In 1956, following the shifting of the legislature and the secretariat to the newly built Vidhana Soudha facing Attara Kacheri, the High Court took complete occupancy of the building.
Published Oct 26, 2025 | 7:52 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 26, 2025 | 7:52 PM
Attara Kacheri, West façade, facing Vidhana Soudha.
Synopsis: Karnataka is considering relocating the state High Court from the historic Attara Kacheri in Cubbon Park due to space constraints, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar said, noting that lawyers and the Chief Justice have requested 15–20 acres for a new site. While the government seeks a suitable location within the city, suggestions such as the Race Course have emerged as potential options.
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has said the state is considering a proposal to relocate the High Court from its current location at Attara Kacheri in Cubbon Park, opposite Vidhana Soudha.
“The Chief Justice and several lawyers had requested that 15-20 acres of land be given for the relocation of the High Court. This will be discussed with the government as well. We will take the court staff into confidence and examine where space can be found nearby,” Shivakumar told reporters on the sidelines of his “walk with Bengaluru” programme in Cubbon Park on the morning of Thursday, 26 October.
He added that the proposal was being considered after lawyers raised concerns about the lack of space at the existing premises.
“Since it is an old historical building, nothing can be done about it. But the space is small” – DK Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister.
Attara Kacheri, meaning “eighteen offices or departments” in Hindustani, is a historical neoclassical structure completed in 1868. It originally housed the general and revenue secretariat of the erstwhile Mysore State and later accommodated the state legislature and the High Court.
Attara Kacheri in the early 1900s. (Wikimedia Commons)
In 1956, following the shifting of the legislature and the secretariat to the newly built Vidhana Soudha facing Attara Kacheri, the High Court took complete occupancy of the building.
Acknowledging the heritage status of the structure, Shivakumar said there is little that can be done to manage the space constraints.
“Since it is an old historical building, nothing can be done about it. But the space is small,” he said, adding that the court also cannot be shifted outside the city and that work is underway to find a suitable place for relocation.
“A few lawyers met and suggested using the Race Course space. I have told them to think about it later because there are some legal complications,” he said.
In a related development, Shivakumar also announced a ₹5-crore grant from the Bengaluru Development Authority (BDA) for developing and upgrading Cubbon Park.
“The government will not allow any kind of construction work in the premises of this park. We will do what needs to be done to protect it,” he said.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
