Bengaluru, June 23: B.Y. Raghavendra, a four-time Lok Sabha MP from Shivamogga and son of former Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa, has urged Karnataka Governor Thawar Chand Gehlot to intervene and advise the state government to take immediate steps for the establishment of a High Court circuit bench in Shivamogga. He emphasized that the district is well-suited for such a facility.
In a formal memorandum submitted to the Governor at the Lok Bhavan on Tuesday, Raghavendra argued that the establishment of a High Court circuit bench in Shivamogga would significantly improve access to justice for residents of the Malnad and central Karnataka regions.
He highlighted Shivamogga’s geographical position as a major administrative, educational, commercial, and transportation hub in central Karnataka. The proposed circuit bench would benefit not only the people of Shivamogga district but also litigants and legal professionals from neighboring districts like Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere, and Chitradurga.
Raghavendra stated that the establishment of a High Court circuit bench in Shivamogga would make access to justice easier, more convenient, and more effective for the people of Malnad and central Karnataka.
He noted that the demand for a circuit bench has been consistently raised by local lawyers, bar associations, and various civil society organizations. During the meeting, Vivek Subba Reddy, president of the Bengaluru Advocates Association, was also present and supported this demand.
Raghavendra further urged that until a separate High Court circuit bench is established in Shivamogga, the district should remain under the jurisdiction of the principal bench of the Karnataka High Court located in Bengaluru.
He expressed concerns from lawyers, litigants, and the general public regarding proposals to bring Shivamogga under the jurisdiction of the proposed bench in Mangaluru. From the perspective of access and convenience, Bengaluru remains the most practical judicial center for the people of Shivamogga. Connecting the district to the proposed Mangaluru bench would not adequately serve the interests and convenience of litigants from Malnad and central Karnataka.
The MP also informed the Governor about the sentiments of various stakeholders in Shivamogga who oppose the inclusion of the district under the jurisdiction of the proposed Mangaluru bench.
Raghavendra asserted that establishing a circuit bench in Shivamogga would strengthen the right to access justice, reduce litigation-related costs, and fulfill the long-standing aspirations of the region’s residents. He concluded that the establishment of a High Court circuit bench in Shivamogga would significantly enhance access to justice, lessen the financial burden on litigants, and address the long-standing demand of the Malnad and central Karnataka regions.
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