HC circuit bench likely in Mangaluru by August: Ivan D’Souza
Mangaluru: : MLC Ivan D’Souza said on Saturday that the Chief Minister has written a letter to the Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court requesting immediate establishment. Circuit Bench in MangaluruAnd they hope that it will be installed by August this year.He told reporters that the Chief Justice is expected to visit the city by the end of this month or in the first week of June to inspect the infrastructure identified for the proposed bench. D’Souza said that when the Chief Minister had visited Mangaluru four months ago, he had expressed support for the demand and said that a decision would be taken after discussion with the Chief Justice.D’Souza said that during a meeting with the Chief Justice in Udupi, he accepted that this was a genuine demand and the law should be decentralized so that justice can be delivered closer to the people. However, the Chief Justice had asked what was the government’s view on the issue, he said.He said that although the Chief Justice can expand the bench, he believes that the government and the Chief Justice should move forward together and has requested the Chief Minister to write a letter. “Now we feel that 80% of the work has been completed after the Chief Minister’s letter,” Ivan said. He expressed confidence that the High Court Circuit Bench would be established soon.D’Souza said, the Chief Justice had raised concerns about infrastructure and basic facilities, which has now been clarified through the government’s communication. He said a demand has been made for a separate committee and a nodal officer to look after the residence of judges.D’Souza said the circuit bench would benefit the citizens of Dakshina Kannada, Uttara Kannada and Udupi, while adding that the decision on jurisdiction rests solely with the Chief Justice.In his letter, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said litigants and lawyers from coastal districts have to travel to Bengaluru, causing financial strain, logistical difficulties and delays in accessing justice. He said a circuit bench in Mangaluru would decentralize judicial access and ensure timely and affordable justice. He said that the government is ready to facilitate this initiative immediately.The letter said that approximately 50,000 square feet of space in the old Deputy Commissioner’s office in Mangaluru has been identified for residential accommodation for judges and necessary civil and administrative infrastructure as well as court operations.