The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Gulbarga and Dharwad to have Circuit Benches by July

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Saturday, May 10, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Gulbarga and Dharwad to have Circuit Benches by July

B.S. Ramesh

Notification has been issued for the postings of High Court officials

Finishing touches are being given to buildings that will house the Benches
Pending cases from Hubli-Dharwad and Gulbarga region likely to be transferred from Bangalore

BANGALORE: Even in the middle of the searing summer heat, the people of North Karnataka, in Gulbarga and Dharwad, have reason to smile. Their decades-long struggle for Circuit Benches has become a reality with the Karnataka High Court deciding to start them in the two cities by the first week of July.

Highly placed sources told The Hindu on Friday that the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Cyriac Joseph, had instructed the State Government officials to hand over two buildings that are to house the High Court Benches at Dharwad and Gulbarga, to the judiciary by June 15.

Notification issued

The sources said a notification has already been issued, clearing the decks for the appointment/recruitment/posting of High Court officials at Dharwad and Gulbarga. The notification is expected to be gazetted in a few days after which the recruitment would commence.

All the works relating to the commencement of the Benches have been put into motion and finishing touches are being given to the buildings at Dharwad and Gulbarga. The High Court, it is learnt, has also placed orders for the purchase of law books worth Rs. 25 lakh so that both the Benches are well-equipped.

The Public Works Department (PWD) has been instructed by the High Court to purchase iron almirahs and furniture.

This is to ensure that there is no delay in furnishing the court halls, library and judges’ quarters.

Though both the benches have accommodation for ten court halls, the High Court is likely to depute five judges each to Gulbarga and Dharwad. The filing of the cases would be in the respective Benches and all new cases from the districts, which would fall under the jurisdiction of the Benches, would be heard there.

Case transfers

The sources said some of the pending cases from Hubli-Dharwad and Gulbarga region and districts surrounding them would be transferred from Bangalore. Each judge is likely to be posted for at least a minimum of two weeks and a maximum of a month.

The recruitment of new staff is likely to be completed by June and some of the High Court staff from Bangalore would be sent on deputation to Gulbarga and Dharwad.

Infrastructure needs

The Chief Justice has also instructed the State Government officials to ensure that there is adequate water and power at the court buildings and court quarters. All other infrastructural facilities are being put in place and it would be a matter of a few weeks before the completed buildings are handed over to the High Court.

Once the buildings are transferred to the judiciary, the High Court is likely to take a week or a fortnight for the final touches to make the benches operational.

Apprehension

However, the sources were apprehensive that if there is any protest or agitation by the people and advocates of some districts who do not want their cases to come up before the Circuit Benches, the opening could be delayed. If that happens, it would be a case of “so near, yet so far”.

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