Samiti urges Karnataka Chief Justice to sanction HC Bench in Mangaluru

A delegation of advocates from the coastal region led by MLC Ivan D’Souza on Saturday urged Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Vibhu Bhakru to sanction a Bench of the High Court in Mangaluru.

Meeting Justice Bhakru at Udupi where he was on a day’s visit, Mr. D’Souza, who is the convener of High Court Peetha Horata Samiti, Mangaluru, impressed upon him the urgent need for sanctioning a Bench in coastal Karnataka.

The delegation said that litigants from the coastal region find it difficult to travel to Bengaluru to argue their cases before the High Court. The situation worsens during the monsoon when road and rail connectivity often get snapped between the coast and Bengaluru, it said. The delegation also highlighted abnormal delays in the disposal of cases from Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, Dakshina Kannada, and Kodagu districts at the High Court as another reason to substantiate the demand.

Mr. D’Souza told the Chief Justice that Chief Minister Siddaramaiah too during his recent visit to Mangaluru had expressed willingness to establish a High Court Bench in Mangaluru. Together, the judiciary and the executive could establish a Bench, he said.

To start with, the High Court may sanction a circuit Bench, followed by a permanent Bench, he said.

A statement here said Mr. Khabru was positive to the demand and said he would take a call on the demand shortly.

Mangaluru Bar Association president H.V. Raghavendra, Principal District Government Pleader M.P. Noronha, representatives of bar associations from Udupi district and others were present.