Karnataka High Court to Gain Over 1.2 Lakh Sqft of Office Space at Cauvery Bhavan

In a significant development for the Karnataka judiciary, the High Court of Karnataka is set to acquire 1,21,210 square feet of office space in the Cauvery Bhavan on KG Road, Bengaluru. The announcement was made by Chief Justice N V Anjaria during his Independence Day address on Thursday.

Expansion into Cauvery Bhavan

Chief Justice Anjaria expressed his satisfaction with the acquisition, noting that the new space would encompass A, B, and C blocks of Cauvery Bhavan. These blocks already contain fully constructed facilities, including offices, board rooms, conference rooms, an auditorium, and a guest house. The space is currently utilised by the Karnataka Power Transmission Corporation Limited (KPTCL).

“I am most satisfied to announce that the high court would be getting the possession of 1,21,210 sqft of space in Cauvery Bhavan consisting of A, B and C blocks, which has the ready constructed building with existing useable facilities of offices, board rooms, conference rooms, auditorium, and the guest house,” Justice Anjaria stated.

The Chief Justice further revealed that after a meeting of the full court, the proposal by KPTCL to allocate the said space to the High Court was accepted. The allotment has since been confirmed by state authorities, with the formal takeover set to proceed once the structural report is available.

Technological Advancements and Case Management

Justice Anjaria also highlighted the judiciary’s efforts to integrate technology into its functioning. He emphasised that the High Court is embracing the digital era to improve efficiency and accessibility.

“At the crossroads of the internet revolution, the judiciary cannot remain aloof,” he remarked. The Chief Justice pointed out that the Online Digital Case Diary, a platform provided by the High Court, allows advocates, litigants, and government departments to track their cases across the state through a digital dashboard, thereby reducing reliance on paper-based systems.

Looking ahead, the High Court is also planning to introduce e-filing, digitisation of court records, and other technology-driven initiatives.

Reducing Case Pendency

In his address, Justice Anjaria underscored the High Court’s commitment to reducing the backlog of cases at both the principal bench in Bengaluru and the regional benches in Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

“The performance of the High Court at Lok Adalat is satisfactory. In the last Lok Adalat held on July 13, 2024, a total of 44,64,209 cases were taken up, including pre-litigation cases, out of which 40,02,785 were amicably settled,” he noted.

Conclusion

The acquisition of additional office space at Cauvery Bhavan marks a significant milestone for the Karnataka High Court as it continues to expand its infrastructure and embrace technological advancements. These efforts are expected to enhance the efficiency of the judiciary and improve access to justice for the people of Karnataka.