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{{short description|High Court for Indian state of Karnataka}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2020}}
{{Infobox high court
| court_name = High Court of Karnataka Karnāṭaka Ućća Nyāyālaya
| image = Logo of Karnataka High Court.png
| imagesize = 220px
| caption = Emblem of the court
| established = {{start_date and age|df=y|p=y|1884}}
| jurisdiction = [[Karnataka]]
| location = '''Principal bench''' {{bulleted list|[[Bengaluru]]}} '''Additional benches''' {{bulleted list|[[High Court of Karnataka (Dharwad Bench)|Dharwad]]|[[High Court of Karnataka (Gulbarga Bench)|Kalaburagi]]}}
| coordinates = {{coord|12.9779|N|77.5926|E|display=inline,title}}
| type = [[President of India|Presidential]] appointment on [[advice and consent|advice]] of the [[Chief Justice of India]] and the [[Governor of Karnataka]].
| authority = [[Constitution of India]]
| terms = Mandatory retirement at age 62
| positions = 62
| language = Kannada, English
| website = [https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in https://judiciary.karnataka.gov.in]
| chiefjudgetitle = [[Chief justice|Chief Justice]]
| chiefjudgename = [[Vibhu Bakhru]]
| termstart = 19 July 2025
| termend =
}}

The '''High Court of Karnataka''' (''IAST: Karnāṭaka Ućća Nyāyālaya'', commonly referred to as the '''Karnataka High Court''' and formerly known as the '''Mysore High Court''', is the highest judicial authority of the [[Indian state|Indian]] state of [[Karnataka]]. The court's principal [[Bench (law)|bench]] is located in [[Bengaluru]], the capital city of Karnataka, with additional benches in [[Hubballi-Dharwad|Hubballi-Dharwad]] and Kalaburagi. In [[Bangalore|Bengaluru]], the High Court operates from a red-painted brick building known as the [[Attara Kacheri]], located opposite the [[Vidhana Soudha]], the seat of the [[Karnataka Legislature]].

== Composition ==
The High Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Karnataka and other judges, who are appointed by the [[President of India]].<ref>{{cite constitution|article=216|polity=India|date=1950}}</ref> As of February 2022, there are 45 judges in the High Court,<ref>{{Cite web|title=High Court of Karnataka Official Web Site|url=https://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/profiles-sitting-judges.php}}</ref> against a sanctioned maximum strength of 62.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|date=9 January 2020|title=High Court sees highest number of judges at 43|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/high-court-sees-highest-number-of-judges-at-43/article30517359.ece|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201221075045/https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/karnataka/high-court-sees-highest-number-of-judges-at-43/article30517359.ece|archive-date=21 December 2020|access-date=21 December 2020|website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> [[V. Kameswar Rao|Valluri Kameswar Rao]] has been the Acting [[Chief Justice]] since 30 May 2025.

== Powers and jurisdiction ==
The High Court is the highest judicial authority within the State of Karnataka. It has superintendence over all courts and tribunals, such as district courts, operating within Karnataka, except those of the armed forces.<ref>{{cite constitution|article=227|clause=1|polity=India|date=1950}}</ref><ref>{{cite constitution|article=227|clause=4|polity=India|date=1950}}</ref> [[Appeal|Appeals]] against judgments of lower courts, such as district-level civil and sessions courts, are heard in the High Court. Appeals against judgments of the High Court are heard by the [[Supreme Court of India]].

The High Court is a [[court of record]] and has the authority to prosecute for [[Contempt of court|contempt]] of itself.<ref>{{cite constitution|article=215|polity=India|date=1950}}</ref>

The Karnataka High Court has permanent benches at [[Hubli–Dharwad|Hubballi-Dharwada]] (operational on 24 August 2013) and [[High Court of Karnataka (Gulbarga Bench)|Kalaburagi]] (operational on 31 August 2013).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=98252 |title=Permanent Benches of Karnataka High Court Established at Dharwad and Gulbarga |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref> Prior to the establishment of permanent benches, Hubballi-Dharwada and Kalaburagi had circuit benches of Karnataka High Court starting in 2008. The Hubballi-Dharwada bench was inaugurated by then Chief Justice of India [[K. G. Balakrishnan|K.G. Balakrishnan]] on 4 July 2008 and became operational on 7 July 2008.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hubballi/dharwad-high-court-bench-all-set-to-celebrate-its-10th-anniversary/articleshow/64846937.cms |title=Dharwad high court bench all set to celebrate its 10th anniversary |work=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>
== Premises ==
{{Main|Attara Kacheri}}
[[File:High Court of Karnataka.jpg|thumb|Rear facade of ''Attara Kacheri,'' the Bengaluru seat of the Court's principal bench (in Neoclassical architecture style)]]
[[File:19-High Court Karnataka.JPG|thumb|''Attara Kacheri,'' the Bengaluru seat of the Court's principal bench]]
The High Court's principal bench is located in Bengaluru, in a building called the ''Attara Kacheri''. It is a two-storey building made of stone and brick, painted red, in the [[Neoclassical architecture|neoclassical]] style. The building was constructed between 1864 and 1868<ref>{{Cite news |title=Attara Kacheri: Building that housed 18 public departments made way for Karnataka High Court |work=The Economic Times |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/attara-kacheri-building-that-housed-18-public-departments-made-way-for-karnataka-high-court/articleshow/48713221.cms |access-date=2021-01-05}}</ref> and is located in Bengaluru's Cubbon Park.
[[File:Karnataka High Court Plaque 1992.jpg|thumb|alt=Attara Kacheri Plaque|Karnataka High Court Plaque]]
In 1982, it was proposed to demolish this building.<ref name="dem">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041821260500.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071210130408/http://www.hindu.com/2007/04/18/stories/2007041821260500.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=10 December 2007|title=When the axe was spared |access-date=11 September 2007 |location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 April 2007}}</ref> A [[public interest litigation]] (PIL) was filed in the High Court to prevent demolition. This was the first PIL ever filed in the court, and the case was heard in the same building that was supposed to be demolished.<ref name="dem1">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2006/04/18/stories/2006041800680100.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060912191242/http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/mp/2006/04/18/stories/2006041800680100.htm|url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2006 |title=The battle for Attara Kacheri |access-date=11 September 2007 |location=Chennai, India |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=18 April 2006}}</ref> The petition was dismissed by the High Court, but in 1985 the proposal to demolish the building was dropped after the Supreme Court directed the state government to reconsider demolition.

=== Heritage ===
Lord Cubbon, the then Viceroy of Colonial India was responsible for building [[Attara Kacheri]]. The building features Greco-Roman styled architecture with red paint and a sprawling expansive layout, marked by a distinguished central structure. A portion of the High Court building served as Attara Kacheri, during the [[Kingdom of Mysore|Mysore Kingdom]] era, housing various public offices.

The entrance of the Attara Kacheri building now faces the side opposite to the [[Vidhana Soudha]], which was originally the rear side of the former Attara Kacheri. Over a hundred years later, when the building became the High Court, it began to show signs of age and wear. This led to the proposal for its demolition during the tenure of [[Kengal Hanumanthaiah]] and again in 1984, when there was a plan to replace it with a new structure. These proposals faced significant protests from citizens who opposed dismantling the colonial-era building.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed, but the High Court dismissed the petition. The case was subsequently taken to the Supreme Court. In consideration of the public concerns, the government decided not to demolish the building but instead to renovate and expand it to meet modern needs. The government of Karnataka assigned the task to the engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD).<ref>Dayananda, Prof. N. Justice N Venkatachala - The Tireless Crusader. pp. 143-165</ref> Preparations began in 1986 to renovate the old structure and add a new parallel block, designed in the same style as the original Attara Kacheri.

In 1990s, the Karnataka Government successfully rejuvenated the Attara Kacheri building, adding new blocks alongside the existing structure. The old building was reinforced to accommodate the updated requirements. The Northern Block was formally Inaugurated by Lokayuktha Venkatachala, with a plaque installed during the event.<ref>Iyer, Meera (2019) Discovering Bengaluru. {{ISBN|9353210291}} pp. 98-99</ref>

== Chief Justice and Judges ==
The current sitting judges of the court are as follows:<ref>[https://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/profiles-sitting-judges.php High Court of Karnataka - Profile of sitting judges]</ref>{{See also|List of sitting judges of the high courts of India#Karnataka High Court}}

== Former Chief Justices ==
P. Mahadevayya, M. Sadasivayya, [[Nittoor Srinivasa Rau]], [[Sam Piroj Bharucha]] and [[G. T. Nanavati]] were among the notable Chief Justices who presided over this court.

=== List of former Chief Justices ===
;High Court of Mysore
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!N
!Chief Justice
!Term
|-
|1
|Charles George Plumer
|1884 – July 1890
|-
|2
|Sir [[T. R. A. Thumboo Chetty]]
| July 1890 – 4 November 1895
|-
|3
|James William Best
|4 November 1895 – 1907
|-
|4
||[[Stanley Ismay]]
|1908–1912
|-
|5
|P. Mahadevayya
|1931–1934
|-
|6
|''Justice Palecanda Belliappa Medapa''
|1948 -1955
|}

;High Court of Karnataka
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!#
!Chief Justice
!Term
|-
!1
|[[R. Venkataramaiah]]
|1 November 1956 – 16 July 1957
|-
!2
|S. R. Das Gupta
|25 July 1957 – 13 August 1961
|-
!3
|[[Nittoor Srinivasa Rau]]
|29 March 1962 – 7 August 1963
|-
!4
|[[A. R. Somanath Iyer]]
|23 November 1969 – 29 December 1969
|-
!5
|M. Sadasivayya
|30 December 1969 – 16 September 1970
|-
!6
|A. Narayana Pai
|17 September 1970 – 6 June 1973
|-
!7
|G. K. Govinda Bhat
|7 June 1973 – 14 December 1977
|-
!8
|D. M. Chandrashekar
|22 March 1978 – 25 September 1982
|-
!9
|K. Bhimaiah
|28 October 1982 – 10 April 1983
|-
!10
|[[V. S. Malimath]]
|6 February 1984 – 24 October 1985
|-
!11
|Prem Chand Jain
|28 August 1986 – 16 September 1989
|-
!12
|S. Mohan
|26 October 1989 – 7 October 1991
|-
!13
|[[Sam Piroj Bharucha|S. P. Bharucha]]
|1 January 1991 – 30 June 1992
|-
!14
|S. B. Majumdar
|2 July 1993 – 13 September 1994
|-
!15
|[[G. T. Nanavati]]
|28 September 1994 – 4 March 1995
|-
!16
|M. L. Pendse
|28 July 1995 – 25 March 1996
|-
!17
|S. A. Hakeem
|3 May 1996 – 9 May 1996
|-
!18
|R. P. Sethi
|29 June 1996 – 6 January 1999
|-
!19
|[[Y. Bhaskar Rao]]
|9 March 1999 – 26 June 2000
|-
!20
|P. V. Reddi
|21 October 2000 – 16 August 2001
|-
!21
|[[Nagendra Kumar Jain]]
|31 August 2001 – 20 October 2004
|-
!22
|[[Nauvdip Kumar Sodhi]]
|19 November 2004 – 29 November 2005
|-
!23
|[[Cyriac Joseph]]
|7 January 2006 – 6 July 2008
|-
!24
|[[P. D. Dinakaran]]
|8 August 2008 – 7 August 2010
|-
!25
|[[Jagdish Singh Khehar]]
|8 August 2010 – 12 September 2011
|-
!26
|[[Vikramajit Sen]]
|24 December 2011 – 24 December 2012
|-
!27
|[[Dhirendra Hiralal Waghela]]
|7 March 2013 – 1 June 2015
|-
!28
|[[Subhro Kamal Mukherjee]]
| 23 February 2016– 9 October 2017
|-
!29
|[[Dinesh Maheshwari]]
| 12 February 2018 – 17 January 2019
|-
!30
|[[Abhay Shreeniwas Oka]]
|10 May 2019 – 30 August 2021
|-
!31
|[[Ritu Raj Awasthi]]
|11 October 2021 – 2 July 2022
|-
!32
|[[Prasanna B. Varale]]
|15 October 2022 – 24 January 2024
|-
!33
|[[P. S. Dinesh Kumar]]
|3 February 2024 – 24 February 2024
|-
!34
|[[Nilay Vipinchandra Anjaria]]
|25 February 2024 – 29 May 2025
|-
!35
|[[Vibhu Bakhru]]
|19 July 2025 – ''Incumbent''
|}

== Judges elevated to Supreme Court ==

=== Currently serving ===
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header" width="92%" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |Name of the Judge
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Date of Appointment as Judge
! rowspan="2" |Date of elevation to Supreme Court
! rowspan="2" |Date of Retirement
! colspan="3" |Tenure
! rowspan="2" |Immediately preceding office
|-
!As HC Judge
!As Supreme Court Judge
!Total tenure {{small|(including both SC and HC)}} 
|-
!1
|[[B. V. Nagarathna|Bengaluru Venkataramaiah Nagarathna]]
|[[File:Justice_BV_Nagarathna.jpg|alt=|108x108px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{dts|2008|2|18|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2021|8|31|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2027|10|29|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2008|2|18|2021|8|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2021|8|31|2027|10|29|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2008|2|18|2027|10|29|duration=on}}
|Judge of Karnataka HC
|-
!2
|[[Aravind Kumar]]
|[[File:Justice_Aravind_Kumar.jpg|alt=|85x85px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{dts|2009|6|26|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2023|2|13|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2027|7|13|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2009|6|26|2023|2|12|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2023|2|12|2027|7|13|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2009|6|26|2027|7|13|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Gujarat High Court|26th CJ]] of [[Gujarat High Court|Gujarat HC]]
|}

=== Former Judges ===
{| class="wikitable sortable static-row-numbers static-row-header" width="92%" style="text-align:center"
! rowspan="2" |#
! rowspan="2" |Name of the Judge
! rowspan="2" |Image
! rowspan="2" |Date of Appointment as Judge
! rowspan="2" |Date of elevation to Supreme Court
! rowspan="2" |Date of Retirement
! colspan="3" |Tenure
! rowspan="2" |Immediately preceding office
! rowspan="2" |Remarks
|-
!As HC Judge
!As Supreme Court Judge
!Total tenure {{small|(including both SC and HC)}} 
|-
!1
|[[K. S. Hegde|Kowdoor Sadananda Hegde]]
|[[File:K._S._Hegde.jpg|alt=|103x103px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|1957|8|26|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1967|7|17|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1973|4|30|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1957|8|26|1967|7|16|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1967|7|17|1973|4|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1957|8|26|1973|4|30|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Delhi High Court|1st CJ]] of [[Delhi High Court|Delhi HC]]
|Resigned from office
|-
!2
|[[Engalaguppe Seetharamiah Venkataramiah|'''Engalaguppe Seetharamiah Venkataramiah''']]
|'''[[File:Justice E.S. Venkataramiah.jpg|alt=|93x93px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]'''
|'''{{Dts|1970|6|25|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|1979|3|8|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|1989|12|17|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1970|6|25|1979|3|7|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1979|3|8|1989|12|17|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1970|6|25|1989|12|17|duration=on}}'''
|'''Judge of Karnataka HC'''
|'''19th Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!3
|[[Kalmanje Jagannatha Shetty]]
|
|{{Dts|1970|6|25|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1987|5|1|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|1991|12|14|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1970|6|25|1987|4|30|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1987|5|1|1991|12|14|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1970|6|25|1991|12|14|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Allahabad High Court|27th CJ]] of [[Allahabad High Court|Allahabad HC]]
|
|-
!4
|[[M. N. Venkatachaliah|'''Manepalli Narayanarao Venkatachaliah''']]
|'''[[File:Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah.jpg|126x126px]]'''
|'''{{Dts|1975|11|6|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|1987|10|5|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|1994|10|24|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1975|11|6|1987|10|4|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1987|10|5|1994|10|24|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1975|11|6|1994|10|24|duration=on}}'''
|'''Judge of Karnataka HC'''
|'''25th Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!5
|[[N. Venkatachala|Nanje Gowda Venkatachala]]
|
|{{Dts|1977|11|28|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|1992|7|1|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|1995|7|2|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1977|11|28|1992|6|30|duration=on}}
| rowspan="1" align="center" |{{ayd|1992|7|1|1995|7|2|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1977|11|28|1995|7|2|duration=on}}
|Judge of Karnataka HC
|
|-
!6
|[[S. Rajendra Babu|'''Sanjeevalu Rajendra Babu''']]
|'''[[File:Justice S. Rajendra Babu.jpg|126x126px]]'''
|'''{{Dts|1988|2|19|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|1997|9|25|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{Dts|2004|5|31|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1988|2|19|1997|9|24|duration=on}}'''
| align="center" |'''{{ayd|1997|9|25|2004|5|31|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1988|2|19|2004|5|31|duration=on}}'''
|'''Judge of Karnataka HC'''
|'''34th Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!7
|[[Shivaraj Patil|Shivaraj Virupanna Patil]]
|
|{{Dts|1990|3|29|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2000|3|15|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2005|1|11|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1990|3|29|2000|3|14|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2000|3|15|2005|1|11|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1990|3|29|2005|1|11|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Rajasthan High Court|21st CJ]] of [[Rajasthan High Court|Rajasthan HC]]
|
|-
!8
|[[R. V. Raveendran|Raju Varadarajulu Raveendran]]
|
|{{Dts|1993|2|22|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2005|9|9|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2011|10|15|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1993|2|22|2005|9|8|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2005|9|9|2011|10|15|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1993|2|22|2011|10|15|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Madhya Pradesh High Court|18th CJ]] of [[Madhya Pradesh High Court|Madhya Pradesh HC]]
|
|-
!9
|[[H. L. Dattu|'''Handyala Lakshminarayanaswamy Dattu''']]
|'''[[File:Justice H.L. Dattu.jpg|94x94px|Ranjan Gogoi]]'''
|'''{{Dts|1995|12|18|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|2008|12|17|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{dts|2015|12|2|format=dmy}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1995|12|18|2008|12|16|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|2008|12|17|2015|12|2|duration=on}}'''
|'''{{ayd|1995|12|18|2015|12|2|duration=on}}'''
|'''[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Kerala High Court|27th CJ]] of [[Kerala High Court|Kerala HC]]'''
|'''42nd Chief Justice of India'''
|-
!10
|[[Venkate Gopala Gowda]]
|[[File:Justice_VG_Gopala_Gowda.jpg|100x100px]]
|{{Dts|1997|6|11|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2012|12|24|format=dmy}}
|{{Dts|2016|10|5|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|1997|6|11|2012|12|23|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2012|12|24|2016|10|5|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|1997|6|11|2016|10|5|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Orissa High Court|24th CJ]] of [[Orissa High Court|Orissa HC]]
|
|-
!11
|[[Mohan Shantanagoudar]]
|[[File:Justice Mohan M. Shantanagoudar.jpg|alt=|100x100px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2003|5|12|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2017|2|17|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2021|4|24|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2003|5|12|2017|2|16|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2017|2|17|2021|4|24|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2003|5|12|2021|4|24|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Kerala High Court|32nd CJ]] of [[Kerala High Court|Kerala HC]]
|Died in office
|-
!12
|[[Syed Abdul Nazeer]]
|[[File:Justice S. Abdul Nazeer.jpg|alt=|100x100px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2003|5|12|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2017|2|17|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2023|1|4|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2003|5|12|2017|2|16|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2017|2|17|2023|1|4|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2003|5|12|2023|1|4|duration=on}}
|Judge of Karnataka HC
|
|-
!13
|[[A. S. Bopanna|Ajjikuttira Somaiah Bopanna]]
|[[File:Justice A S Bopanna.jpg|alt=|99x99px|Dhananjaya Yeshwant Chandrachud]]
|{{Dts|2006|1|6|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2019|5|24|format=dmy}}
|{{dts|2024|5|19|format=dmy}}
|{{ayd|2006|1|6|2019|5|23|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2019|5|24|2024|5|19|duration=on}}
|{{ayd|2006|1|6|2024|5|19|duration=on}}
|[[List of former chief justices of the high courts of India#Gauhati High Court|37th CJ]] of [[Gauhati High Court|Gauhati HC]]
|
|}

== Judges elevated as Chief Justices ==

== Additional Benches ==

[[File:©India.Karnataka.Gulbarga.High Court bench Gulbarga.JPG|thumb|Karnataka High court bench in Kalaburagi.]]The Karnataka High Court currently operates in Bengaluru, Hubballi-Dharwada and Kalaburagi. For many years there was a demand for additional benches due to the difficulty faced by people from northern regions of the state, as Bengaluru is located in the southeastern corner. This issue led to agitation, including boycott of court proceedings by lawyers in the northern region. In response, the government decided to establish circuit benches in [[Hubli–Dharwad|Hubballi-Dharwada]] and [[Gulbarga|Kalaburagi]] in 2006.<ref name="cir">{{cite news|url=http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/05/stories/2006080510320400.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129153921/http://www.hindu.com/2006/08/05/stories/2006080510320400.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 November 2010|title= Contracts signed for circuit Bench buildings|access-date=11 September 2007|location=Chennai, India|work=[[The Hindu]]|date=5 August 2006}}</ref> The new benches were inaugurated on 4 and 5 July 2008, respectively. Subsequently, there was a push to make both the Hubballi-Dharwada and Kalaburagi benches permanent. As a result, the Hubballi-Dharwadaa bench became permanent on from 25 August 2013, followed by the Kalaburagi bench on 31 August 2013.

== Controversies ==
In late 2002, 14 newspapers and periodicals reported allegations of a [[sex scandal]] involving some judges of the Karnataka High Court in Mysore. In response, the Chief Justice formed a high-level [[judicial inquiry]] committee to investigate the matter. The committee later [[acquitted]] the judges, as no substantial [[Evidence (law)|evidence]] could be found to support the allegations.<ref name="contrv1">{{cite news |title=Mysore sex scandal: Media faces contempt case |work=The Times of India|location=India |access-date=7 February 2003 |url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/articleshow/36704861.cms |date=7 February 2003}}</ref><ref name="contrv2">{{cite web |title=Contempt proceedings against scribes stayed |work=The Tribune |access-date=5 May 2003 |url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2003/20031119/nation.htm}}</ref><ref name="contrv3">{{cite web |title=Karnataka HC judges cleared in sex scandal |publisher=Rediff |access-date=2 February 2003 |url=http://www.rediff.com/news/2003/feb/02karna.htm}}</ref>

As of 2023, approximately 2.7 lakh cases were pending in Karnataka High Court, which is facing a significant backlog. The court has struggled with delays due to challenges in adhering to the Karnataka Civil Procedure Code and delivering timely justice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Ratna |date=2023-08-15 |title=Alarming that over 2.7 lakh cases pending in Karnataka High Court: Chief Justice PB Varale |url=https://www.barandbench.com/news/litigation/alarming-27-lakh-cases-pending-karnataka-high-court-chief-justice-pb-varale |access-date=2024-04-20 |website=Bar and Bench - Indian Legal news |language=en}}</ref>

As of August 2024, approximately 20 Lakh cases are pending across the state, with the High Court serving as the final custodian of justice in these matters.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-08-12 |title=With 16% vacancies, lower courts in Karnataka grapple with 20L+ pending cases |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bengaluru/with-16-vacancies-lower-courts-in-karnataka-grapple-with-20l-pending-cases/articleshow/112453717.cms |access-date=2024-08-19 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{stack|{{portal|India|Law}}}}
* [[High Court of Karnataka (Dharwad Bench)|Dharwad Bench of the High Court]]
* [[High Court of Karnataka (Gulbarga Bench)|Kalaburagi Bench of the High Court]]

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=35em}}

== Further reading ==
* [http://www.ebc-india.com/lawyer/hcourts.htm Jurisdiction and Seats of Indian High Courts]
*[http://pib.nic.in/archieve/lreleng/lyr2003/roct2003/30102003/r301020036.html Judge strength in High Courts increased]
*[http://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/dharwad-gets-a-permanent-hc-bench-113082400443_1.html Dharwada HC circuit bench gets permanent tag – Business Standard News]

== External links ==
* {{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/ABriefSketchOfTheLifeOfRajaDharmaPravinaT.R.A.ThumbooChetty|title=A Brief Sketch of the Life of T. R. A. Thumboo Chetty, C.I.E, Formerly Chief Judge and Officiating Dewan of Mysore. .|last=Royaloo Chetty|first=T.|publisher=Hoe & Co.Madras|year=1909}}
*[http://karnatakajudiciary.kar.nic.in/ Official Karnataka High Court website]
*[http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/luminaries-who-presided-over-the-high-court/article3239060.ece Luminaries who presided over the High Court]

{{High courts of India}}
{{Bangalore topics}}

[[Category:1884 establishments in British India]]
[[Category:British colonial architecture in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Courts and tribunals established in 1884]]
[[Category:Government of Karnataka]]
[[Category:Government buildings completed in 1868]]
[[Category:Karnataka High Court| ]]
[[Category:Neoclassical architecture in India]]

Karnataka High Court - Revision history

RicoSturdivant at 09:21, 3 March 2026