CJ of K’taka to visit M’luru for proposed HC bench: Ivan

Mangaluru: MLC Ivan D'Souza said the chief justice of the Karnataka high court is likely to visit Mangaluru soon, to inspect sites identified for the proposed high court circuit bench.He told reporters on Saturday, that a delegation of the Bar Association of Mangaluru, along with former supreme court judge and current Andhra Pradesh governor Justice S Abdul Nazeer, recently met the chief justice and highlighted the need to establish a circuit bench in Mangaluru to serve the region. "They briefed him on the sites identified for the purpose, and he assured them that he would visit and inspect the locations before taking a decision," the MLC said.The delegation also met the administrative judge of Dakshina Kannada, Justice HT Narendra Prasad, and discussed the long-pending demand for a circuit bench. The MLC noted that setting up of a high court bench in Mangaluru has been a long-standing demand, and would benefit the districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu and Uttara Kannada. As an initial step, a circuit bench has been proposed, with discussions already held on providing essential infrastructure, including a court hall, residential accommodation for judges and office space. Dakshina Kannada district minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has written to the state govt seeking allocation of space in the old deputy commissioner's office and to make arrangements for judges' residences. "We have held discussions with the deputy commissioner and the public works department as well as the revenue minister," he said. The MLC further said that once the district prison is relocated to Balepuni, the 12-acre area it currently occupies could be utilised for the project. The principal district and sessions judge has also written to the government in this regard. He added that the bar association has been actively engaging stakeholders, and had earlier launched a postcard campaign to press for the establishment of the circuit bench. He said chief minister Siddaramaiah is convinced of the genuineness of the demand. Principal district govt pleader of Dakshina Kannada, MP Noronha, pointed out that under Section 51(3) of the States Reorganisation Act, the chief justice has the authority to designate additional places of sitting (circuit benches) for judges.