Mangaluru: Officials to prepare checklist for High Court Bench feasibility assessment

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 12, 2026: District in-charge Minister U T Khader said a committee of officials headed by the Deputy Commissioner (DC) will be constituted to prepare a checklist of infrastructure and other facilities required for the three-member committee assessing the feasibility of establishing a High Court circuit or permanent bench in Mangaluru.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on the establishment of a High Court Bench in Coastal Karnataka on Sunday, Khader said efforts would be made to build a consensus among neighbouring districts, including Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga, after the Dasara festival. A meeting with elected representatives and district in-charge ministers would be convened to discuss the proposal and seek their support.

Khader said establishing a High Court Bench would contribute to the overall development of Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. He said Mangaluru was well suited to host the bench, given its airport, railway connectivity and transport infrastructure. These advantages would be highlighted while seeking the support of neighbouring districts.

Appreciating the contribution of the legal fraternity, Khader said law colleges in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi had produced thousands of advocates in the coastal region. The dedication and collective efforts of advocates had been instrumental in keeping the demand for a High Court Bench alive, he added.

Senior advocate M P Noronha urged stakeholders to submit a representation, supported by an affidavit, to the three-member committee, detailing the difficulties faced by litigants whose cases are pending before the High Court in Bengaluru. He said the representation should document the challenges of travelling to Bengaluru and the expenses involved, backed by facts and figures.

Mangalore Bar Association president Jagadish Shenava said it would take nearly 10 years to dispose of the existing cases from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru pending before the High Court. If at least 2,000 new cases were added annually, the backlog would continue to grow, he said.

“A High Court Bench here could help a judge dispose of up to 1,200 cases annually,” Shenava said, questioning why the coastal region could not have a similar facility when High Court Benches were functioning in Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

MLC Ivan D’Souza said cases relating to the Land Reforms Act, KIADB land acquisition and Moolgeni rights had remained pending before the High Court for several years, leaving litigants waiting for justice. He said around 40% of cases from Dakshina Kannada and neighbouring districts were pending before the High Court.

Mangalore University Vice-Chancellor Prof. P L Dharma said a circular would be issued to all affiliated colleges explaining the need for a High Court Bench in Mangaluru. Students would also be encouraged to launch a postcard campaign to draw attention to the demand.

MLAs Rajesh Naik and Vedavyasa Kamath said the demand was not limited to advocates but concerned people across the region. They urged all stakeholders to work together to ensure that the three-member committee submitted a favourable report.

Kamath said the state government would also need to issue an official order with the approval of the Finance Department to take the proposal forward. He added that the state government should submit a report to the Centre outlining the need for a High Court Bench in Coastal Karnataka.