Advocates seek HC circuit bench in Shivamogga

Shivamogga: In a significant push to meet a long-standing demand of people in central Karnataka, a delegation of senior advocates from Shivamogga met chief minister Siddaramaiah in Bengaluru on Wednesday, seeking the establishment of a high court circuit bench in Shivamogga.

The meeting was held at Krishna, the CM’s official residence. Led by Shivamogga district minister Madhu Bangarappa, the delegation discussed the need for the circuit bench in detail.

The memorandum highlighted that Shivamogga, though centrally located, is about 250–300km from the principal bench in Bengaluru. Establishing a circuit bench here would ensure accessible, speedy and affordable justice for litigants from Shivamogga, Davanagere, Chikkamagaluru, and Chitradurga, who currently face financial and logistical challenges in travelling to the capital.

The delegation also noted that the central Karnataka region meets the criteria laid down by the Justice Jaswant Singh Committee for setting up a new high court bench.

Drawing a parallel with circuit benches in Kalaburagi and Dharwad, the delegation urged the CM to extend similar judicial decentralisation to central Karnataka, with Shivamogga as the focal point.

Virajpet MLA and legal advisor to the CM AS Ponnanna, along with several senior advocates, was present at the meeting.