Fire engulfs Bihar magistrate's office, destroys records and halts hearings
A blaze erupted in the Judicial Magistrate First Class office in Patna, Bihar, scorching numerous case files and forcing the day's court sessions to be delayed.
At approximately 9:50 a.m. on Saturday, a fire ignited in the Judicial Magistrate First Class office located within Patna's Court Complex, suspected to have been caused by a short circuit in the building's electrical system. The blaze quickly filled the office with thick smoke, destroying a substantial number of case files, legal records, and older documents. Because the magistrate's office was empty at the time, no judicial officers or court employees were harmed.
Two fire tenders responded and, after sustained effort, managed to bring the fire under control, though the flames burned for several hours. Court authorities have launched an inventory of the destroyed paperwork, commenced a technical inspection of the wiring, and are interviewing individuals who were in the vicinity when the fire started. As a result of the incident, all court hearings slated for Saturday have been postponed.
Why it matters
The fire destroyed vital legal records and disrupted court proceedings, affecting ongoing cases in Bihar.
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