Committee visit to assess circuit bench proposal
A committee constituted by Karnataka High Court Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru is likely to visit Mangaluru in the first week of October to examine the demand for setting up a High Court bench here, MLC Ivan D’Souza said on Sunday. The committee’s visit follows representations from political leaders and a renewed push by local representatives for a decentralised judicial presence in coastal Karnataka.
D’Souza, who is leading the campaign for the bench, said former Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had written to the Karnataka Chief Justice underlining the need for a bench in Mangaluru. He added that all elected representatives from the region have expressed support for a bench that would cover Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts.
- Committee visit expected: First week of October
- Districts proposed to be covered: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu
- Political backing: Support from present Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar and former CM Siddaramaiah
“We are confident about the Karnataka Chief Justice favouring setting up a circuit bench (to start with),” the MLC said.
D’Souza said Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has reiterated support for the demand and indicated that land or a building will be allocated for the bench. He expressed optimism that the High Court will consider a circuit bench initially as a practical step to address the caseload from these districts.
Local implications and administrative steps
Establishment of a circuit bench in Mangaluru would mean that litigants from coastal and nearby hilly districts may no longer be required to travel to Bengaluru for hearings, reducing travel time and expenses and speeding up disposal of cases originating in the region. D’Souza said there are sufficient cases from the area to sustain a bench’s workload.
In parallel developments, D’Souza lauded the State Cabinet’s decision to accord additional official language status to Tulu, saying a government notification on the matter would be issued shortly. He said recruitment of translators for translating official communications into Tulu will start soon.
The MLC also called on local Members of Parliament, including Capt. Brijesh Chowta, and other Karnataka BJP MPs to press the Union government to consider the inclusion of Tulu in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
Development funding and district renaming
Speaking on broader regional development, D’Souza said the State Cabinet has approved a grant of ₹32,000 crore for various works in coastal Karnataka. He specified allocations for Mangaluru-area projects, including:
| Purpose | Allocation |
|---|---|
| Repair of roads | ₹400 crore |
| Ongoing water works under the Jalasiri scheme in Mangaluru | ₹160 crore |
He said the district administration will shortly invite public opinion on a proposal to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, reflecting a wider civic push to align administrative nomenclature with the city’s identity.
Next steps and expectations
If the committee’s visit proceeds as scheduled, it will be the latest formal assessment of long-standing demands for decentralised judicial infrastructure in coastal Karnataka. The MLC voiced confidence that the Chief Justice would favour a circuit bench to begin with, which signals a pragmatic approach that could see hearings held in Mangaluru on a periodic basis before any permanent bench is established.
Officials and legal observers will be watching for the committee’s report and any subsequent orders from the High Court. The State’s commitment to provide land or a building, together with the Cabinet’s development allocations and language-related measures, suggests coordinated political support for bolstering Mangaluru’s administrative and cultural profile.
