Bantwal: In a significant development for the legal fraternity of Dakshina Kannada, Richard Costa M, president of the Bantwal Advocates’ Association, has been unanimously elected as the president of the newly formed Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association.

The election was held during a consultative meeting convened at Hotel Krishnima in B C Road, Mangaluru, under the chairmanship of H V Raghavendra, president of the Mangaluru Advocates’ Association.

Formation of district body

The consultative meeting brought together office-bearers of advocates’ associations from all six taluks of Dakshina Kannada. After extensive discussions on the objectives and framework of the proposed district-level association, the members reached a consensus to constitute the Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association.

The body has been formed to address the collective needs, rights, and challenges of advocates across the district, providing a unified platform for legal professionals.

Office-bearers elected unanimously

Alongside Richard Costa’s election as president, several other prominent lawyers were unanimously chosen for leadership positions. The new team includes:

  • Vice Presidents: H V Raghavendra (Mangaluru), Sukumar (Sullia), Vasanth Marakada (Belthangady), Jagannath Rai G (Puttur), and Harish P U (Moodbidri)

  • General Secretary: Jayaprakash Bhandary (Moodbidri)

  • Joint Secretary: Naveen B K (Belthangady)

  • Treasurer: Jesintha Crasta (Bantwal)

    • Additionally, all taluk bar association office-bearers have been included in the executive committee to ensure broad representation.

    Key objectives

    The primary mission of the newly established district bar association is to function as a collective voice for lawyers across Dakshina Kannada. The association aims to strengthen unity among advocates, facilitate professional development, and serve as a platform to address issues concerning the legal community.

    Another important goal outlined during the meeting is to extend support to the ongoing movement for establishing a permanent circuit bench of the Karnataka High Court in Mangaluru. Legal practitioners in the region have long argued that such a bench would ease the burden of travel to Bengaluru for litigants and advocates while improving access to justice in coastal Karnataka.

    Significance of the move

    The creation of the Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association marks a milestone in the district’s legal history. Until now, bar associations operated independently at the taluk level, often addressing issues locally. With the establishment of this district-level body, advocates hope to enhance coordination, strengthen professional solidarity, and represent their interests more effectively at the state and national level.

    Conclusion

    With Richard Costa at the helm, the new Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of legal practice in the coastal district. Its formation has been widely welcomed as a step towards unified legal advocacy and stronger representation for lawyers across the region.