2,39,533 cases settled in 3rd National Lok Adalat held across J&K

Srinagar, Sep 13: Continuing its endeavour to fulfil the constitutional commitment of providing swift, cost-effective, and efficient dispute resolution to the masses in general and the litigant public in particular, the J&K Legal Services Authority organized the 3rd National Lok Adalat of 2025 across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.

As per an official press release, the National Lok Adalat was organised under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority), the leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority. It was organised to promote amicable settlements in a wide range of cases, including MACT claims, matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes, and compoundable criminal offences, said the official press release.

Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority inaugurated the 3rd National Lok Adalat at District Court Complex Kupwara.

Upon his arrival, the Executive Chairman was received by Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Additional District & Sessions Judge NIA Court Kupwara, Iqbal Ahmad Masoodi alongwith the other Judicial Officers of the District Judiciary and other civil administration. To mark the occasion, a ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to the Justice Sanjeev Kumar.

During his visit, Justice Sanjeev Kumar inspected different benches and interacted with the Presiding officers, members of the benches, Advocates and litigants and appreciated the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the Lok Adalat. Several cases were resolved on the spot. As a gesture of timely justice delivery, several MACT compensation cheques were also distributed among eligible claimants on the occasion, providing immediate relief to the beneficiaries.

At the ADR Centre of the Court Complex, Justice Sanjeev Kumar convened an interaction with LADCs and Penal Lawyers. Later in the day, Justice Sanjeev Kumar visited District Jail Kupwara. As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts across the UT of J&K, out of total 3,06, 851 cases taken up by 167 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat, 2,39,533 cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs.50,50,78,932 as compensation/settlement amount in cases like Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, Electricity and Water Bills, Land Acquisition, Family matters, cheque dishonor and Bank Recovery etc.

Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority informed that the 4th National Lok Adalat of the current calendar year shall be held on December 13, 2025 and those litigants who could not get their cases either listed in Saturday’s Lok Adalat or could not settle the same for any reason can avail the opportunity in the next Lok Adalat.

Baramulla:

Around 870 cases were settled with realization of Rs 24757327 in the 3rd National Lok Adalat of the year in District Baramulla on Saturday.

According to a statement issued by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Baramulla the cases were settled with the efforts of judicial officers, lawyers, and parties to the disputes for which 8 benches were constituted-- two at District Headquarters Baramulla, two at Sopore and one each at Pattan, Tangmarg, Boniyar, and Dangiwacha.

Prior to the commencement of proceedings, Justice Vinod Chatterjee Koul, Judge of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Administrative Judge for District Baramulla, arrived at the District Court Complex. He was warmly received by Jawad Ahmad, Principal District & Sessions Judge Baramulla who is also Chairman of District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) along with other judicial officers. Senior officers from the civil and police administration were also present on the occasion. On his arrival, the dignitary was presented with a ceremonial guard of honour.

The National Lok Adalat was formally inaugurated by Justice Koul in the presence of Principal District & Sessions Judge, Baramulla, and other judicial officers. The inaugural session was also attended by the President and members of the Bar Association, Baramulla, Legal Aid Defence Counsels (LADCs), Panel Lawyers, court staff, and Para-Legal Volunteers associated with DLSA Baramulla.

The primary objective of the National Lok Adalat was to ensure expeditious disposal of cases in a cost-effective and amicable manner while simultaneously reducing the pendency of cases in regular courts.

The cases identified and listed for settlement covered a wide range of disputes, including civil matters, compoundable criminal cases, family disputes, recovery matters, motor accident claim cases, and pre- litigation as well as post-litigation disputes across District Baramulla.