Rise In Cases And Judicial Appointments: Karnataka High Court Asks State To Provide Additional Space For Judges' Chambers, Court Halls & Offices

The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday directed the State government to come out with a comprehensive proposal for providing additional and adequate space to the High Court for housing the offices, chambers of judges, and court halls.

A division bench of Chief Justice Prasanna B Varale and Justice M G S Kamal said, “We further make it clear that the State government may not focus only on the issue of additional and adequate space for the offices of this court but also to come with a comprehensive proposal for additional and adequate space to be provided to this court, for housing the offices, chambers of the honourable judges and the court halls.”

It added,

“It is not in dispute that in view of factors such as rise in filing of matters, the appointment and elevation of honourable judges, there is hardly any scope for this court to house the chambers of judges, court hall for seatings, adequate space for the utilities, it may not be out of place to state that delay in making appropriate arrangements would make the situation worst from bad.”

The bench gave the direction while hearing a petition filed by Advocate Ramesh Naik L. The petition states that the use of the basement in the High Court building as offices is contrary to law. It prays for a direction to the State Government to make additional space available to the High Court, so that the use of the basement for office purposes can be immediately stopped.

As per an earlier order of the Court, the State government handed over possession of two rooms in the Directorate Technical Education building for shifting some sections of the High Court. The State Government had assured the High Court of providing an additional space.

The court posted the matter for further hearing after three weeks and said “We hope and trust the State government by considering all the aspects would come with appropriate and proper proposals to deal with this situation.”

Case Title: Ramesh Naik L v. State Of Karnataka

Case no: WP 52022/2019