High Court of Karnataka: History, Jurisdiction, Benches & Everything You Need to Know

If you have ever stood in front of the red-brick Attara Kacheri building in Bengaluru and wondered, “What exactly goes on in there?” — this article is for you. The High Court of Karnataka is not just a grand old building across from Vidhana Soudha. It is the highest judicial authority in the state, the guardian of your fundamental rights, and the final word on justice before you knock on the Supreme Court’s door.

Let’s walk through its rich history, structure, jurisdiction, and everything in between — in plain language that even a first-year law student’s grandmother would appreciate.

A Brief History of the High Court of Karnataka

The story begins in 1884. The Chief Court of Mysore was created with three judges and designated as the highest court of appeal, reference, and revision in the State of Mysore — the earlier name of Karnataka. Think of it as a small judicial startup that grew into one of India’s most respected high courts.

In 1881, the office of the Chief Judge was created, and the designated person had the utmost authority in the court. In 1930, the court was renamed as the High Court of Mysore, and the Chief Judge was given the new title of Chief Justice. It finally got its present name — the Karnataka High Court — in 1973.

On the reorganization of Karnataka State, all the distinct territorial jurisdictions were merged to form Mysore State, which was renamed Karnataka on 1 November 1973. So the name change was not just administrative paperwork — it reflected an entire state’s identity.

The Attara Kacheri Building: A Near-Death Experience

Here is a story that sounds like a movie plot. In 1982, there was a serious proposal to demolish the Attara Kacheri building. Someone actually wanted to tear down the very building where justice was being served.

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed to save the old building from demolition. This was the first PIL to be filed in the Karnataka High Court — and ironically, the case was heard in the very building that was supposed to be demolished.

In August 1984, judges M. N. Venkatachaliah and Vittal Rao pronounced a judgment that stayed the demolition. The building survived, was renovated in the 1990s, and now stands as a heritage symbol. Justice literally saved itself that day.

Where Is the High Court of Karnataka Located?

The High Court of Karnataka’s principal bench is located in Bengaluru, the capital city of Karnataka. The court operates from a red-painted brick building known as the Attara Kacheri, located opposite the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the Karnataka Legislature.

Additional permanent benches also operate outside Bengaluru to make justice accessible across the state.

Benches of the High Court of Karnataka

Karnataka is a big state. Asking every litigant from North Karnataka to travel all the way to Bengaluru for a hearing would be like asking someone in Kalaburagi to commute to work in Mangaluru every day. Clearly not practical.

The Karnataka High Court has permanent benches at Hubballi-Dharwad (operational on 24 August 2013) and Kalaburagi (operational on 31 August 2013). Prior to the establishment of permanent benches, both cities had circuit benches starting in 2008.

The districts covered by the Hubballi-Dharwad bench include Bagalkot, Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Haveri, Uttara Kannada, and others. The Kalaburagi bench handles districts like Bidar, Vijayapura, Kalaburagi, and Raichur. This bench-wise distribution ensures that citizens in far-flung areas do not have to travel hundreds of kilometres just to attend a court hearing.

Judges of the High Court of Karnataka

The High Court is composed of the Chief Justice of Karnataka and other judges, who are appointed by the President of India. It is not a self-appointed club. The process involves consultation between the President, the Chief Justice of India, and senior Supreme Court judges.

The President appoints the Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI). The CJI is required to consult with two senior-most judges of the Supreme Court. The other judges are appointed by the President by warrant under hand and seal.

Four judges from this High Court, including M. N. Venkatachaliah, went on to become the Chief Justice of India. At least 13 judges were appointed to the Supreme Court of India. That is quite the talent pool.

Jurisdiction of the High Court of Karnataka

What exactly can the High Court of Karnataka hear? A lot, actually. It wears many hats — sometimes original, sometimes appellate, always authoritative.

Original Jurisdiction

The Karnataka High Court acts as the Court of Original Jurisdiction as well as the Court of Appellate Jurisdiction in the state. In its original jurisdiction, it can try original cases, including all crimes punishable with death. It also enjoys original jurisdiction in matters involving revenue and its collection, cases of succession, and divorce.

Appellate Jurisdiction

In its appellate jurisdiction, the Karnataka High Court is empowered to hear appeals from lower courts in cases related to income tax, copyright, sales tax, patent rights, and more. It is the highest court of appeal for any criminal or civil cases in the state.

Supervisory Jurisdiction

The High Court exercises supervisory jurisdiction over lower courts within its territorial jurisdiction. It can issue orders and directions to ensure that lower courts function within the bounds of law.

Writ Jurisdiction

Citizens can approach the High Court directly through writ petitions under Article 226 of the Constitution. This is how you take the government to task — legally, of course. Public Interest Litigations (PILs) also fall under this jurisdiction and have historically played a significant role in shaping public policy in Karnataka.

The Court’s Role in the Judicial Hierarchy

Karnataka’s judicial structure is like a pyramid. At the top sits the High Court. Below it are District Courts, and further below are subordinate courts like Civil Judge Courts, Judicial Magistrate Courts, and Family Courts.

The District Courts in Karnataka fall below the Karnataka High Court in hierarchy and are under its administrative control. The decisions of District Courts are subject to the appellate jurisdiction of the Karnataka High Court. A District and Sessions Judge presides over a District Court, referred to as a District Judge in civil cases and a Sessions Judge in criminal cases.

Appeals from the High Court go directly to the Supreme Court of India — there is no middle ground.

Constitutional Basis of the High Court

The Karnataka High Court was established as a constitutional court under Part VI, Chapter V, Article 214 of the Indian Constitution. Article 214 mandates that every state in India shall have a High Court. Karnataka’s High Court, therefore, is not a courtesy — it is a constitutional right guaranteed to every citizen of the state.

The court also has contempt jurisdiction, meaning it can hold individuals or institutions in contempt if they defy its orders. In short, ignoring the High Court is not a risk worth taking.

Official Website and How to Access the Court

In the digital age, you do not always have to physically visit the court. The official website of the High Court of Karnataka is:

The website allows citizens to track case status, access cause lists, and find important judgments — a genuinely useful tool that saves both time and travel.

FAQ: High Court of Karnataka