High Court of Karnataka · Bengaluru

Bangalore High CourtAdvocate.

Practice before the High Court of Karnataka in writ petitions, bail and anticipatory bail, quashing of criminal proceedings, criminal and civil appeals, commercial appeals, arbitration, PMLA and NDPS matters.

Schedule a consultation Practice areas

Urgent matter? Message on WhatsApp with the key details. Messages are read personally and answered as soon as practicable.

Writ petitions
Bail & anticipatory bail
Section 528 BNSS
Criminal appeals
Commercial appeals
Arbitration
PMLA
NDPS
Contempt
Habeas corpus

Ankur Tripathi, Advocate, Bengaluru — **Ankur Tripathi**Advocate · Bengaluru

Quick enquiry

Tell me about your matter

Send a short summary and I will revert on WhatsApp, phone or email. Documents can follow once we have spoken.

Urgent matter (arrest, notice, or a hearing listed shortly)? Send the key details on WhatsApp or call +91 63622 48179.

Practice areas

Matters before the High Court of Karnataka

Constitutional, criminal, civil, commercial and arbitration jurisdiction of the High Court, prepared and argued with an eye on the record.

Writs and constitutional matters

Writ petitions under Articles 226 and 227

Constitutional challenges to State action, statutory authorities and tribunals before the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →02

Writ appeals before the Division Bench

Appeals against orders of a Single Judge in writ petitions, and opposing such appeals, before a Division Bench of the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →03

Habeas corpus and preventive detention

Habeas corpus petitions against unlawful detention and challenges to preventive detention orders before the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →04

Public interest litigation

Public interest petitions on civic, environmental and governance issues, and defence of such petitions, before the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →05

Contempt of court petitions

Civil and criminal contempt petitions for non-compliance with orders of the High Court of Karnataka, and defence against them.

Learn more →06

Writs against authorities: tax, GST and regulatory action

Writ petitions challenging notices, assessments, attachments, licences and orders of tax and regulatory authorities.

Learn more →07

Land, revenue and municipal matters

Writ petitions and appeals on land acquisition, revenue records, conversion, building approvals and municipal action.

Learn more →08

Banking, recovery and SARFAESI writs

Writ petitions by borrowers, guarantors and auction purchasers against bank action, including SARFAESI measures and fraud classification.

Learn more →

Criminal petitions

Quashing of FIRs and criminal proceedings

Petitions under Section 528 of the BNSS to quash FIRs, complaints, charge-sheets and cognizance orders that amount to an abuse of process.

Learn more →10

Anticipatory bail in the High Court

Petitions under Section 482 of the BNSS for protection from arrest, including after a Sessions Court has declined relief.

Learn more →11

Bail and anticipatory bail

Regular and anticipatory bail applications before the High Court of Karnataka and the Sessions Courts, including cases under special statutes.

Learn more →12

Cancellation and modification of bail

Applications to cancel bail granted to an accused, and to relax or modify bail conditions, before the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →13

Criminal appeals and revisions

Appeals against conviction, acquittal and sentence, and revisions against orders of Magistrates and Sessions Courts.

Learn more →14

NDPS petitions in the High Court

Bail, quashing and related petitions under the NDPS Act before the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →15

PMLA and economic offence petitions

Bail, quashing and writ petitions arising from Enforcement Directorate and economic offence investigations.

Learn more →16

Cheque dishonour petitions (NI Act)

Petitions to quash Section 138 complaints, challenge summoning orders and sentences, and settle cheque dishonour cases in the High Court.

Learn more →17

Look Out Circulars and passport matters

Writ petitions against Look Out Circulars, impounding or revocation of passports, and restrictions on travel.

Learn more →18

Freezing of bank accounts and seizure of property

Petitions to defreeze bank accounts and recover property seized by the police, the Enforcement Directorate and tax authorities.

Learn more →19

Police inaction and fair investigation petitions

Petitions to compel registration of FIRs, challenge unfair investigation, and seek fresh or independent investigation in appropriate cases.

Learn more →

Civil, commercial and arbitration matters

Regular first appeals and second appeals

Appeals against decrees of civil courts under Sections 96 and 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, for appellants and respondents.

Learn more →21

Civil revision petitions and Article 227 petitions

Challenges to interlocutory and final orders of civil courts, including rent revision petitions, through revision and supervisory jurisdiction.

Learn more →22

Commercial appeals

Appeals under Section 13 of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 against judgments and orders in commercial disputes.

Learn more →23

Arbitration petitions and appeals

Appointment of arbitrators under Section 11 and appeals under Section 37 of the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.

Learn more →24

RERA appeals and writs in the High Court

Appeals from the Karnataka Real Estate Appellate Tribunal and writ petitions to enforce RERA orders and challenge authorities.

Learn more →25

Review, recall and rectification of orders

Review petitions, recall of ex parte and dismissal orders, and correction of errors in orders of the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →26

Interim relief, stay and urgent hearings

Stay orders, interim injunctions, caveats and urgent mentioning in the High Court of Karnataka.

Learn more →

Overview

Practising before the High Court of Karnataka

The High Court of Karnataka has its principal seat in Bengaluru, with permanent benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi. It hears constitutional petitions, criminal and civil appeals, bail and quashing petitions, commercial and arbitration matters, and appeals from tribunals. Most of its work is decided on the written record, so preparation counts for more than rhetoric.

This website sets out the types of matters handled before the Court and explains how they work.

Writs and constitutional matters

Petitions under Articles 226 and 227 challenge State action, tax and regulatory orders, land and municipal decisions, and orders of tribunals. See writ petitions, writ appeals, habeas corpus, contempt petitions and writs against tax and regulatory authorities.

Criminal petitions

The Court hears bail and anticipatory bail, petitions to quash FIRs under Section 528 of the BNSS, criminal appeals and revisions, and matters under special statutes such as the NDPS Act, the PMLA and the Negotiable Instruments Act. It also hears challenges to Look Out Circulars and to the freezing of bank accounts.

Civil, commercial and arbitration matters

Civil decrees are challenged by first and second appeals, and many interim orders by revision petitions. Commercial disputes follow the commercial appeals route, and arbitration matters reach the Court through Section 11 petitions and Section 37 appeals.

Urgent matters

Where liberty or property is at immediate risk, interim relief and urgent mentioning can be sought. Please contact the office early, with the order or notice in hand.

Forums

Forums connected with the High Court

Most matters reach the High Court from the courts and tribunals below, or go to them from the High Court.

High Court of Karnataka, Bengaluru

Writ petitions, writ appeals, criminal petitions, bail and anticipatory bail, quashing, criminal and civil appeals and revisions, commercial appeals, arbitration matters and contempt.

Sessions and special courts

Bail, trial and appeal courts below the High Court, including special courts at Bengaluru.

City Civil Court Complex and Commercial Courts

Civil and commercial suits whose orders are challenged in revision or appeal before the High Court.

Mayo Hall Court Complex

City civil and criminal courts, including Magistrate courts, whose proceedings are the subject of many quashing and revision petitions.

NCLT Bengaluru Bench

Company and insolvency matters, with the High Court's writ jurisdiction in the limited cases where it applies.

K-RERA and REAT

RERA orders and appeals; writ petitions to enforce or challenge them lie before the High Court.

Debts Recovery Tribunals

Recovery and SARFAESI matters, with writ petitions where the tribunal or the bank has acted without jurisdiction.

Arbitral tribunals

Awards challenged and enforced in court, and appeals under Section 37 of the Arbitration Act.

Approach

How matters are approached

The record decides

High Court petitions are won or lost on the pleadings and documents annexed. Drafting and annexures get the time they deserve.

Maintainability first

Alternative remedies, delay and jurisdiction are examined at the outset so that effort goes into petitions that can succeed.

Candid advice

Clients are told plainly what a petition can and cannot achieve, and what it is likely to involve in time and cost.

Process

How we work

Three steps, in plain terms, from the first message to the hearing.

Understand

Share the facts and the documents you hold, by WhatsApp, phone or at the office on Mission Road. You get a frank first view of your options, the risks and the likely timeline.

Plan

A clear strategy on forum, remedy, documents needed, timelines and fees, agreed with you before anything is filed.

Act

Drafting, filing and appearance before the court or tribunal, with regular updates, and a view on settlement wherever it makes sense.

Your advocate

Ankur Tripathi, Advocate

Ankur Tripathi is a Bengaluru advocate. His litigation practice includes writ, criminal, civil and commercial matters before the High Court of Karnataka.

Read the full profile →

ProfessionAdvocate, Bengaluru
EducationBBA LLB, Symbiosis Law School, Pune
ForumsHigh Court of Karnataka, civil and commercial courts, criminal courts, RERA and Appellate Tribunal, arbitral tribunals, consumer commissions

Latest

High Court insights

Plain-language explainers on High Court practice and procedure, published regularly.

Bail

Bail in Karnataka: High Court or Sessions Court?

How regular and anticipatory bail work under the BNSS, and how to think about approaching the Sessions Court or the High Court of Karnataka.

26 October 2026 · 2 min read Criminal petitions

Bank account frozen by the police? Your options before the Karnataka High Court

How police freezing of bank accounts works under Section 106 BNSS, what the law requires and how to challenge it.

26 October 2026 · 2 min read Criminal petitions

Challenging a Look Out Circular (LOC) in the Karnataka High Court

What a Look Out Circular is, why people are stopped at the airport, and how a writ petition in the Karnataka High Court can challenge it.

26 October 2026 · 2 min read

All articles

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a writ petition and when can I file one in the Karnataka High Court?

A writ petition under Article 226 asks the High Court to direct, restrain or review action by the State or other public authorities, or to enforce rights. It is generally not available where an effective alternative remedy exists, though courts recognise exceptions such as breach of natural justice or lack of jurisdiction.

Can the High Court quash an FIR?

Yes. Under Section 528 of the BNSS, the High Court can quash an FIR or criminal proceeding to prevent abuse of the process of the court or to secure the ends of justice. The power is used sparingly and depends on the facts and documents.

Should I apply for bail in the Sessions Court or the High Court?

Both have powers to grant bail. The usual practice is to approach the Sessions Court first, and the High Court after refusal or in exceptional circumstances. The right forum depends on the offence and the stage of the case.

What is anticipatory bail?

Anticipatory bail is a direction that a person apprehending arrest in a non-bailable offence be released on bail if arrested. It is provided under Section 482 of the BNSS and may carry conditions.

Can I appeal against an order passed by a Single Judge?

In writ petitions, an appeal lies to a Division Bench under the Karnataka High Court Act, 1961, within a short period. Other orders have their own appeal routes.

What is the time limit for a commercial appeal?

An appeal under Section 13 of the Commercial Courts Act, 2015 must generally be filed within sixty days of the judgment or order.

How do I challenge a Look Out Circular?

A writ petition can be filed in the High Court. The Court examines whether the circular was issued in line with the government's guidelines and whether it unjustifiably restricts the person's liberty.

What if my bank account has been frozen during an investigation?

The freezing can be challenged before the Magistrate or by a petition in the High Court. The seizure must be reported to the Magistrate, and courts examine whether freezing is justified and proportionate.

What is the time limit for contempt of court proceedings?

The Contempt of Courts Act, 1971 bars initiating contempt proceedings after one year from the date of the alleged contempt.

Can the High Court hear NDPS and PMLA matters?

Yes. The High Court hears bail, quashing, appeal and habeas corpus petitions arising from these statutes, which have their own stricter procedures and standards.

Where is the High Court of Karnataka located?

The principal seat is in Bengaluru. The High Court also has permanent benches at Dharwad and Kalaburagi.

How long does a High Court matter take?

It varies widely. Urgent interim hearings can happen quickly, while final disposal of appeals and petitions can take longer, depending on the stage, the nature of the case and the Court's listing.

What documents are needed for a High Court bail or quashing petition?

The FIR or complaint, the charge-sheet if filed, the orders of the courts below, remand and arrest papers where relevant, identity and address documents, and the records that show the true nature of the dispute.

What replaced Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure?

Section 528 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, which came into force on 1 July 2024. It preserves the High Court's inherent power to prevent abuse of process and to secure the ends of justice.

How are urgent matters taken up in the High Court?

Urgent matters can be mentioned before the Bench with a memo setting out the urgency, such as a pending arrest, demolition or coercive recovery. The court decides whether to list the matter at once.

What is a caveat petition?

A caveat under Section 148A of the Code of Civil Procedure asks the court to give you notice before passing any order in a matter the other side may bring. It stays in force for 90 days and can be renewed.

Can I file a petition in the High Court myself?

A party can appear in person, but High Court practice and procedure are technical. A properly drafted petition with the right relief and records makes a large difference.

How do I choose between a writ petition and a civil suit?

A writ lies against the State or a public authority for illegal or arbitrary action, and the High Court expects an effective alternative remedy to be used first. A suit is the route for private disputes.

Quick enquiry

Speak to Ankur Tripathi

Share a short summary of your matter and the documents you hold. Messages are read personally.

Urgent matter (arrest, notice, or a hearing listed shortly)? Send the key details on WhatsApp or call +91 63622 48179.