District Judge

The Principal District and Sessions Judge of Dakshina Kannada serves as the highest judicial authority at the district level, operating under the administrative and supervisory jurisdiction of the High Court of Karnataka. Headquartered at the District Court Complex in Mangaluru, this office exercises dual authority: presiding over major civil matters as the District Judge and adjudicating severe criminal offenses (including capital and life-imprisonment cases) as the Sessions Judge. Beyond courtroom adjudication, the Principal District Judge exercises comprehensive administrative control over subordinate courts across taluks such as Puttur, Bantwal, Belthangady, and Sullia, while also heading the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) to facilitate legal aid, mediate disputes via Lok Adalats, and oversee local judicial infrastructure development.