The demand reflects a long-standing concern among legal practitioners and residents over accessibility to judicial services.

The Samithi members emphasised that the absence of a High Court bench in coastal Karnataka forces litigants, lawyers and stakeholders to travel long distances, primarily to Bengaluru, to attend hearings. This, they argued, results in financial strain, delays in legal proceedings and reduced access to justice for people in districts such as Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada.

As an interim measure, the delegation proposed the setting up of a circuit bench in Mangaluru until a permanent bench is established. According to the memorandum, the circuit bench could initially function with one division bench and two single benches to handle various categories of cases.

The Samithi pointed out that Mangaluru, being a major administrative and economic hub in coastal Karnataka, is well-suited to host such a facility. They noted that the city already has basic infrastructure, connectivity and institutional support that could be leveraged for the functioning of a High Court bench.

The proposal aims to decentralise the judicial system and bring justice delivery closer to people in the region. Legal experts have often highlighted that regional benches can significantly reduce case pendency and improve efficiency by distributing the workload more evenly.

During the meeting, Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru reportedly engaged in a detailed discussion with the delegation regarding the feasibility and requirements of setting up a bench. He assured the members that the matter would be examined carefully.

Justice Bakhru stated that a report would be sought on the availability of existing infrastructure in Mangaluru and the additional requirements, if any, needed to establish a circuit bench. This assessment would include court buildings, staff availability, accommodation and other logistical aspects.

To facilitate this process, the Chief Justice indicated that a committee would be formed to inspect the infrastructure and evaluate the viability of the proposal. The formation of such a committee is seen as a significant step towards addressing the demand, although no timeline has been specified yet.

The demand for a High Court bench in coastal Karnataka is not new. Various organisations, including bar associations and civic groups, have repeatedly raised the issue over the years. They argue that decentralisation of judicial institutions is essential for equitable access to justice, especially in geographically distant regions.

Similar demands have also been raised in other parts of the country, with political leaders and legal bodies advocating for benches of the Supreme Court and High Courts in underserved regions. Recently, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah also highlighted the need for establishing a Supreme Court bench in South India to address regional disparities.

In coastal Karnataka, stakeholders believe that a permanent High Court bench would not only benefit litigants but also contribute to the overall development of the region by strengthening its institutional framework.

The submission of the memorandum marks another step in the ongoing effort to bring a High Court bench to coastal Karnataka. While the assurance from the Chief Justice offers hope, the actual establishment of a bench will depend on administrative decisions, infrastructure readiness and policy considerations.

For now, the proposed circuit bench could serve as a practical interim solution, potentially easing the burden on litigants and improving access to justice in the region. The formation of a committee to assess feasibility indicates that the issue is being taken seriously, and stakeholders will be closely watching the developments in the coming months.