by permitting to reopen the proceedings that had already attained finality before the Supreme Court and allowing the restoration application by order dated 15 May 2025, the Division Bench of Sanjay Karol* and N. Kotiswar Singh, JJ., declared the Rent Authority’s restoration order as void for lack of jurisdiction. The Court held that “respect for the authority of orders passed post adjudication by a judicial activity, be it this Court or the High Court is a basic principle of judicial comity, more so, upon attaining finality<\/span>”.<\/p>\n

Regarding the show-cause notice issued to the Additional District Magistrate, the Court accepted the unconditional apology tendered and clarified that the proceedings would not affect the officer’s career progression.<\/p>\n

No DNA Test unless Section 112 Presumption of Legitimacy is rebutted and paternity question linked to offence: Inside Supreme Court Ruling<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In R. Rajendran<\/span> v. Kumar Nisha<\/span>, 2025 SCC OnLine SC 2372<\/a>, where the central question was whether to direct DNA testing to establish paternity in a criminal investigation predicated on allegations of an extra-marital relationship between a doctor and his patient’s wife, which purportedly led to the birth of a child, the bench of Prashant Kumar Mishra and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., held that a DNA test to challenge paternity cannot be directed as a matter of routine unless the presumption of legitimacy under Section 112<\/a> of the Evidence Act, 1872<\/a> has been rebutted. The Court held that in the absence of strong, unambiguous evidence of non-access between a married couple, compelling the third party for DNA testing would be an unjustified intrusion into privacy and dignity, especially when the paternity issue was collateral to the core offences of cheating and harassment.<\/p>\n

No pre-award or pendente lite interest, even as compensation, when contract bars it; SC upholds post-award interest<\/span><\/p>\n

In Union of India<\/span> v. Larsen & Tobro Ltd<\/span>., 2026 SCC OnLine SC 327<\/a>, challenging the judgment of the Allahabad High Court dated 25 May 2023, the order of the Commercial Court dated 15 September 2022, and the arbitral award dated 25 December 2018 regarding award of pre-award or pendente lite interest, described as compensation, despite the contractual bar contained in Clause 16(3) and Clause 64(5) of the General Conditions of Contract (GCC), a Division Bench of Sanjay Karol and Vipul M. Pancholi,* JJ., held that the Arbitral Tribunal was not justified in awarding pre-award or pendente lite interest, including amounts in the nature of interest, but was justified in awarding post-award interest, but the rate of interest required modification. Accordingly, the Court set aside the impugned orders and the Arbitral Award to the extent they granted pre-award or pendente lite interest and modified the rate of post-award interest from 12 per cent per annum to 8 per cent per annum, to be applicable from the date of the award until realisation. The Court held that Arbitral Tribunal cannot award pre-award or pendente lite interest, even under the guise of compensation, where contract expressly prohibits payment of interest on amounts payable under the contract. However, post-award interest is governed by Section 31(7)(b)<\/a>, Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a>, and unless expressly barred, it may be granted.<\/p>\n

Legal Representatives Must Challenge Arbitral Awards Under Section 34, Not Article 227 or Section 115 CPC: Supreme Court<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In V.K. John<\/span> v. S. Mukanchand Bothra<\/span>, 2026 SCC OnLine SC 640<\/a>, appeal arising from Madras High Court’s judgment dated 3 February 2023, dismissing a civil revision petition filed by the appellant challenging an arbitral award on the ground that appropriate remedy lays under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996<\/a> (Arbitration and Conciliation Act) and not under Article 227<\/a> of the Constitution of India<\/a>, the Division Bench of Sanjay Karol* and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., affirmed the impugned order, holding that the appropriate relief for a legal representative to challenge an arbitral award was under Section 34<\/a>, Arbitration and Conciliation Act<\/a> and not under Article 227 or Section 115<\/a>, Civil Procedure Code, 1908<\/a> (CPC). The Court also reaffirmed that the Arbitration Act is a self-contained code and that judicial interference outside its framework is permissible only in exceptional circumstances.<\/p>\n

Gujarat High Court<\/h2>\n

Reasonable and Adequate opportunity required to file reply to Income Tax Notice; Gujarat HC quashes Assessment Order<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Dinesh Kumar Chhaganbhai Nandani<\/span> v. Income Tax Officer<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Guj 1833<\/a>, a petition filed under Article 226<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a>, wherein the petitioner was seeking to quash and set aside the impugned assessment order of the Income Tax Officer (‘respondent’) and direct the respondent to pass the fresh assessment order, the Division Bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Devan M. Desai, JJ., allowed the petition and quashed the impugned order as adequate opportunity was not given to the petitioner for filing a complete reply and that it was difficult for the petitioner to submit a complete reply to the respondent within the period of 12 hours.<\/p>\n

Gujarat High Court quashes Order cancelling firm’s GST Registration for serving cryptic and vague Show Cause Notice<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Sona Metals<\/span> v. State of Gujarat<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Guj 1704<\/a>, a petition filed under Article 226<\/a> of the Constitution of India<\/a> for the issuance of writ of certiorari or any other appropriate writ and quashing the order of the Assistant Commissioner, Chatak 19, Ahmedabad, whereby, the GST Registration Number of the petitioner’s firm was cancelled, a division Bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Devan M. Desai JJ., has set aside the said order as it was vague and does not provide any sufficient information.<\/p>\n

Did You Know?<\/span> Justice Vipul M. Pancholi was one of the presiding judges for the pilot implementation of the hybrid hearing system at the Gujarat High Court11<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\n

CAT, Ahmedabad has no jurisdiction to dismiss show cause notice in fake encounter case; Gujarat HC rejects former IPS officer Rajnish Rai’s plea<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Rajnish Kumar Rai, IPS (Retd.)<\/span> v. Union of India<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Guj 1129<\/a>, a civil petition challenging the order of Central Administrative Tribunal, Ahmedabad Bench (‘CAT’), wherein former IPS officer Rajnish Rai’s (‘petitioner’) application challenging the show cause notice was dismissed. The Division Bench of Vipul M. Pancholi and Hasmukh D. Suthar, JJ., dismissed the petition and said that CAT, Ahmedabad did not commit any error while dismissing the original application and review application filed by the petitioner.<\/p>\n

Custody of the minor with the maternal grand-parents does not amount to illegal confinement; Petition by father dismissed<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Sabirbhai Gafarbhai Multani <\/span>v. State of Gujarat<\/span>, 2022 SCC OnLine Guj 747<\/a>, the Division Bench Vipul M. Pancholi and Rajendra M. Sareen, JJ., dismissed a petition filed by the father under Article 226<\/a> of the Constitution of India<\/a> praying for custody of the minor.<\/p>\n

Various aspects like age, gender and dependants taken into consideration while granting anticipatory bail<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Varsha Madhukar Wagh<\/span> v. State of Gujarat<\/span>, 2019 SCC OnLine Guj 127<\/a>, the Bench of Vipul M. Pancholi, J., allowed the application made for granting an anticipatory bail on the grounds that the applicant was a lady, she was a doctor having two minor children and had cooperated with the investigating officer. The facts of the case are that the applicant was booked for the offenses punishable under Sections 419<\/a>, 420<\/a>, 423<\/a>, 465<\/a>, 467<\/a>, 468<\/a>, 470<\/a>, 471<\/a>, 474<\/a>, 477-A<\/a>, 120-B<\/a> of the Indian Penal Code<\/a> for which this application was filed under Section 438<\/a> of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973<\/a> for grant of anticipatory bail. The counsel for applicant argued that the nature of allegations was such for which custodial interrogation at that stage was not necessary. Additional Public Prosecutor appearing on behalf of the respondent — State opposed grant of anticipatory bail by emphasizing on the gravity of the offence. The Court allowed the application on the ground that the applicant was a lady; she was a doctor having two minor children and had cooperated with the investigating officer thus granting her anticipatory bail.<\/p>\n

Gujarat State Waqf Board directed to consider removing encroachments from ‘Kabrastan’ as per Section 54 of the Waqf Act, 1995<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

In Meman Jamat Palanpur<\/span> v. Gujarat State Waqf Board<\/span>, 2018 SCC OnLine Guj 2242<\/a>, a Single Judge Bench comprising of Vipul M. Pancholi, J. directed the respondents to look into the directions prayed by the petitioner and act accordingly. An application was filed to direct the respondent to remove the encroachment as per the Section 54<\/a> of the Waqf Act, 1995<\/a> and to provide with the Police protection while constructing the compound wall surrounding the land of ‘Kabrastan’ (graveyard) registered with the Gujarat State Waqf Board and hence grievance of the petitioner was about inaction on the part of the respondent authority in not taking any decision on representations made by them. It was admitted that encroachments were made by the people of Scheduled Caste community near the said property. The Court, considering the facts and the circumstances of the case, gave a direction to the respondent authority to take into account the representations submitted by the petitioner and decide accordingly in accordance with the law. Accordingly, the petition was disposed of.<\/p>\n

FIR registration alone is not enough for detention; Detention order under the PASA Act quashed<\/span><\/p>\n

In Asifhusen<\/span> v. State of Gujarat<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Guj 505<\/a>, a special civil application was filed by accused, challenging a detention order passed against him under the Gujarat Prevention of Anti Social Activities Act, 1985, a division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi and Hemant M. Prachchhak, JJ., allowed the petition and quashed the detention order, holding that mere registration of FIRs by itself cannot be a ground for invoking the power of detention under the Act as it does not constitute a breach of public order.<\/p>\n

Gujarat High Court grants temporary bail for an accused to attend his daughter’s Nikaah<\/span><\/p>\n

In Rafik Adam Sumra<\/span> v. State of Gujarat<\/span>12<\/sup><\/a>, a criminal appeal, filed for getting temporary bail for the accused facing charges under the National Investigation Agency Act, 2008<\/a>, to allow the accused to attend his daughter’s Nikaah, a division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Justice Sandeep N. Bhatt, JJ., partly allowed the appeal, granting the accused temporary bail for a period of three days with a police escort whose cost would be borne by the accused.<\/p>\n

Reassessment Notice to Deceased Assessee Void, not a Procedural Defect: Gujarat High Court<\/span><\/p>\n

In Pravinchandra A. Shah<\/span> v. Union of India<\/span>, (2024) 461 ITR 307<\/a>, a writ petition was filed by the legal heirs of a deceased assessee challenging a reassessment notice issued under the Income Tax Act, 1961<\/a>, in the name of the deceased. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Devan M. Desai, JJ. held that the notice was invalid, as it was a jurisdictional defect and not merely a procedural one that could be cured under Section 292B of the Act. The Court stated that Section 292BB, which cures non-service of notice, would not be applicable to a notice issued to a person who is no longer alive, as such a notice is legally void.<\/p>\n

Gujarat High Court dismisses habeas corpus plea for custody of a girlfriend in a live-in relationship<\/span><\/p>\n

In Bhagwan Rajabhai Chaudhari <\/span>v. State of Gujarat<\/span>13<\/sup><\/a>, a habeas corpus petition, filed by the petitioner seeking custody of his alleged girlfriend, who had left her husband and was in a live-in relationship with him, a division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Hemant M. Prachchhak, JJ., dismissed the petition, stating that the petitioner had no legal standing to file the petition based on a live-in relationship agreement. The Court also imposed a penalty of Rs. 5,000 on the petitioner.<\/p>\n

Object of the scheme to be considered while granting or denying benefits under Vera Samadhan Yojna: Gujarat High Court<\/span><\/p>\n

In Sky Industries Ltd.<\/span> v. State of Gujarat<\/span>14<\/sup><\/a>, a special civil application was filed by the petitioner challenging the denial of benefits under ‘Vera Samadhan Yojna, 2019’ (‘Amnesty Scheme’). A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Devan M. Desai, JJ. allowed the petition, setting aside the communication that denied the benefit. The Court ruled that merely because the petitioner inadvertently paid a small amount less than the outstanding principal tax, it should not be denied the benefit of the scheme, whose purpose is to resolve old disputes.<\/p>\n

Patna High Court<\/h2>\n

Onus does not shift to the accused unless the prosecution first establishes a prima facie case: Patna High Court<\/span><\/p>\n

In Santosh Chaudhary<\/span> v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Pat 4905<\/a>, a criminal appeal was filed by accused challenging his conviction by the trial court for offences under Sections 302<\/a>\/34<\/a> of the Penal Code 1860<\/a> and Section 3(2)(v)<\/a> of the Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act<\/a>, a division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Chandra Shekhar Jha, JJ. acquitted the appellant, holding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case as the chain of circumstances was not complete, and the benefit of the doubt had to be given to the accused. The Court stated that the onus does not shift to the accused unless the prosecution first establishes a prima facie case, and the invocation of the ‘last seen’ theory alone is not sufficient.<\/p>\n

‘A child incompetent to testify if unable to understand the questions and lacks coherent answers’: Patna High Court<\/span><\/p>\n

In Munna Sah <\/span>v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Pat 5099<\/a>, a criminal appeal was filed by the accused challenging his conviction by the trial court for offences under Sections 302<\/a> and 376<\/a> read with 511<\/a> of the Penal Code 1860<\/a>. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Chandra Shekhar Jha, JJ. allowed the appeal, setting aside the conviction. The Court held that the testimony of a child witness was not inadmissible per se, and the trial judge, who has the opportunity to observe the demeanor of the witness and put forward questions to determine whether the child witness understood them had failed to do so.<\/p>\n

Patna High Court Clarifies Remission Policy for Premature Release<\/span><\/p>\n

In Munna Singh<\/span> v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2024 SCC OnLine Pat 89<\/a>, a criminal writ jurisdiction case, a prisoner challenged the State Sentence Remission Board’s decision to deny him premature release. The case was referred to a larger bench by a single judge due to conflicting decisions on the applicable remission policy. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Sunil Dutta Mishra, JJ. held that the remission policy that is more beneficial to the convict, either the one in force on the date of conviction or the one on the date of consideration for premature release, should be applied. The Court set aside the Board’s decision and directed them to reconsider the prisoner’s case.<\/p>\n

“Prosecution failed to prove by leading cogent evidence that victim was minor”: Patna High Court<\/span><\/p>\n

In Raushan Kumar<\/span> v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2024 SCC OnLine Pat 7781<\/a>, series of criminal appeals were filed by accused challenging their convictions. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Ramesh Chand Malviya, JJ. acquitted all the accused, finding that the prosecution failed to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The Court noted that there are major contradictions, inconsistencies, and improvement in the depositions of the prosecution witnesses regarding the way the occurrence took place and how the victim has disclosed about the names of the accused who have committed rape. The Court further noted that the prosecution also failed to prove the age of the victim.<\/p>\n

Patna High Court acquits man in POCSO and rape case due to insufficient evidence<\/span><\/p>\n

In Uday Kumar Singh<\/span> v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Pat 2978<\/a>, a criminal appeal was filed by accused challenging his conviction under sections of the Penal Code<\/a>, POCSO Act, and SC\/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. A division bench of Ashutosh Kumar* and Vipul M. Pancholi, JJ., allowed the appeal and set aside the conviction finding inconsistencies in the evidence, which were deemed insufficient to sustain the conviction. The Court observed that discrepant statements made by the victim; the doubts regarding the victim being a minor and she being in constant touch with the appellant make us disbelieve the entire prosecution case.<\/p>\n

Patna High Court Quashes COFEPOSA Detention Order, Upholds Right to Representation<\/span><\/p>\n

In Kunal Kishore<\/span> v. Union of India<\/span>, 2025 SCC OnLine Pat 1374<\/a>, a criminal case was filed by accused challenging his detention order under the Conservation of Foreign Exchange and Prevention of Smuggling Activities Act (COFEPOSA). A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Alok Kumar Pandey, JJ. Dismissed the petition holding that when the detaining authority after satisfying itself subjectively after considering all the relevant material, passed the order of detention, the same cannot be interfered with while exercising power under Article 226<\/a> of the Constitution<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Patna High Court finds reference to larger bench about validity of CCA Rules for Contractual Employees as misconceived<\/span><\/p>\n

In Rahil Ahmed <\/span>v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2025 SCC OnLine Pat 1381<\/a>, a civil petition was filed by petitioner wherein the matter was referred to a larger bench by a Single Judge to determine the applicability of the CCA Rules, 2005 to contractual employees. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Alok Kumar Pandey, JJ. dismissed the petition, finding the reference to the larger bench misconceived and not tenable. The Court clarified that it had not examined the merits of the case and that the petitioner was free to challenge the single-judge’s decision in an appropriate forum.<\/p>\n

Insufficient evidence to uphold murder conviction and chain of events incomplete to prove guilt<\/span><\/p>\n

In Manoj Bhuiyan<\/span> v. State of Bihar<\/span>, 2023 SCC OnLine Pat 4278<\/a>, a criminal appeal was filed by the accused challenging his conviction for an offense under Section 302<\/a> of the Penal Code, 1860<\/a>. A division bench of Vipul M. Pancholi* and Chandra Shekhar Jha, JJ. allowed the appeal, setting aside the conviction and acquitting the appellant. The Court held that the prosecution has failed to prove the complete chain and even the prosecution has also failed to prove by leading cogent evidence that the accused was lastly seen in the company of the deceased. The Court further observed that to establish guilt, ‘the circumstances should be of a conclusive nature and tendency and they should exclude every possible hypothesis except the one to be proved, and there must be a chain of evidence so complete as not to leave any reasonable ground for the conclusion consistent with the innocence of the accused and must show that in all human probability the act must have been done by the accused.’<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

1.<\/a> https:\/\/patnahighcourt.gov.in\/judge\/MzY2-Y0E42Loyhz8%3D<\/a><\/p>\n

2.<\/a> https:\/\/gujarathighcourt.nic.in\/cjjfull?jid=566<\/a><\/p>\n

3.<\/a> https:\/\/patnahighcourt.gov.in\/judge\/MzY2-Y0E42Loyhz8%3D<\/a><\/p>\n

4.<\/a> https:\/\/www.sci.gov.in\/judge\/justice-vipul-manubhai-pancholi\/<\/a><\/p>\n

5.<\/a> https:\/\/gujarathighcourt.nic.in\/cjjfull?jid=566<\/a><\/p>\n

6.<\/a> https:\/\/patnahighcourt.gov.in\/judge\/MzY2-Y0E42Loyhz8%3D<\/a><\/p>\n

7.<\/a> https:\/\/cdnbbsr.s3waas.gov.in\/s35d6646aad9bcc0be55b2c82f69750387\/uploads\/2025\/09\/20250902495860581.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

8.<\/a> The Hindu, Supreme Court returns to full strength with two new judges, https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/justices-alok-aradhe-and-vipul-m-pancholi-sworn-in-as-suprem…<\/a><\/p>\n

9.<\/a> SUO MOTO WRIT PETITION(CRIMINAL) No(s).4\/2026<\/p>\n

10.<\/a> WP(C) No. 1110 of 2025<\/p>\n

11.<\/a> <\/p>\n

12.<\/a> R\/Criminal Appeal No. 1166 of 2022<\/p>\n

13.<\/a> R\/Special Criminal Application No. 2933 of 2023<\/p>\n

14.<\/a> R\/Special Civil Application N. 246 of 2023<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Justice Vipul M. Pancholi’s journey to the Supreme Court of India is a testament to his legal expertise and commitment to the principles of justice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":385408,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38347],"tags":[103057,10111,105497,105265,44310,105498,88166,102380],"class_list":["post-385398","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-judges-information","tag-3-year-law-practice","tag-arbitration-agreement","tag-bar-association-women-representation","tag-bhopal-dowry-death-case","tag-commercial-vehicles","tag-ecc-rates","tag-justice-vipul-m-pancholi","tag-sajjadanashin"],"yoast_head":"\nKnow Your Judge| Supreme Court of India: Justice Vipul M. 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