Karnataka High Court relocation: Government eyes Bengaluru Turf Club site for new complex

A division bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K S Hemalekha orally observed that the proposed building should cater to the needs for at least the next 30 to 50 years.

Shetty then stated that existing usage space and future requirements would be considered. He also pointed out that several legal hurdles, such as exempting the area regarding FAR (Floor Area Ratio), which determines how much floor construction can be carried out, are also being thought. He then sought a week or ten days more time to place on record more details.

The bench agreed to it and has posted the matter for hearing on July 13.

On October 26 last year, Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who was then the deputy chief minister had said during a ‘Walk With Bengaluru’ citizen outreach event held at Cubbon Park that the state government is exploring the possibility of relocating the high court to a new and larger site.

The petition also seeks a direction to the respondents to provide funds from the departments concerned to complete the proposed high court building.

The present High Court complex is called ‘Attara Kacheri’ and is located inside the lawns of Cubbon Park, opposite Vidhana Soudha, which houses the State Legislature, and the Secretariat.

The Attara Kacheri originally comprised the general and revenue secretariat of the erstwhile Mysore state. It was renamed the High Court of Mysore in 1929. The administrative offices of the state also functioned in the Attara Kacheri till 1956, when they were shifted to Vidhana Soudha.