Circuit bench for coastal region mooted.

Circuit bench for coastal region mooted.

Mangalore Today News Network

MANGALURU: Urging that a circuit bench of the Karnataka high court be set up for the region.

Mangaluru Bar Association president S P Chengappa said a circuit bench in Mangaluru will be a great boon for more than 8,000 advocates practicing in various courts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Uttar Kannada, Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts.

Advocates as well as their clients find it very difficult to travel all the way to Bengaluru every time cases are due. They demand that circuit bench of the high court should be established for Mangaluru  similar to ones in Kalaburagi and Dharwad.

"Considering the greater number of cases in the coastal and Malnad regions, it is necessary  a circuit bench of the high court be set up in Mangaluru. It becomes unnecessarily  expensive and troublesome for people, especially poor farmers, in this region forced to travel Bengaluru for various cases. Mangaluru is an ideal place for a circuit bench as the city is close to all districts of coastal and Malnad regions," Chengappa said, adding there are more than 4,000 advocates practicing in Dakshina Kannada district and nearly 2,000 in Mangaluru.

He pointed out that the number of cases pending in the high court from coastal and Malnad regions is more compared to Kalaburagi and Dharwad districts. "We are planning to meet chief minister Siddaramaih along with the advocate general. We will discuss with the chief minister about our demand," he added. Mangaluru Bar Association also wants the government to reduce the number of working days to five per week.

"Proceedings are being held only for five days a week in all high courts and the Supreme Court. It is ideal that court proceedings in lower courts also should be limited to five days a week. The move will help advocates to prepare cases," he said.   He added that at present court proceedings in lower courts start at 11am and continue till 5.30pm.  There is ample reason for the Govt. to look into this matter of public need.