Major Step Towards High Court Bench in Coastal Karnataka as Three Judge Committee Formed
Committee to examine feasibility of a circuit or permanent bench covering coastal and Malnad districts
Bengaluru: The Karnataka High Court has taken a significant step towards examining the possibility of establishing a circuit or permanent bench in the coastal and Malnad regions of the state.
The Chief Justice has constituted a three member committee of senior judges to study the feasibility and need for a High Court bench in the region. A formal order has also reportedly been issued by the High Court in this regard.
The committee comprises Justice Anu Shivaram, Justice S.G. Pandit and Justice Mohammad Nawaz. It will examine the technical, administrative and public aspects associated with establishing a High Court bench in the coastal and Malnad districts before submitting its report.
The demand for a High Court circuit bench has been raised for several years by residents and members of the legal fraternity in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Hassan districts.
Supporters of the demand have said that a bench in the region could reduce the need for litigants and lawyers to travel to Bengaluru for legal proceedings, particularly in cases requiring repeated appearances.
The development follows the Chief Justice’s recent visit to Mangaluru, where he reportedly met lawyers and public representatives and assured them that the demand for a regional High Court bench would be examined.
The constitution of the three judge committee is being viewed as a formal move towards assessing the long standing demand. The committee’s findings and recommendations will determine the next stage of consideration regarding a possible High Court circuit or permanent bench in the region.