Pics: Spoorthi Ullal

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, May 16: The long-pending demand for a high court circuit bench in Mangaluru has received a green signal from the state government, with chief minister Siddaramaiah assuring the chief justice through a letter that the government is ready to provide all necessary infrastructure, said MLC Ivan D’Souza.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday at his office in the Mangaluru City Corporation premises, he said the chief minister has conveyed readiness to extend all basic facilities required for the proposed bench. He also presented a copy of the letter addressed to the chief justice.

He said a delegation of the chief justice of the high court is expected to visit Mangaluru either by the end of May or in the first week of June to inspect the available infrastructure, as indicated in the chief minister’s communication. “With the government expressing readiness, nearly 80% of the groundwork for the circuit bench is already complete,” he said.

Ivan D’Souza expressed confidence that the circuit bench could begin functioning by October. He said the 50,000 sq ft building of the old deputy commissioner’s office near State Bank in Mangaluru is suitable for the initial functioning of the bench. A site has also been identified in the area where IAS officers’ quarters exist for providing residential facilities for judges.

He said all administrative and office infrastructure required for smooth functioning would be ensured. He added that discussions had been held with the deputy commissioner, and renovation of the old DC office building along with residential facilities for judges would be taken up through the Public Works Department (PWD). He further said he would meet the PWD minister next week regarding expenditure details.

He said the proposed circuit bench would cover the coastal districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. He expressed hope that a permanent bench would follow soon. He noted that around 12 acres of land from the Mangaluru jail premises, which is being shifted to Mudipu, is available within the city, making it suitable for future expansion. Alternatively, 140 acres of KIADB land is available in Mulki. The chief justice has reportedly observed that around 10 acres within the city would be sufficient for a permanent bench.

He added that leaders across party lines, including Speaker U T Khader, law minister H K Patil and district-in-charge minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, along with present and former MPs and MLAs, have extended support. He also noted that law students had conducted postcard and email campaigns, while citizens and advocates’ associations had staged sustained protests demanding the bench.

Government advocate M P Noronha, Mangaluru Bar Association president Raghavendra, secretary Sridhar, treasurer Girish Shetty and Sujith were present at the press conference.