Advocates have launched a protest demanding a circuit bench of the Shivamogga High Court

Advocates are staging a protest, demanding a circuit bench of the Shivamogga High Court on Monday. | Photo credit: SK Dinesh

The Shivamogga Bar Association started a protest outside the district court on Monday demanding the setting up of a bench of the high court in the city.

Proponents argue that a circuit bench here would greatly benefit litigants from the district and neighboring regions, including Davangere, Chitradurga and Chikkamagaluru, and seek a dedicated bench to serve the central region of Karnataka.

The move was prompted by Dakshina Kannada advocates’ demand for a circuit bench in Mangaluru to cover coastal and Malnad districts, a proposal that surprised Shivamogg’s legal fraternity. Local advocates expressed strong displeasure that they were not consulted before such a demand was made and made it clear that they would oppose any attempt to place Mangaluru as a bench seat in the Malnad region, saying it would be neither practical nor convenient for the people of Shivamogga.

Association president GR Raghavendra Swamy said the protest would continue until the state government responded positively. The association plans to meet the chief minister and other elected representatives soon to press its case.

Published – 18 May 2026 18:41 IST