Karnataka High Court Requests State Govt To Provide Two Buildings For Housing HC Offices; Resolve 'Space Crunch'

A division bench of Chief Justice Ritu Raj Awasthi and Justice Sachin Shankar Magadum in their order noted,

"We request the state government to consider the handing over of the Old Election building and the Karnataka Government Insurance Department building to the High court. Particularly considering the emergent problem of space crunch. We hope that the state government will come out with a positive response."

It added, "We request the Advocate General to use his good office to solve this problem and help the High Court in overcoming the problem of space crunch."

The direction was given during the hearing of 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 of the sections of High Court. The State Government had assured the High Court of providing an additional space.

During the hearing today, the government advocate informed the court that there is no more vacant space available in the DTE building which can be handed over to the High Court.

Senior Advocate S S Naganand appearing for the High Court administration informed the court, "In case the old election building and the Karnataka Government Insurance building, which are in close proximity of the High court building are handed over to the High court, the immediate problem would be solved."

The court has now posted the matter for further hearing on January 6, 2022.

Case Title: Ramesh Naik L v. State Of Karnataka

Case no: WP 52022/2019