Shivamogga Deserves a High Court Circuit Bench: MP B.Y. Raghavendra Urges Governor’s Intervention.

Shivamogga, 23 Jun 2026:

Taking forward the long-pending public demand for a High Court Circuit Bench in Shivamogga, Lok Sabha Member of Parliament B.Y. Raghavendra has formally appealed to His Excellency, the Governor of Karnataka Thaawarchand Gehlot, to facilitate the establishment of the judicial bench for the benefit of the Malnad and Central Karnataka region.

MP Raghavendra met the Governor of Karnataka, Thaawarchand Gehlot, at Lok Bhavan today and submitted a detailed representation seeking the establishment of a High Court Circuit Bench at Shivamogga. During the meeting, MP highlighted Shivamogga’s strategic location and its emergence as a major administrative, educational, commercial and transportation hub in Central Karnataka. He emphasised that a Circuit Bench at Shivamogga would serve not only the people of Shivamogga district but also litigants from the wider Malnad and Central Karnataka region, including Chikkamagaluru, Davanagere and Chitradurga districts, thereby making access to justice more affordable, convenient and efficient. Mr Vivek Subba Reddy, the President of Advocates’ Association Bengaluru was also present during this meeting and he seconded MP’s views

MP Raghavendra’s intervention comes in response to the long-standing demand of the people of Malnad and Central Karnataka, as well as members of the legal fraternity, bar associations and various civil society organisations, who have consistently advocated the establishment of a High Court Circuit Bench in Shivamogga to address the growing judicial needs of the region.

Retention Under Bengaluru Jurisdiction Until Circuit Bench is Established: The MP has also urged that Shivamogga district continue under the jurisdiction of the Principal Bench of the High Court at Bengaluru until a dedicated Circuit Bench is established in Shivamogga. Reflecting the concerns expressed by advocates, litigants and the wider public, he submitted that Bengaluru remains the most accessible judicial centre for the people of Shivamogga. He further conveyed the strong sentiment prevailing in the region against bringing Shivamogga under the jurisdiction of a proposed Bench at Mangaluru, noting that such an arrangement would not adequately serve the interests and convenience of litigants from Malnad and Central Karnataka.

“The establishment of a High Court Circuit Bench at Shivamogga would significantly enhance access to justice, reduce the burden and costs faced by litigants, and fulfil a long-standing aspiration of the people of Malnad and Central Karnataka,” Raghavendra stated.