Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Vibhu Bakhru is likely to visit Mangaluru either during the last week of May or the first week of June to inspect the infrastructure available and take a decision on setting up a circuit bench of the high court in Mangaluru, according to MLC Ivan D’Souza.

Addressing press persons here on Saturday, Mr. D’Souza, who is leading the demand for the bench with the Mangaluru Bar Association, said that legal professionals are hopeful of Mangaluru getting the bench by October, 2026.

Mr. D’Souza, who is also an advocate, said that once the circuit bench in Mangaluru is sanctioned, it is likely to get four judges.

The MLC said that the district administration has already identified government quarters in the Lalbagh area to provide accommodation to the judges.

Mr. D’Souza said that the old Deputy Commissioner’s office premises is spread out on seven acres, which is enough to set up the circuit bench. The present premises of the district jail, spread out on 12 acres, in the heart of the city, is available to establish a permanent bench of the High Court at a later stage, as the jail would be shifted to Balepuni on the outskirts of Mangaluru after some months, he said.

He said establishing the circuit bench in Mangaluru will help litigants of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada. The High Court will decide on the jurisdiction of the circuit bench.

Mangaluru Bar Association president H.V. Raghavendra and senior advocate M.P. Noronha were present.