The legal community in Shivamogga has intensified its demand for the establishment of a High Court circuit bench specifically to serve the central region of the state. During a recent high-profile gathering of the Shivamogga District Advocates’ Association, legal professionals voiced their collective opposition to an alternative proposal that would see a bench established in Mangaluru to serve both coastal and Malnad districts.
Geographical Accessibility at the Heart of the Dispute
The primary argument put forward by the Shivamogga bar is centered on geographical convenience and the “centrality” of their district. Advocates argue that Shivamogga serves as a natural hub for several surrounding districts, making it the most logical location for a circuit bench. They contend that forcing residents of the Malnad and central regions to travel to Mangaluru would be counterproductive, as the coastal city is far from centrally located for the inland population.
According to the association, the judicial needs of the central Karnataka region have been overlooked for too long. By establishing a circuit bench in Shivamogga, the legal system would become more accessible to thousands of litigants who currently must travel long distances to reach the main High Court in Bengaluru.
Opposition to the Mangaluru Proposal
While various regions have lobbied for their own circuit benches, the specific proposal to cluster Shivamogga with the coastal districts under a Mangaluru-based bench has met with stiff resistance. “The connectivity and distance factors do not favor Mangaluru for the people of this region,” a spokesperson for the local bar association noted. The legal community believes that merging these distinct geographical areas into one jurisdiction under Mangaluru would fail to alleviate the logistical burdens faced by citizens.
A History of Judicial Decentralization
The movement for circuit benches in Karnataka has gained momentum over the last two decades, following the successful implementation of benches in Dharwad and Kalaburagi. Advocates in Shivamogga believe their district is the next rightful candidate for such an expansion, citing the high volume of cases originating from the central districts. They remain steadfast in their stance that any judicial expansion must prioritize the ease of the common litigant over administrative convenience.
The association has warned that they will continue to lobby state authorities and judicial heads until their demand for a dedicated central circuit bench is addressed.
