Bengaluru Advocates Association Writes To Karnataka High Court CJ Opposing State's Proposal To Establish Circuit Bench At Manguluru
The Advocates' Association Bengaluru (AAB) has written to Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru opposing a State Government proposal to establish a high court bench at Mangaluru for Coastal Districts, stating that the proposal without conducting stakeholder consultation or an empirical study is "wholly unwarranted and premature"."It is widely reported in the media that the...
The Advocates' Association Bengaluru (AAB) has written to Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru opposing a State Government proposal to establish a high court bench at Mangaluru for Coastal Districts, stating that the proposal without conducting stakeholder consultation or an empirical study is "wholly unwarranted and premature".
"It is widely reported in the media that the State Government is contemplating a proposal to allot land for establishment of a Bench of the High Court of Karnataka at Mangaluru to cater to the coastal districts. At the outset, it is submitted that any such proposal, initiated without proper consultation with all stakeholders and without conducting any empirical or statistical study regarding the actual necessity of such a Bench, is wholly unwarranted and premature," the letter dated May 18 states.
The AAB has further said that Bar Associations across Karnataka have expressed serious reservations and objections to any move aimed at further splitting or subdividing the principal seat and existing Benches of the High Court.
The Karnataka High Court operates its benches in three cities: Bengaluru (Principal Bench), Dharwad and Kalaburagi.
The AAB has said that the proposal to establish another circuit bench appears to be more motivated to "appease certain regional sentiments", rather than being based on any "genuine judicial or administrative necessity".
The bar body has said no comprehensive study has been undertaken to assess the pendency of cases, accessibility concerns, judicial infrastructure requirements, or the broader administrative implications of such a decision.
The bar body believes that proliferation of multiple small Benches would gradually dilute the stature, unity, and constitutional significance of the High Court as an institution.
Such fragmentation, the AAB has said, would adversely affect the uniformity and consistency in judicial administration across the State.
The bar body has thus asked the Chief Justice to "reject any proposal" forwarded by the State Government on this issue.
"We further request that no decision be taken without first consulting all affected stakeholders, including the Bar Associations of Bangalore, Madikeri, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Shivamogga, Karwar, and other districts likely to be impacted by such a move," the body has said.
CM's letter
Meanwhile in a letter dated May 13, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has also written to the Chief Justice Bakhru, submitting a proposal to establish the high court's circuit bench at Manguluru.
The letter states that that the establishment of a Circuit Bench in Mangaluru would mark a transformative step in decentralizing judicial access and reinforcing the constitutional promise of timely and affordable justice. It would significantly reduce pendency pressures on the principal bench while ensuring that justice is delivered closer to the people it serves.
"Establishing a Circuit Bench in Mangaluru will empower lakhs of citizens across coastal Karnataka, strengthen faith in institutions, and reflect our collective commitment to ensuring that justice is not distant, but accessible and immediate," the letter stated. The letter states that the demand for a bench in the region has been 'longstanding and widely supported' by members of the Bar, civil society, and the public at large. It described the proposal as a means towards realising a more responsive judicial system.
The letter further states that the infrastructure would include a premises of approximately 50,000 sq. ft. in the old Deputy Commissioner's office in Mangaluru which can be promptly repurposed for court operations.
Further, residential accommodations for judges have already been identified and can be made functional without delay. Necessary civic, administrative, and logistical infrastructure is in place to ensure the seamless functioning of the bench from its inception, the letter adds.