'Permanent circuit benches under consideration'

Speaking to reporters here, Moily said proposals in this regard have been received from both the state government and the HC and added that they would be decided as per the norms. The minister said the Gulbarga bench was facing paucity of cases. There was a suggestion of bringing in Bellary and Koppal districts under this bench but the two districts want their jurisdiction to be continued under the Dharwad bench. “However, we will not close down the Gulbarga bench nor is there any such proposal before us. There is no need for anybody to worry about it”.

On the demand for establishment of a bench of Supreme Court in South India, Moily said the Centre was not considering the proposal which has been moved by Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments.