Patna Court Extends Khan Sir's Protection from Arrest Till June 30

June 30, 2026 4 min read

A Patna court on Monday extended its interim protection against arrest for educator Khan Sir, keeping intact the stay on any police action related to the fatal coaching centre firing incident that killed several students earlier this year. The bench granted the extension until June 30, allowing Khan Sir time to prepare his formal response to the allegations levelled against him in connection with the tragedy that shook the education hub of Bihar's capital.

Court Grants Khan Sir Relief Until Month-End

The single-judge bench at Patna's additional sessions court heard arguments from both sides before announcing its decision to continue the interim protection order. Khan Sir's legal team had argued that their client had cooperated with investigators since the beginning and that there was no attempt to evade questioning or tamper with evidence. The prosecution, however, maintained that the investigation was ongoing and that charges could be filed once the probe concludes.

Monday's order marks the second time the court has extended the protective cover for Khan Sir since the incident came to light. The original protection was granted in April, shortly after Khan Sir was named in the first information report registered by the Patna Police. The extension means Khan Sir cannot be arrested or detained until the court hears the matter again on July 1.

What Happened at the Coaching Centre

The case stems from a fire that broke out at a prominent coaching centre operating in the Kankarbagh area of Patna in late March. The blaze spread rapidly through the narrow corridors of the three-storey building, trapping dozens of students who had come to attend weekend study sessions. Emergency services rescued at least 40 people, but seven students died from smoke inhalation and burns before they could reach hospital.

Investigators later alleged that the coaching centre lacked adequate fire exits and that flammable materials stored near the staircases had contributed to the rapid spread of the fire. The owner and several staff members were initially taken into custody. Khan Sir, who runs a separate coaching institute nearby, was later questioned by police and named as a potential accused after survivors claimed he had shared the same building premises.

Police Investigation Findings

The Patna Police filed a chargesheet in May, naming six individuals including the owner of the coaching centre building and two staff members. Investigators said preliminary evidence pointed to electrical fault as the cause of ignition, but also cited violations of safety norms. Khan Sir was not named in the chargesheet, though police have indicated they may seek his prosecution once the full investigation concludes.

District authorities subsequently ordered safety audits of all coaching centres operating within Patna's municipal limits. The audits identified violations at nearly 30 establishments, leading to the temporary closure of several institutes pending compliance with fire safety requirements.

Legal Arguments and Next Steps

Outside the courtroom, Khan Sir's lawyer told reporters that his client was a private educator with no direct role in operating the coaching centre where the fire broke out. The lawyer said Khan Sir had merely rented space in the same building complex for his own classes and had no responsibility for the infrastructure or safety systems of the neighbouring institute.

The prosecution, meanwhile, has reserved its right to challenge the court's protection order before a higher bench if necessary. Senior officials at the Patna Police headquarters said the investigation team was still compiling witness statements and that more accused could be added before the final report is submitted to the court.

Impact on Patna's Coaching Industry

The incident has forced a reckoning across Patna's education sector, where thousands of students from rural Bihar travel each year to prepare for competitive examinations. Coaching centres in the city cater to aspirants for civil services, engineering, and medical entrance tests, generating annual revenue estimated in the hundreds of crores.

Parents of students who attended the affected institute described their anger and grief during interviews with local media. Several families said they had struggled to pay the fees charged by private coaching institutes and felt betrayed by the lack of safety oversight. The tragedy also reignited calls for stricter regulation of the largely unregulated coaching sector in Bihar.

What Happens Next

The Patna court will resume hearing the case on July 1, when Khan Sir is expected to file his formal response to the charges. The prosecution will have an opportunity to present additional evidence, and the judge may decide whether to continue, modify, or lift the interim protection depending on the strength of the arguments.

For students and parents in Patna, the case represents a test of whether authorities will hold negligent operators accountable while also ensuring that innocent educators are not unfairly targeted. The court's next ruling will be closely watched by the city's coaching industry, which has seen enrolment drop sharply since the incident.