Daijiworld Media Network – Brahmavar (JD)

Brahmavar, Oct 17: A demand for the establishment of a High Court bench for the coastal region in Udupi gained momentum at a demand meeting organised by the Brahmavar Taluk High Court Bench Struggle Committee and the Advocates’ Association, following a call by the Udupi District High Court Bench Struggle Committee.

Representatives of various organisations from Brahmavar taluk participated in the meeting and stressed the need to establish the proposed bench at the earliest. They expressed the view that Udupi, being centrally located in the coastal region, would be an ideal location for the bench, benefiting people from all three coastal districts as well as neighbouring regions, including Shivamogga and Chikkamagaluru.

Introducing the meeting, advocate Prem Prasad Shetty, district convener of the High Court Bench Struggle Committee, said the time was right to fulfil the long-standing demand for a separate High Court bench for the coastal region.

He referred to the reports of the Justice Jaswant Singh Commission, NITI Aayog and the Law Commission of India, stating that their recommendations on judicial reforms supported the need to improve access to justice.

Welcoming the Karnataka Chief Justice’s notification last month constituting a three-member judicial committee to examine the feasibility and implications of establishing a High Court bench, he described it as a positive development resulting from the sustained struggle.

Prem Prasad Shetty pointed out that people from the coastal region currently face considerable difficulties in accessing the principal bench in Bengaluru, including long-distance travel of nearly 1,000 kilometres, high expenses and the loss of time and effort.

He said the proposed bench would help uphold the principles of equality before the law and the right to justice enshrined in Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. He also noted that more than 50 lakh people in the coastal region, which he described as one of the state’s major tax-contributing regions, would benefit from easier access to judicial services.

“The main objective is to bring justice closer to the people. This is a legitimate struggle for the poor, disadvantaged sections and ordinary citizens. We must remain united and organised until the demand is fulfilled,” he said.

Entrepreneur and political leader Prasad Raj Kanchan, former Zilla Panchayat president Bhujanga Shetty, Advocates’ Association president Kadoor Praveen Shetty, social activist Shekhar Havanaje and Jnana Vasanth Shetty also addressed the gathering, expressing support for the demand.

The meeting was attended by Lions Club president Sudesh Hegde, Rotary Club’s Pramod Shetty, Jaikishan, senior citizens’ forum representative Shedikodlu Vittal Shetty, Samata Sainik Dal women’s president Jyothi Shiriyara, RTI activist Sadashiva Shetty, Barakuru Shantharam Shetty, Akhil Hegde, Dalit Sangharsha Samiti district president Chandra Althar, Harish Shetty Cherkadi and Pournami Prem.

Representatives of the auto drivers’ association, goods auto owners’ association, women’s self-help groups and students of SMS and VBCL colleges were also present.

Alwyn Andrade compered the programme, while Mahesh Tadekallu proposed the vote of thanks.