Mangaluru
The long-pending demand for a High Court circuit bench in Mangaluru has gained fresh momentum after the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court agreed to conduct a site inspection of the proposed location.
The development is being seen as a positive step for improving access to justice in coastal Karnataka, especially for litigants from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and neighbouring districts who currently travel to Bengaluru for court hearings. Legal professionals, bar associations, and public representatives have repeatedly argued that a circuit bench would significantly reduce case backlog and ease the burden on the principal bench. According to reports, the inspection will focus on evaluating available infrastructure, including court halls, administrative offices, and residential facilities for judges and staff.
The feasibility study is expected to play a crucial role in determining whether the circuit bench can be established in Mangaluru. Stakeholders in the region have welcomed the move, stating that it reflects long-standing public sentiment and the need for decentralised judicial services. If approved, the circuit bench is expected to speed up case disposal and reduce travel time and expenses for thousands of litigants.
Further procedural steps, including committee review and final approval, are likely to follow after the inspection is completed. The proposal continues to be closely watched by legal circles and civil society groups across coastal Karnataka. Officials said that any final decision will depend on administrative clearances, infrastructure readiness, and judicial workload assessments, and the process is expected to continue in the coming months as consultations progress with stakeholders at various levels across the region.