Mangaluru: Dakshina Kannada district minister UT Khader announced that an official committee led by the deputy commissioner will be formed to formulate a clear checklist of all the infrastructural requirements that the three-member committee appointed by the high court demands to verify the feasibility of the establishment of a high court circuit bench or permanent bench in Mangaluru.He was speaking at an interaction with stakeholders organised here on Sunday to discuss demands for the establishment of a high court bench.“The final decision will depend on the report submitted by the three-member committee and how effectively we advocate our case. But before that happens, our foremost priority is to convince the committee, build trust, convene a joint meeting of senior advocates, in-charge ministers, and legislators from all four districts, and deliver a unified message to the committee. We must formulate a clear checklist of all the infrastructural requirements they demand. To answer what is required, what we can provide, and how we will arrange it, we should form a committee comprising officials and public representatives under the leadership of the deputy commissioner. We must have everything ready in advance so that when the committee arrives, we can present our readiness immediately,” Khader said.As for convincing the visiting judges, the advocates understand this far better than anyone else, as you know precisely how to present a case and make persuasive legal arguments, he noted.A meeting of the district ministers and legislators from Shivamogga, Chikkamagaluru, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada districts will be convened immediately after the upcoming Dasara festivities, he said. “We must display total unity and work to take them fully into our confidence. The people of Chikkamagaluru will certainly support us, as Bengaluru is far for them, while Mangaluru is much closer and has all the necessary infrastructure. Even for the people of Kodagu district, whether they choose Bengaluru or not, Mangaluru is naturally far closer. The people of Udupi and Uttara Kannada are definitely with us,” said Khader.Senior advocate MP Noronha said that stakeholders, including advocates and clients, need to submit an affidavit highlighting the difficulties faced by litigants whose cases are pending before the high court in Bengaluru.Mangalore Bar Association president Jagadish Shenava said it will take nearly 10 years to dispose of cases pertaining to Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru pending before the high court.MLC Ivan D’Souza said cases relating to the Land Reforms Act, KIADB land acquisition and Moolageni rights had been pending before the high court for several years, leaving litigants waiting for justice.Mangalore University vice-chancellor PL Dharma said a circular will be issued to all its affiliated colleges stressing the need for a high court bench in Mangaluru. “Students will be encouraged to launch a postcard campaign demanding the establishment of high court bench,” he said.
