Mangaluru: In a significant move towards advancing judicial infrastructure in coastal Karnataka, Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Sri Ivan D’Souza met Karnataka Law Minister Sri H.K. Patil in Bengaluru to press for the establishment of a High Court circuit bench in Mangaluru.

During the meeting, Ivan D’Souza formally submitted a proposal requesting that the old District Magistrate’s (DC) office building be earmarked for this purpose. He emphasized that utilizing the existing structure would accelerate the process of setting up the bench, while also minimizing the need for new construction.

He noted that a High Court circuit bench in Mangaluru would serve as a major relief to the people of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and surrounding districts, who currently have to travel long distances to Bengaluru for legal proceedings. It would also significantly reduce case backlogs and improve access to justice in the region.

D’Souza underlined that the historical DC office building, with its central location and solid structure, is an ideal site to house the bench. He expressed hope that the state government would take a favourable decision soon in the interest of legal convenience and administrative efficiency for the people of the coastal belt.

The request aligns with long-standing demands from local advocates and the general public who have been calling for a judicial setup closer to home.

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