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imprisonment for a term not exceeding one month and fine not exceeding
100 rupees, the 4 class Magistrates had limited power of fine only not
th
exceeding 15 rupees.
1922-23  Administrative Report 1922-23 makes it evident that there was Sikkim Chief
Court having both Civil and Criminal Jurisdiction. The Sikkim Chief Court

comprised of 12 members selected from Head-men of the State, would sit
for 2 months at a time in benches of 4 members. They would try all important
cases and hear appeals against the decisions of the Land Lords Court.
 Kumar W. Polden continued in the office of the Judicial Secretary of His
Highness the Maharaja of Sikkim and during his leave Mr. Penstonji Jamasji
held charge of the Judicial Department.
1923-24  Annual Administrative Report 1923-24 reflects that the Sikkim Chief Court

continued to function as before and in the same manner.
 The Darbar acquired the services of competent legal man in the person of
Mr. Rup Narayan, B.A.B.L.T from Punjab who was appointed as Chief Judge
of the Sikkim Chief Court with effect from 1924 on a pay of Rs. 300/- 20 - 400.
1924-25  Report (Law & Justice) for 1924-25

The old system of a bench of Honorary Judges selected by rotation from
amongst the prominent landlord magnates was finally done away with in
February 1924 and a permanent stipendiary Judge had been appointed.
 Revenue suits are not taken cognizance of as the same are dealt with on
executive side by the Durbar.
 The Chief Court is not the final court of Justice in Sikkim. Its decisions are
appealable to the Supreme Court of his Highness the Maharaja.

 The Landlords Courts are neither Honorary nor fixed stipendiary court. They
are entitled to half of the court fees realized and half of the fines imposed
by them.
1927-28  There were 57 Adda Courts in Sikkim.
 The Adda Courts were invested with specified judicial powers (civil and

criminal).
 Above the Adda Courts was the Chief Court, whose presiding officer was
the designated as the Chief Judge.
 Durbar Courts had no jurisdiction in the trial of criminal cases against British
subjects residing in Sikkim.
1928-29  Political Officers who held the 1 jurisdiction could waive his right of trial in
st
favour of Durbar.

 In civil litigation the Plaintiff, if a British subject had choice of forum, he could
take his case to the Political Officer’s Court of Durbar Court.

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