‘Cabinet decision on Bangalore Turf Club land for High Court this month’

Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar announced that the State Cabinet will decide later this month on allocating land for the new building of the High Court of Karnataka “on the Race Course premises”. He was speaking at the foundation stone laying ceremony of the NLSIU South Campus at Nagarbhavi in Bengaluru on Saturday. 

“I have been receiving requests from the Chief Justice of the High Court of Karnataka for alternate building. It is the only High Court in India that is facing the legislature house. So we are planning for a new building. We will speed up the process of allocation of land. It will be build on 12-15 acres of land,” he said, adding he wished Justice Surya Kant will also lay the foundation stone for the new building by the end of his tenure.

Filing an affidavit in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL), the Karnataka Government had in July, 2026, informed the High Court that it will soon pass a resolution allocating the BTC land for construction of a new high court building. Earlier in the year, in February, 2026, the cabinet had approved the relocation plan of BTC races to Kunigal Stud Farm in Tumakuru.  BTC has also agreed to shift its operations, racing out of the city, sources said. 

NLSIU South campus 

The Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for the new NLSIU South Campus which will be built on 7 acres of land allotted by the Karnataka Government. This will include 2000 student rooms and 90 units of faculty and staff residences. NLSIU also plans to build a new auditorium, student centre and research facilities on the existing campus site. 

Meanwhile Mr. Shivakumar announced that the government will start a coaching institute to provide training for judicial service examinations to law graduates and offer continuing education for young lawyers. He said while there were many coaching institutes for other entrance exams, there were none for law aspirants. 

Never stop questioning, CM tells law students 

Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar exhorted students graduating out of the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru, to “never stop questioning”, in the presence of the Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, on October 17, 2026, Saturday. He warned that if students don’t question then it will pave an easy way for people in power or others to decide for them. 

“To protect democratic institutions, uphold constitutional values, and ensure justice for every citizen—never stop questioning, never compromise on your values, and never forget the people,” he said. “A robust democracy must provide citizens with the opportunity to question the government. At a time when democratic institutions across the world are facing challenges, young lawyers and policymakers bear a special responsibility to protect the Constitution. A strong democracy is not one where everyone agrees with the government; rather, a truly robust democracy is one where every citizen possesses the freedom to question the government,” he added. 

Law student awarded 15 gold medals

Manhar Bansal, a BA LLB (Hons) graduate received 15 gold medals for his achievements in academics at NLSIU. He is also the best Outgoing Undergraduate Student and secured first rank in the University and in various individual subjects. In November 2025, he was awarded the Rhodes Scholarship for India 2026 on which he is currently pursuing Master of Studies in Comparative Literature and Critical Translation at Oxford University in the UK.

“I am originally from Punjab and was always fascinated with the humanities and the social sciences and therefore chose to pursue the law. The days at NLSIU were the most transformational years of my academic as well as personal life. I was part of an intellectual community of faculty and peers that pushed me to think fearlessly. After my time at Oxford, I intend to pursue a PhD in Comparative Literature and work towards a public-facing academic career,” he said.

Assam CM in the audience

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was among the audience at the NLSIU Bengaluru’s convocation on Saturday. His son Nandil Biswa Sarma was among the law graduates to receive degree on the convocation ceremony. Mr. Sarma and his family was present during the ceremony to see his son receive degree from CJI Surya Kant.