AP Government Begins Process to Establish High Court Bench in Kurnool

The Andhra Pradesh government has initiated the process to set up a High Court bench in Kurnool, fulfilling a promise made by Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu during a public meeting. The Law Department has taken the first steps with a formal request from the Chief Minister's office to establish the bench.

Law Secretary Sunitha has written to the High Court Registrar General regarding this establishment. In her letter, the Law Secretary requested information about the cases filed in the High Court from the four districts of Rayalaseema: Kurnool, Kadapa, Anantapur, and Chittoor.

The letter specifies that one-third of the cases should originate from these districts to warrant the creation of a bench. Officials noted that the Rayalaseema region has a population of 4.95 crore, accounting for 25 percent of the state's total population of 1.59 crore.

They highlighted that High Court benches have already been established in seven other states across the country. Additionally, they pointed out that transport facilities from the Rayalaseema region to the state capital are inadequate.

Officials have also requested data on cases that have been pending in this region for more than two or three years, as directed by Sunitha, the Secretary of the High Court.

During a recent review meeting on the judiciary, Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu confirmed the state government's commitment to set up a High Court bench in Kurnool. He stated that a resolution regarding this matter would be passed in the cabinet meeting and sent to the central government.

Furthermore, he announced that junior lawyers would receive a monthly honorarium of Rs. 10,000, instructing officials to begin implementing this promise as part of their election manifesto.