1.43 lakh cases settled in 1st National Lok Adalat held across J&K

Srinagar/Jammu, Mar 9: A total of 1.43 lakh cases were settled across Jammu and Kashmir in the first National Lok Adalat of the calendar year 2024 which was inaugurated by Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh in Srinagar and Justice Tashi Rabstan in Reasi on Saturday.

An official spokesman in a statement issued here said that to provide quick, affordable, and hassle-free resolution of disputes as mandated under the Constitution of India, the first National Lok Adalat of 2024 was held throughout J&K.

As per the information received from different Legal Services Institutions of various districts of J&K, of the total 1,52,551 cases taken up by 110 benches in the day-long National Lok Adalat at various courts across J&K, 1,43,406 cases were disposed of as settled and amount of Rs 51,62,62,618 was awarded as compensation and settlement amount in Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, electricity and water bills cases, land acquisition, family matters, cheque dishonour, and bank recovery cases.

During the Lok Adalat, Chief Justice N Kotiswar Singh inspected different benches and interacted with the presiding officers, members of the benches, advocates, and litigants. A couple of matrimonial cases were settled on the spot with the intervention and advice of the Chief Justice. In the afternoon, the Chief Justice visited the District Court Complex Ganderbal to have first-hand information regarding the progress of Lok Adalat.

During the inspection of the Lok Adalat, the Chief Justice found that there were a couple of cases which could be settled amicably by the parties who were adamant on their respective pleas.

He intervened and had ice-breaking interactive session with the parties due to which these cases were amicably settled on the spot.

Interacting with the judicial officers, lawyers, and litigants, the Chief Justice highlighted the benefits of settlement of disputes through ADR mechanisms.

Justice Tashi Rabstan inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at District Court Complex Reasi. With the intervention of Justice Tashi, two matrimonial cases and one MACT case were settled on the spot.

Justice Tashi said that all the stakeholders were obliged under law to work in coordination in organising Lok Adalats to achieve the object of the Legal Services Authorities Act in providing relief to the Legal Aid Seeker.

Justice Tashi also inaugurated a recently revamped Legal Aid Care and Support Centre at Pouni, Reasi.

He said that the second National Lok Adalat is scheduled to be held on May 11, 2024. At Baramulla, the Lok Adalat comprised eight benches with four benches at DLSA Baramulla and a bench each at Sopore, Tangmarg, Uri, and Pattan.

A total of 1103 different cases and matters were taken up in which 774 different cases and matters were amicably settled. An amount of Rs 4,56,26,515 was realised through the settled cases.

At Budgam, the National Lok Adalat a total of 1152 matters were taken up for amicable settlement of which 427 matters were settled while an amount of Rs 4,37,35,701 was realised in settlement.

At Kulgam, five benches were constituted during the National Lok Adalat with three at headquarters and one each at D H Pora and Qazigund while 332 cases were taken up of which 74 were amicably settled while an amount of Rs 48,00,992 was awarded. At Kupwara, 458 cases were taken up at the National Lok Adalat of which 327 cases were disposed of as settled while a sum of Rs 45,23,400 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement.

At Shopian, three benches were constituted during the National Lok Adalat during which 222 cases were taken up of which 83 were settled with a settlement amount of Rs 73,69,418.