Coastal Karnataka High Court bench demand gains fresh momentum

Udupi, August 23, 2026: The demand for a Karnataka High Court Circuit Bench in Coastal Karnataka, serving Udupi, Dakshina Kannada and Uttara Kannada districts, has gained fresh momentum following a meeting held at Ravindra Mantapa, MGM College, Udupi, on August 22.

The meeting was jointly organised by U-Act and the Coastal High Court Bench Agitation Committee. Advocates, representatives of various organisations and members of the public attended the meeting and extended their support to the demand.

Bench would reduce burden on litigants

Former minister Jayaprakash Hegde said Coastal Karnataka urgently needs both a High Court bench and a medical college.

He said establishing a bench in the region would significantly reduce the financial burden on litigants who currently have to travel to Bengaluru for High Court proceedings.

“Advocates here may not charge more, but once a client has to travel to Bengaluru, the expenses increase considerably,” he said, adding that courts should be located closer to people to facilitate speedy justice.

Psychiatrist Dr PV Bhandary said litigation can cause considerable psychological and financial stress. A High Court bench in Coastal Karnataka, he said, would help reduce the financial burden on people seeking justice and serve the public interest.

Advocates urged to join movement

Shamala Bhandary, member of the Bar Council of Karnataka, said there could naturally be both support and opposition to such a demand. However, she urged elected representatives, advocates and members of the public to join hands to take the movement forward.

Senior advocate Mattar Rathnakar Hegde said the demand was shared across Coastal Karnataka. While technology has enabled online court proceedings, he said the large number of cases originating from the coastal districts makes a High Court bench necessary.

Meetings planned across taluks

Prem Prasad Shetty, founder of U-Act and convener of the Coastal High Court Bench Agitation Committee, said efforts would be made to take the demand to every section of society.

He called for meetings to be held in every taluk over the next 15 days and urged presidents and members of taluk bar associations to take the initiative and spread awareness through social media.

Representatives of various organisations attended the meeting and expressed their views in support of establishing a High Court bench in Coastal Karnataka.