Mangaluru: Postcard campaign launched demanding High Court Bench in the City

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Oct 24, 2025: A postcard campaign urging the establishment of a High Court bench in Mangaluru was launched on Thursday at the office of the Mangaluru Advocates Association in the District and Sessions Court premises. The demand for a bench in Mangaluru has been long-standing.

Former MP Nalin Kumar Kateel, inaugurating the campaign, said that the establishment of a High Court bench in Mangaluru has been a demand for many years, and sustained efforts are needed to make it a reality. He noted that a large number of cases from the city are currently heard in Bengaluru, causing inconvenience and additional expenses for citizens. A local bench would allow residents of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttara Kannada, Kodagu, and Chikkamagaluru districts to access justice more easily, similar to the benches in Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

Former Legislative Council member M. Monappa Bhandari said a committee has been formed to ensure the campaign is conducted successfully, involving lawyers, court staff, elected representatives, and the public.

6,000 cases pending for High Court hearing: Speaking on the occasion, Raghavendra H.V., President of the Mangaluru Advocates Association, said approximately 6,000 cases from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Shivamogga districts are pending in the High Court. Establishing a bench in Mangaluru would benefit citizens across the region.

As part of the campaign, 5,000 postcards from Dakshina Kannada are being sent to the Governor, Chief Minister, and Law Minister, urging the government to take action. Raghavendra added that the campaign will also continue through social media outreach.

The event was attended by Legislative Council member Ivan D’Souza, former Rajya Sabha member B. Ebrahim, former Mayor Sudheer Shetty Kannuru, and several advocates.

Bantwal: Postcard campaign supports High Court Bench demand

A simultaneous postcard campaign was held in Bantwal on Thursday at the court premises, organized jointly by the Bantwal Advocates Association and local residents, advocating the establishment of a High Court bench in Mangaluru.

Former Bantwal Advocates Association president P. Jayaram Rai launched the campaign. Speaking at the event, Richard Costa M., President of Dakshina Kannada District Advocates Association, highlighted that the movement for a Mangaluru bench began over two decades ago under former Mangaluru Advocates Association president S. P. Changappa. Under the current leadership of H.V. Raghavendra, the campaign has gained momentum, and the postcard drive is being conducted simultaneously across Udupi and Mangaluru districts with the support of all local advocates associations.

Senior and junior lawyers, as well as members of the public, actively participated in the campaign, reinforcing the demand for a High Court bench in Mangaluru.