Chief Justice Assures Committee to Inspect Infrastructure for High Court Circuit Bench in Mangaluru

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Mangaluru : In a significant development for the legal fraternity of coastal Karnataka, the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka, Honorable Mr. Justice Vibhu Bakhru, has assured the formation of a committee to look into the establishment of a High Court Circuit Bench in Mangaluru. This follows a long-standing demand for judicial decentralization in the region. During a meeting with a high-level delegation, the Chief Justice stated that the committee would inspect existing facilities and identify requirements for additional infrastructure. He further assured that either he or the Administrative Judge for Dakshina Kannada would personally visit the district on a priority basis to conduct an inspection.

The movement for the circuit bench gained renewed momentum following recent statements by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who advocated for the decentralization of justice to reduce the backlog of cases. Inspired by this, the High Court Permanent Bench Horata Samithi, led by Convenor Ivan D’Souza (MLC) and PRO M.P. Noronha, has been actively mobilizing support. The delegation—which included Mangaluru Bar Association President H.V. Raghavendra Rao and Bantwal Bar Association President Richard D’Costa—met with several key figures, including the Governor of Andhra Pradesh and retired Supreme Court Justice Abdul Nazeer, who provided a strategic roadmap and pledged his full cooperation for the initiative.

The delegation also secured the support of Karnataka Legislative Assembly Speaker U.T. Khader, who formally requested the Chief Justice to take steps toward establishing the bench. Following their meeting with the Chief Justice, the members consulted with Administrative Judge Hon’ble Mr. Justice H.T. Narendra Prasad and Hon’ble Justice Rajesh Rai K., both of whom responded positively to the proposal. The proposal initially suggests a circuit bench comprising one Division Bench and two Single Benches. This proactive step by the judiciary and the state government has been widely welcomed by advocates, various social organizations, and the general public across the coastal region.