Demand for High Court bench in Mangaluru gains momentum; site inspection soon

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 2, 2026: The long-pending demand for establishing a High Court circuit bench and a permanent bench in Mangaluru—covering Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Chikkamagaluru, and Kodagu districts—has gained fresh momentum, with the Chief Justice agreeing to conduct a site inspection in the near future.

Speaking at a press conference held at the Mangaluru City Corporation office on Saturday, MLC Ivan D’Souza said the Chief Justice will inspect the old Deputy Commissioner’s office building at State Bank to evaluate the availability of basic infrastructure required for setting up the circuit bench.

He noted that the proposed High Court bench would require facilities such as court halls and adequate space for storing official records. In this regard, the district in-charge minister has written to the government seeking allocation of the four-storey old DC office building, which is spread across 5.5 acres.

Ivan D’Souza further said that additional land would be available once the undertrial prisoners’ jail currently operating in Mangaluru is relocated to Mudipu. However, as that process may take another two to three years, the old DC office building is being considered as an immediate solution.

He added that the final decision will be taken following the Chief Justice’s inspection visit.

Highlighting the efforts behind the progress, he said it was the result of sustained initiatives by advocates’ associations, law students, workers, public representatives, and the general public. Awareness campaigns, including postcard and email drives, were also carried out to draw the attention of High Court judges to the need for a circuit bench in Mangaluru.

Expressing optimism, he said that, like Hubballi-Dharwad and Kalaburagi, Mangaluru too is expected to soon have a High Court circuit bench.

Dakshina Kannada District Bar Association president Raghavendra Rao, secretary Sridhar, government pleader M.P. Noronha, Bhaskar, and others were present.