Advocates Association Bengaluru Calls Dharna Over Judge Shortage and Infrastructure Crisis in Karnataka Courts

The Advocates' Association Bengaluru (AAB) has called a dharna for July 16, 2026, before the Golden Jubilee Gate of the Karnataka High Court at 11:30 AM, protesting what it describes as a severe shortage of judges and a persistent infrastructure crisis across court complexes in Bengaluru. The decision was taken during an emergent meeting of the Association's Governing Council on July 13, 2026, following what the AAB termed the administration's "persistent failure" and inability to provide basic amenities across the city's courts.

Nearly 20 Courts Without Judges

The central grievance driving the AAB's protest is the acute shortage of judicial officers across Bengaluru's courts. According to the Association, nearly 20 courts in Bengaluru are currently functioning without presiding judges, creating a backlog crisis that delays the disposal of cases and causes significant hardship to litigants, witnesses, and lawyers alike. The shortage spans multiple court complexes across the city, including the City Civil Court, Magistrate Courts, and other units.

The vacancy crisis is not unique to Bengaluru. Across India, courts have grappled with persistent judicial vacancies that strain the system's capacity to deliver timely justice. However, the AAB contends that the situation in Bengaluru has reached a critical threshold, with the number of courts without judges making it increasingly difficult for the remaining judicial officers to manage their caseloads effectively. The shortage affects every category of litigation, from civil disputes and criminal matters to family law cases and consumer complaints.

Infrastructure Deficiencies: The Elevator Crisis

Beyond the judge shortage, the AAB has highlighted serious infrastructure deficiencies in Bengaluru's court complexes. The most prominent grievance concerns the new annex building of the Magistrate Court, which stands at seven floors but has only a single functional elevator. The Association describes the situation as "pathetic," noting that elderly litigants, lawyers with physical disabilities, and women are forced to climb multiple flights of stairs to reach courtrooms and offices in the upper floors of the building.

The elevator issue is symptomatic of a broader infrastructure deficit. The AAB has raised concerns about the condition of courtrooms, the adequacy of waiting areas for litigants, the availability of functional washroom facilities, and the general maintenance of court premises across all complexes in Bengaluru. The Association argues that these deficiencies compromise the dignity of the judicial process and create unnecessary barriers to access to justice, particularly for vulnerable litigants who must navigate poorly maintained facilities.

Unanswered Correspondence and Administrative Inaction

The AAB's decision to call a dharna was not taken in isolation but followed months of correspondence with the Karnataka High Court administration. According to the Association, grievances regarding all court complexes in Bengaluru, including the City, Magistrate, High Court, and Mayo Hall units, have been formally communicated through letters sent in April 2026 and several earlier correspondences. The Association states that none of these communications have elicited any positive response or corrective action from the administration.

The AAB's letter characterizes the High Court administration's response as reflecting "intransigence" and an "overall cold response" to the legitimate demands of the Bar. The Association notes that repeated reminders sent to the Registry and the Chief Justice of Karnataka have similarly failed to produce any substantive engagement with the issues raised. This pattern of administrative unresponsiveness, the AAB contends, left it with no alternative but to resort to public protest as a means of drawing attention to the crisis.

The Emergent Governing Council Meeting

The formal decision to stage the dharna was taken during an emergent meeting of the AAB's Governing Council on July 13, 2026. The meeting was convened specifically to discuss the deteriorating conditions across Bengaluru's courts and the administration's failure to respond to the Association's grievances. The Governing Council resolved unanimously to call the dharna, requesting all advocates in Bengaluru to assemble before the Golden Jubilee Gate of the Karnataka High Court on Thursday, July 16, at 11:30 AM.

The choice of the Golden Jubilee Gate as the protest venue is symbolically significant, as it represents the principal public-facing entrance to the High Court complex. By staging the protest at this location, the AAB aims to ensure maximum visibility for its grievances and to underscore the connection between the administrative decisions made within the High Court and the conditions experienced by practitioners and litigants in the subordinate courts.

Context: Judicial Infrastructure Challenges Nationwide

The AAB's protest takes place against the backdrop of nationwide challenges in judicial infrastructure and court administration. The Supreme Court has repeatedly emphasized the need for adequate judicial strength and proper infrastructure in subordinate courts. Various High Courts across the country have similarly grappled with the tension between growing caseloads and limited judicial and physical resources. The process of filing complaints against professional misconduct and the procedures for seeking review of judicial orders both depend on a functioning court system with adequate judicial officers and basic infrastructure.

The Karnataka High Court administration has not yet issued a formal response to the AAB's dharna call. The protest is expected to draw significant participation from the Bengaluru Bar and may prompt a renewed dialogue between the judiciary and the legal profession on the systemic issues that have fueled the Association's grievances. The outcome of the dharna and any subsequent negotiations will be watched closely by Bar associations across the country that face similar challenges in their respective jurisdictions.