SDM Law College

History

Shri Kshetra Dharmasthala is not only a great pilgrimage centre of South India but also a unique embodiment of Dharma. It represents religious tolerance wherein the caste, creed and faith of pilgrims is no bar. The temple complex is also known for its 'Annadana' (Donation of food), 'Vastradana' (Donation of clothes), 'Aushadhana' (Donation of medicines), Rural development and social service.

Dharmastala is also famous for its dispute resolution system. Many family and disputes, which were unable to be resolved even by the courts, have been successfully resolved by Hegdeji, by way of mediation. People in the locality consider him as 'Nadedaduva Manjunatha', i.e. Walking God.

Rev. Dr. D.Veerendra Heggade succeeded to the Heggadeship in 1968. Since then the activities of Kshetra and Shri Dharmasthala Manjunateshwara Educational Trust have increased many-fold. Shri Dharmasthala Manjunatheshwara Law College, is one of the varied educational institutions run by the society. People call Dharmastala as a Court of God. They sing "Illide ellara nyayalaya, bhaktara hrudayada devaalaya", devotees of Dharmastala believe that if they experience any injustice, it would be resolved, if they appeal Lord Manjunatha. Heggadeji started the Law College in the year 1974, with an intention to give legal knowledge to the people of the locality. SDM Law College was initially affiliated to Mysore University^[1] and since 1980, the college had been affiliated to the Mangalore University and currently is under the affiliation of the Karnataka State Law University. The college is recognised by the Bar Council of India.

In 1974 the college commenced under the Mysore University.^[2] The responsibility of starting this new institution was efficiently handled by the then Principal Prof. N. J. Kadamba and in the beginning it started functioning in Besant women's college.

Within a span of 2 years the Management constructed a new building with all the necessary infrastructure at a very prominent location. The new building was inaugurated by the then Judge of Supreme Court of India, Hon'ble Mr. Justice^[3] K.S. Hegde.^[4] The responsibility of starting this new institution was efficiently handled by the then Principal Prof. N. J. Kadamba and in the beginning it started functioning in Besant Women's College.Then Prof Rajendra shetty served as Principal of the college. At Present Prof (Dr) P D Sebastian LLM Phd heading the institution as the Chairman/ Principal

Courses

S.D.M. Law College offers need based curriculum developed by studying trends set by the University Grants Commission (India) and Bar Council of India. It is periodically reviewed and enriched by the feed back of various stake holders. The institution has grown in stature to become one of the premier institution in the State of Karnataka imparting high quality legal education in India, through its various programmes like LL.B^[5] (both 3 years and 5 years), LL.M^[6] in Business and Trade Law, Certificate Course in Cyber Law and Post Graduate Diploma in Labour and Service Laws.^[7] All courses are offered under the banner of Karnataka State Law University,^[8] Hubli.

Facilities

SDM Law college has every potential to be rated as one of the top law colleges in India, with well-trained and highly qualified teaching faculty, vast and technologically updated library^[9] with a good collection of law books and journals,^[10] well-planned academic curriculum, and extensive practical training to the students. Though located in a district center, SDM has reputed visiting faculty. Guest lectures and seminars being organised by SDM have been outstanding.

Ranging from former President of India Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam^[11] to Justice Santosh Hegde,^[12] SDM has provided its students with the opportunity to listen to the most talented brains of India.

Extra Curricular

Be it the law fests or cultural fests, one name that you hear in the locality is SDM Law college, not only by the participation, but by organising different events. Basically SDMLC conducts 3 major events in a year. All India Moot Court Competition, Samskruti - a cultural fest, and Yakshotsava^[13] - a competition for college students in Yakshagana, the performing Art of the coastal karnataka.

SDM has a unique credit in its name, by successfully conducting All India Moot Court Competition,in 2006 October, when there was widespread communal violence and Curfew was declared in the Mangalore city. 26 teams from different parts of the country took part in the event, and the competition was judged by reputed judges of the high court of karnataka, and many well-known advocates. SDM Law College also hosts "Victoria Iuris",^[14] an annual national-level law fest.

SDM sends its budding lawyers to different moot court competitions, including the reputed Bar Council of India moot, every year. Selection process to different moots will be done by conducting a college level moot court competition at the beginning of the academic year. Students of SDM have won several titles in all India moots, and also became successful lawyers in their career.

SDM also has active NSS,^[15] NCC and Rotaract^[16] units, Moot Court soicety^[17] and a Legal Aid Clinic.^[18]

Web site of the SDM Law College is: http://sdmlc.ac.in

Achievements

S.D.M. Law College was rated Top 5 among the unaided private law colleges of India by The Times Of India^[19] SDM students have been grabbing the majority of ranks declared by the mangalore university, every year.^[20] SDM has been reaccredited with A gradeNational Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), which is the highest grading given to the private law colleges in karnataka.^[21]

Alumni

SDM has contributed many legal luminaries, scholars, politicians and academicians to the country. Justice Antony Dominic^[22] of the Kerala High Court,Justice Abdul Nazir of Karnataka High court, Sri Vinaya Kumar sorake Minister, Karnatak government, State Minister in the Government of Karnataka Mr. U.T. Khader^[23][24] are the alumni of SDM Law College.

References