High Court of Karnataka (Gulbarga Bench)
| High Court of Karnataka (Gulbarga Bench) | |
|---|---|
| ಕರ್ನಾಟಕ ಹೈಕೋರ್ಟ್, ಕಲಬುರಗಿ ಪೀಠ | |
| 17°18′50″N 76°47′51″E / 17.3139°N 76.7974°E | |
| Established | 31 August 2013 |
| Location | Kalaburagi, Karnataka |
| Coordinates | 17°18′50″N 76°47′51″E / 17.3139°N 76.7974°E |
| Composition method | Permanent Bench |
| Authorised by | Constitution of India |
| Appeals to | Supreme Court of India |
| Number of positions | 5 (sanctioned) 3 (current) |
| Website | karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in |
The High Court of Karnataka, Kalaburagi Bench is a permanent bench of the Karnataka High Court established to serve northern Karnataka.
History
Establishment
The Kalaburagi Bench was officially approved as a permanent bench by the Government of India on August 30, 2013, following recommendations from the Chief Justice of India and consultations with the state government.[1] The bench was formally inaugurated on August 31, 2013 by Chief Justice P. Sathasivam and Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.[2]
Early Operations
The bench initially functioned from temporary facilities at the District Court complex,[3] facing several challenges including:
- Jurisdictional questions raised through a 2011 PIL[4]
- Infrastructure deficits reported in 2016[5]
- A 17-day lawyers' boycott in 2015[6]
Jurisdiction
The bench serves six districts of northern Karnataka:
Operations
Judicial Strength
| Year | Sanctioned | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 4 | 4 |
| 2017 | 4 | 2-3[8] |
| 2023 | 5 | 3[9] |
Vacation Bench
Since 2018, the bench maintains special arrangements during court vacations with rotating judges from the principal bench.[10]
Impact
A 2023 assessment noted:
- 93,784 cases disposed in first decade[11]
- 40% reduction in case backlog for northern districts[12]
- Improved access for women and marginalized communities
References
- ^ "Permanent Bench of Karnataka High Court at Dharwad and Gulbarga". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 2013-08-30.
- ^ "Gulbarga, Dharwad get permanent benches". The Hindu. 2013-08-31.
- ^ "Permanent bench of Karnataka High Court to be inaugurated on Saturday". The New Indian Express. 2013-08-24.
- ^ "Court admits PIL on jurisdiction of Gulbarga Bench". Times of India. 2011-06-28.
- ^ "Several issues haunt Kalaburagi Bench of HC". The Hindu. 2016-03-28.
- ^ "Lawyers in Kalaburagi High Court bench join indefinite boycott". The Hindu. 2015-11-04.
- ^ "HC's permanent bench in Gulbarga inaugurated". The New Indian Express. 2013-09-01.
- ^ "Shortage of judges hits work in Kalaburagi, Dharwad benches". The Hindu. 2017-09-18.
- ^ "Kalaburagi Bench of Karnataka HC functioning with just three judges". Bar & Bench.
- ^ "High Court judges to sit in Dharwad, Kalaburagi benches during vacation". The Hindu. 2018-12-11.
- ^ "Kalaburagi Bench of Karnataka High Court celebrates decennial of existence". The Hindu. 2018-08-31.
- ^ "Establishment of Dharwad and Kalaburagi benches created awareness on legal rights". The Hindu. 2023-05-06.