Srinagar: In pursuance to the National Legal Service Authority calendar and under the directions of J&K Legal Services Authority, the 4th National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday across all the districts of Kashmir, by the respective District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), for amicable settlement of cases of different nature.
The event was organized under the guidance of Hon’ble Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, the Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in- Chief) J&K Legal Services Authority and Justice Tashi Rabstan, Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority.
The National Lok Adalat, a unique initiative by the Government of India, is a Justice Dispensation Mechanism that focuses on promoting alternative dispute resolution methods to reduce the load on the regular court system.
The matters placed before the benches included Cases for settlement included cases of Civil, Criminal Compoundable, Cheque bounce, Traffic Challans, Bank matters, MACT, Land Compensation, Matrimonial, Electricity and Pre-litigation matters. Further, Pre-litigation matters were taken up, which included PDD matters, bank recovery matters, PHE cases, Social Welfare Schemes, matrimonial disputes, land disputes, BSNL cases, municipality cases, revenue matters, social welfare and Labour cases, etc.
At Baramulla, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, Hon’ble High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, who is also administrative Judge of Baramulla, visited Baramulla and inaugurated 4th National Lok Adalat at District Court Complex here. The National Lok Adalat was organized by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Baramulla.
Deputy Commissioner Baramulla, Dr. Syed Sehrish Asgar; Principal District and Sessions Judge, Mohammad Ashraf Malik; SSP Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure and others were present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Justice Sanjeev Kumar underscored Lok Adalat’s significance in resolving disputes outside conventional court syste The Hon’ble Justice urged the Legal Services fraternity to address substantial, long-pending cases within Lok Adalats that have been lingering in courts for long periods.
Sanjeev Kumar further encouraged exploring settlements involving relevant departments to expedite resolutions and reduce legal procedures.
During the event, the Hon’ble Justice handed over cheques worth Rs. 31 lakhs to the victims who have suffered loss or injury as a result of an offence and require rehabilitation.
Earlier, the Hon’ble Justice inaugurated the Post office Branch at Court Complex Baramulla. He also inspected different benches of the National Lok Adalat to get first-hand information about the cases being taken up and disposed-off.
A total of 9 benches were constituted in which a number of 800 cases were taken up, out of which 500 cases were amicably settled.
Later, the Hon’ble Justice Sanjeev Kumar interacted with Bar Association Baramulla and visited Sub Judge Court Pattan. Bar Association members put forth their grievances to the Hon’ble Justice who assured them of prompt redressal to their issues at hand.
At Srinagar, the National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Jawad Ahmed, Chairman District Legal Services Authority Srinagar at District Court Complex Srinagar in presence of Judicial Officers of District Srinagar. Each Court had identified cases for the 4th National Lok Adalat beforehand and the same were placed before 14 different benches constituted by DLSA Srinagar including three Special benches for settlement of revenue matters, social, welfare matters and Labour cases. In Motor Vehicle accident related cases Lok- Adalat bench of Jeema Bashir and Aarti Mohan awarded compensation to the tune of Rs. 2,58,75,000, in bank cases, bench no 3 of Arvind Sharma and Renu Dogra awarded settlement amount of rupees Rs.6,77,42,494 and in bench no 7 Fozia Paul (City Judge) Srinagar and Shafeeq Ahmad Malik (1st Additional Munsiff) Srinagar awarded settlement amount of Rs 8,23,50,000. Nonetheless, a total number of 58811 matters were taken up for their amicable settlement, out of which 52774 matters were settled. Besides, an amount of Rs.18,42,60,478 was realized as the settlement amount.
At Budgam, the National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman District Legal Services Authority) Budgam, at District Court Complex Budgam at 10:30 A.M. The 4th National Lok Adalat was organized in District Court Complex Budgam and Taluka Courts of the District. Each Court had identified cases for Lok Adalat beforehand and same were placed before 07 different benches constituted by DLSA Budgam for their settlement in National Lok Adalat. Two special benches were constituted for labour and social welfare matters. Nonetheless, a total number of 788 matters were taken up for their amicable settlement, out of which 449 matters were settled. Besides, an amount of Rs.9,13,53,115 was realized in total in the settlement.
At Ganderbal, the National Lok-Adalat was held under the chairmanship of Ritesh Kumar Dubey, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Ganderbal. The event aimed to provide speedy justice and alleviate the backlog of pending cases in the district. The event witnessed active participation from the legal fraternity, along with a significant number of litigants and their counsels. Speaking on the conclusion of 4th National Lok Adalat, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Ganderbal expressed his satisfaction with the outcome of the National Lok Adalat and commended the efforts of DLSA Ganderbal and its dedicated team. National Lok-Adalat at District Ganderbal constituted of three benches for the amicable settlement of cases. Overall 1279 number of cases were taken up for settlement out of which 1199 cases were amicably settled compromised on spot and Rs. 1,13,79,662 was awarded as settlement amount in Bank recovery matters, Public Utility matters, 138 NI Act Cases, Civil, MACT Cases and other matters.
At Anantnag, In a remarkable display of collective dedication to justice, the 4th National Lok-Adalat was successfully organized in the District Court and other subordinate courts of District Anantnag under the chairmanship of Jaffer Hussain Beigh, Principal District Judge, Anantnag. The event, marked by the diligent efforts of all presiding officers across the courts, received tremendous support from learned advocates, officers of various government departments, insurance companies, and banking institutions. A total of 1152 cases were taken up by 07 benches in the district during the Lok-Adalat proceedings out of which 302 cases were successfully settled. The settlement amount awarded in all cases reached an impressive figure of Rs. 2,49,97,385. This substantial amount includes an award of Rs. 68,87,000 in 05 MACT cases, emphasizing the significant impact of the Lok-Adalat in providing timely and effective resolutions.
At Pulwama, the National Lok Adalat was organized in District Court Complex Pulwama under the chairmanship of Naseer Ahmad Dar Chairman District Legal Service Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Pulwama. The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by the Chairman District Legal Service Authority Pulwama in presence of all judicial officers & bar members of District Court Pulwama. A total of 06 benches were constituted out of which 03 benches were constituted for holding of National Lok Adalat at District headquarters & other three benches at Tehsil Levels of the District Pulwama. The constitutes benches took up 386 cases of different nature out of which 218 cases were amicably settled and an amount of Rs 1,29,10,820 was realized and an amount of Rs 98,80,000 has been settled in MACT, Bank recovery & 138 N.I. Act Cases with the efforts of the presiding officers as well as by the cooperation of Bar members of the respective Courts.
At Kulgam, the National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday in District Court Complex Kulgam and other Taluka Courts of District Kulgam under the chairmanship of Mohammad Ashraf Bhat (Pr. District and Session Judge Kulgam/Chairman District Legal Services Authority Kulgam). The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Chairman District Legal Services Authority Kulgam. Six benches were constituted, 04 at Head quarter & 01 each at D.H.Pora and QaziguSnd. In the said National Lok Adalat, 506 cases were taken up, out of which 253 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs. 46,83,870 was realized in different cases.
At Shopian, the 4th National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday in the court premises of District Court Complex Shopian under the chairmanship of Riaz-Ul-Haq Mirza, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Principal District & Session Judge) Shopian. For the said National Lok Adalat 04 Benches were constituted by the DLSA. In the Said National Lok Adalat, besides Advocates, litigants and other prominent citizens also participated. A total of 176 cases of different nature were taken up, out of which 146 cases were settled amicably with a settlement amount Rs.24,54,190.
At Bandipora, the Lok Adalat was held under the supervision of Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Pr. District & Session Judge Bandipora, Amit Sharma. A total of 3 Benches were constituted for the said Lok Adalat consisting of Presiding Officers and Other Members for amicable settlement/ compromise of the referred cases. In the said Lok Adalat total No. of 436 cases were taken up by the Benches and out of which 208 cases were settled as disposed. A total sum of 40,31,800 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement during the said Lok Adalat.
