Dharwad Advocates Call for Decentralization of Central Tribunals to Enhance Justice Access in North Karnataka
The High Court Bench Advocates' Association, Dharwad, has made a compelling appeal to the Union government, urging the decentralization of central tribunals and the establishment of their permanent benches at the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka High Court. This initiative aims to provide equitable access to justice for the people of North Karnataka, addressing long-standing logistical and financial challenges faced by litigants and legal professionals across the region.
Charter of Demands Submitted to Union Minister
In a detailed charter of demands submitted to Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, association president BD Hiremath emphasized that this appeal reflects the collective aspirations of litigants, legal professionals, and stakeholders spanning 12 districts in North Karnataka. Hiremath described Dharwad as the long-recognized "Judicial Capital" of the region, noting that the Dharwad Bench, established in 2013, currently serves eight key districts: Bagalkot, Belagavi, Ballari, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Koppal, and Uttara Kannada.
Current Challenges and Constitutional Concerns
Despite this existing infrastructure, litigants are forced to travel nearly 430 kilometers to Bengaluru for matters under various central tribunals. Hiremath argued that this situation defeats the principle of ‘justice at the doorstep’ and undermines the constitutional mandate of equal access to justice under Article 39A. The association highlighted that North Karnataka has a significant concentration of central government employees from departments such as Railways, posts, BSNL, and defense establishments. Currently, all service-related grievances are handled by the Central Administrative Tribunal in Bengaluru, compelling employees to undertake long and expensive journeys, which hampers timely resolution of disputes.
Specific Tribunal Bench Demands
The advocates' body has put forth several specific demands to address these issues:
- Railway Claims Tribunal Bench: Given that Hubballi-Dharwad serves as the headquarters of the South Western Railway, Hiremath argued it is "logically inconsistent" for Railway claims and disputes to be adjudicated only in Bengaluru. Establishing a bench in Dharwad would streamline processes and reduce travel burdens.
- National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) Bench: Citing rapid industrial growth in the Hubballi-Dharwad region and the emerging Belagavi-Dharwad industrial corridor, the association called for an NCLT bench in Dharwad. This would significantly aid corporate dispute resolution and insolvency matters, supporting local economic development.
- GST Appellate Tribunal Area Bench: While the state bench of the GST Appellate Tribunal is operational in Bengaluru, the volume of commercial activity in North Karnataka justifies setting up an area bench in Dharwad. This move would prevent a growing backlog of tax appeals and enhance efficiency in tax dispute resolution.
Infrastructure and Legal Talent Readiness
Highlighting Dharwad's preparedness, Hiremath noted that the state government has already provided world-class infrastructure for the high court bench. Additionally, the presence of the Karnataka State Law University ensures a steady pool of legal talent to support the functioning of new tribunals. The memorandum also underlined the need for specialized forums to handle debt recovery and income tax appeals, given the presence of major educational institutions, regional banking headquarters, and commercial enterprises in the twin cities of Hubballi-Dharwad.
Call for Government Action
The association has urged the Union government to exercise its powers under the respective parent acts to notify Dharwad as a permanent seat for these central tribunal benches. Such a move, they argue, would not only ease the burden on Bengaluru but also deliver affordable and timely justice to the people of North Karnataka, aligning with broader goals of judicial accessibility and regional development.
