Bengaluru: A significant step has been taken towards the long-pending demand for establishing a Karnataka High Court circuit bench in coastal Karnataka, with Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru assuring a delegation that a committee would be constituted to examine the proposal and facilitate further necessary action.
The development was disclosed by MLC and convenor of the High Court Coastal Circuit Bench Struggle Committee, Ivan D’Souza, following a meeting between a committee delegation and the chief justice at his office in Bengaluru.
Committee to examine proposal
According to D’Souza, the delegation placed before the chief justice the various concerns surrounding the demand for a High Court circuit bench in the coastal region.
The discussions covered the views emerging from different coastal districts, consultations held between districts and the practical challenges involved in pursuing the demand for a circuit bench.
The delegation requested the constitution of a committee to comprehensively examine the factual position, consider the views of the concerned districts and study other relevant issues before further action is taken.
During the meeting, Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru reportedly said he was aware of the need for a High Court bench in the coastal region. He assured the delegation that the request to constitute a committee would be considered.
The proposed committee is expected to examine various aspects related to the demand and help facilitate the next steps in the process.
State ready to provide infrastructure
D’Souza said the Karnataka government has already responded positively to the proposal and is prepared to provide the necessary infrastructure for the establishment of a circuit bench.
The availability of suitable infrastructure and other facilities is expected to be an important aspect of the proposal as discussions move forward.
The demand for a circuit bench has gained renewed momentum in recent months, with legal professionals, public representatives and organisations from the coastal districts highlighting the difficulties faced by litigants who have to travel long distances to access the High Court.
A circuit bench in the region, supporters argue, would improve access to justice and reduce the burden of travel for citizens and advocates from coastal Karnataka.
Delegation highlights need for easier access to justice
The delegation explained in detail the need for a circuit bench to ensure quicker and easier access to justice for citizens of coastal Karnataka.
Principal District Government Pleader and committee PRO M P Noronha drew the chief justice’s attention to the need for bringing judicial services closer to citizens.
The delegation also referred to a recent Supreme Court judgment that emphasised the importance of ensuring that access to justice is brought closer to the doorsteps of the people.
Supporters of the proposal believe that the establishment of a circuit bench would particularly benefit litigants from the coastal districts by reducing the time, travel and expenses involved in approaching the High Court.
The delegation included Mangaluru Bar Association president Jagadish Shenava, Udupi Bar Association president Ronald Praveen, former Mangaluru Bar Association president Raghavendra Rao and M P Noronha, among others.
Widespread support for bench in Mangaluru
The demand for establishing a High Court circuit bench in Mangaluru has received widespread support from bar associations across coastal Karnataka, members of the public, social organisations, activists and leaders from different political parties.
The campaign for the bench has been gathering support across the coastal region, with advocates and public representatives repeatedly stressing the need for improved access to higher judicial institutions.
D’Souza said the state government has been giving priority to several development projects in Mangaluru and the coastal region. In this context, the demand for a High Court circuit bench is also expected to receive attention when the state cabinet meets in Mangaluru.
He said the issue could be discussed along with matters concerning the broader development of the coastal region.
The state government’s willingness to provide the required infrastructure has further strengthened the expectations of those supporting the proposal.
Chief justice’s proposed September visit raises hopes
D’Souza said the chief justice’s indication that he would visit the region again in September and hold further discussions on the proposal was a positive and encouraging development.
The proposed discussions could provide an opportunity for stakeholders from different coastal districts to present their views and concerns before the process moves ahead.
For supporters of the circuit bench, the assurance regarding the constitution of a committee represents an important step in a demand that has been pursued for many years.
While the final decision and the subsequent legal and administrative procedures remain to be completed, the latest meeting has generated fresh optimism among advocates and residents of coastal Karnataka.
The proposed committee is expected to play a key role in examining the feasibility of the circuit bench, considering the views of different districts and assessing the factual and administrative aspects of the proposal.
The developments have therefore renewed hopes that the long-standing demand for a Karnataka High Court circuit bench in coastal Karnataka, particularly in Mangaluru, could move towards a more concrete stage in the coming months.