Mangaluru : The iconic 145-year-old court building in Mangaluru, which has stood as a witness to judicial proceedings since the 19th century, is set to be demolished soon to make way for a modern court facility. Constructed in 1881, the heritage structure housed the District and Sessions Court until a new complex opened in 2014. Renowned for its classic architectural heritage, including traditional courtrooms, a historic judicial bench with Latin inscriptions, distinctive high ceilings, and antique ceiling fans, the court witnessed several landmark cases over the decades, including the trial of notorious serial killer Rippon Chandran. Although senior advocates had long advocated for preserving it as a heritage site, a portion of the building currently serves as a court record room and event hall.
Due to acute space constraints, the demolition of the old structure has become unavoidable to construct the proposed five-story ‘A-Block’ court building at an estimated cost of ₹60.02 crore. The Public Works Department (PWD) confirmed that the work order for the project has already been issued, with construction expected to be completed within the next two years.
To preserve its rich legacy, members of the legal community have requested that key historical elements be salvaged during the process. Led by Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association President Jagadish Shenava and former President H.V. Raghavendra, advocates have suggested carefully dismantling the antique structures, artistic features, and historical inscriptions to reassemble and integrate them into the 5th floor of the upcoming new complex.
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