Srinagar: Continuing its endeavor to fulfill constitutional commitment of ensuring swift, cost-effective and providing efficient dispute resolution to the masses in general and litigant public in particular, the J&K Legal Services Authority under the patronage of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh(Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority) and dynamic mentorship of Justice TashiRabstan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority as also under the able guidance of Justice Sindhu Sharma, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee, on Saturday organized 2nd National LokAdalat of the year 2024 across the Jammu & Kashmir to boost amicable settlements amongst the parties in cases including MACT, Matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce under Negotiable Instrument Act, Money recovery, Commercial disputes and Criminal Cases of compoundable nature.
In order to ensure amicable settlement of maximum disputes, Pre-lokadalat sittings and pre-counselling sessions were organized well before the date of National LokAdalat so that the parties get ample opportunity to engage in dialogue with their opponents to arrive at a consensus to resolve the dispute permanently. Besides, webinars and virtual meetings were also organized to sensitize the stakeholders, officers of Legal Services Institutions, LADCs, Panel Lawyers, PLVs and all those who are related in one way or the other in enhancing the Alternate Dispute Resolution, regarding the importance of LokAdalat and to persuade the parties to take maximum benefit out of it.
As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts of J&K, out of total 1,28,959 cases taken up by 138 Benches in the day long National LokAdalat across the J&K of J&K, 1,22,549cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs.42,73,80,904 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.
Talking to reporters Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Amit Kumar Gupta appreciated the efforts of all the Judicial Officers, Secretaries DLSA’s, Advocates, staff of the district and tehsil courts as well as Legal Services Institutions as also litigants for their whole hearted participation in the National LokAdalat. He further said that flocking of litigants for participation in large number for amicable settlement of huge number of cases in Saturday’s lokAdalat is a testimony to the fact that the common masses want resolution of their disputes pending as well as at pre-litigation state through the medium of Alternate Dispute Resolution. So, he urged all the Stakeholders to come forward and take maximum benefit of such initiatives of the NALSA. He also informed that the 3rd National LokAdalat of the current calendar year shall be held on September 14, 2024 and those litigants who could not get their cases either listed in Saturday’s lokadalat or could not settle the same for any reason can avail the opportunity in the next LokAdalat.
In a special message, the Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority informed all the stakeholders that the Supreme Court of India has decided to convene a Special LokAdalatw.e.f July 29, 2024 to August 03, 2024 of the cases pending before it and thus Gupta appealed all the stakeholders not to miss the opportunity and approach nearest Legal Services Office with the detail of cases, so that the parties can be facilitated in amicable settlement of disputes by organizing pre-lokAdalat sessions where they can participate either physically or virtually, as per their convenience.
2nd National LokAdalat held across Kashmir
Srinagar : In pursuance to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) calendar, and under the directions of Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, the 2nd National LokAdalat was on Saturday held across all the districts of Kashmir by the respective District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) for amicable settlement of cases of different nature.
The LokAdalat was held under the insightful directions of Justice N. Kotiswar Singh, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron in Chief), J&K Legal Services Authority, Justice TashiRabstan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority. LokAdalat is an alternative dispute redressal mechanism where disputes and cases pending in courts of law or at the pre-litigation stage are settled or compromised amicably to reduce the load on the regular court system. The matters placed before the benches included cases of Civil, Criminal Compoundable, Cheque bounce, 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, Labour, Revenue, Matrimonial disputes, land disputes, BSNL cases, municipality cases and other Government schemes etc.
At Srinagar, the 2nd National LokAdalat was organized by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar at District Court Complex Mominabad Srinagar, under the direction and supervision of Jawad Ahmed, Chairman of the DLSA (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Srinagar.To facilitate the amicable settlement of cases, 12 benches were constituted for the said 2nd National LokAdalat, Overall 62176 cases were taken up for settlement out of which 60374 cases were amicably settled & Rs.4,41,33,766 was awarded as settlement amount.In Motor Accident related cases, Bench No 1 headed by Jeema Bashir (Presiding Officer, MACT Court) Srinagar, and Khurshid-Ul-Islam (Ist Additional District & Sessions Judge), Srinagar had taken up 47 cases for settlement out of which 20 cases were amicably settled and Rs.1,81,56,343 was awarded as settlement amount and Bench No. 4 headed by Arvind Sharma (Addl District & Sessions Judge, Bank Cases) Srinagar and Arti Mohan (Presiding Officer POCSO Court) Srinagar, had taken 27 cases for settlement out of which 23 cases were amicably settled and Rs. 68,49,125 was awarded as settlement amount. The Chairman DLSA Srinagar distributed compensation cheques to the tune of Rs. 8,50,000 among the survivors of violence sanctioned by J&K Legal Services Authority.
At Anantnag, the 2nd National LokAdalat was held on Saturday in District Court Complex Anantnag and other Taluka Courts of District Anantnagunder the Chairmanship of JaffarHussainBeigh, Chairman, DLSA (Principal District & Sessions Judge), Anantnag and under the Supervision of TabassumQadirParray, Secretary DLSA, Anantnag. For amicable settlement of the cases, 02 benches were constituted at DLSA Anantnag, 01 Bench at TLSC Bijbehara, 01 Bench at TLSC Duru, 01 Bench at TLSC Vailoo, 01 Bench at TLSC Shangus and 01 Bench at TLSC Ashmuqam A.The constituted 07 bences took up a total of 1347 cases in which 919 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs. 98,82,093 was realized in different cases amicably settled.
At Budgam, the 2nd National LokAdalat was organized in District Court Complex Budgam and Taluka Courts of District Budgam.The 2nd National LokAdalat was inaugurated by Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman District Legal Services Authority) Budgam, at District Court Complex Budgam.Each Court had identified cases for LokAdalat before hand and same were placed before 07 different benches constituted by DLSA Budgam for their settlement in National LokAdalat.Nonetheless, a total number of 548 matters were taken up for their amicable settlement, out of which 322 matters were settled. Besides, an amount of Rs. 5,75,70,294 was realized in total in the settlement. Besides, an amount of Rs 2.00 Lac was provided as victim compensation.
At Ganderbal, the Lok-Adalat was held under the supervision and chairmanship of Ritesh Kumar Dubey, Chairman DLSA (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Ganderbal, and under the guidance of Nusrat Ali Hakak, Secretary DLSA Ganderbal.For the amicable settlement of cases, 03 benches were constituted that took up 883 cases for settlement, out of which 803 number of cases were amicably settled/compromised on spot and Rs. 53,49,686 was awarded as settlement amount in Bank recovery matters, 138 NI Act Cases, Civil Cases and other matters.
At Shopian, the 2nd National LokAdalat was held here on Saturday in the court premises of District Court Complex Shopian under the Chairpersonship of Rafia Hassan, I/C Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Principal District & Session Judge) Shopian.For the said National LokAdalat, 03 Benches were constituted by the DLSA that took up 192 cases, out of which 89 cases were settled amicably with a settlement amount Rs.67,63,950.In the said National LokAdalat, besides Advocates, litigants and other prominent citizens also participated.
At Kulgam, the 2nd National LokAdalat was held under the chairmanship of PervaizIqbal (Incharge PDJ Kulgam/Chairman DLSA Kulgam).The LokAdalat was inaugurated by Chairman DLSA in presence of Sub Judge/Secretary DLSA Kulgam, Chief Judicial Magistrate Kulgam and Additional Mobile Magistrate Kulgam and Bar members of Kulgam.On the occasion, 06 benches were constituted, four at headquarters and one each at D.H.Pora and Qazigund.In the said LokAdalat a total number of 743 cases were taken up, out of which 304 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs.1,59,23,400 was awarded in different cases including 52.00 lakhs in one MACT Case titled Farida Gul v/s Wassim Dhobi.
At Kupwara, the 2nd National LokAdalat was on Saturday held across District Kupwara under the supervision of ShaziaTabasum, Chairperson, DLSA, (Pr. District & Session Judge) Kupwara, and guidance of Manzoor Ahmad Khan Secretary, DLSA Kupwara.A total of 06 Benches were constituted for the said LokAdalat that took up 746 cases, of which 617 numbers of cases were disposed-off as settled on spot by intervention of the benches and by participation of the lawyers and litigants.A total sum of Rs. 21,26,500 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement during the said National LokAdalat.
At Bandipora, the DLSA Bandiporaon Saturday organised the 2nd National LokAdalat under the supervision of Chairman DLSA, (Pr. District & Session Judge) Bandipora, Amit Sharma and guidance of Nusrat Ali Hakak Secretary DLSA, Bandipora.A total of 03 Benches were constituted for the said LokAdalat that took up 199 cases, out of which 104 cases were settled as disposed-off. A total sum of 5,36,830 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement during the said LokAdalat.
2nd National LokAdalat settles 147 cases in Kishtwar
Kishtwar: In accordance to the National Calendar and under the auspices of the J&K Legal Services Authority, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kishtwar organized the 2nd National LokAdalat of calendar year 2024, here in the district Kishtwar.
The event was executed under the diligent supervision and guidance of Chairman DLSA Manjeet Singh Manhas.
The 2nd National LokAdalat dealt with a diverse array of cases, including Criminal Compoundable cases, Matrimonial cases, Maintenance disputes, Civil matters, Recovery suits, MACT Cases, Pre-Litigation disputes, and others. Two benches were constituted to facilitate the proceedings.
The first bench, presided over by Manjeet Singh Manhas Principal District and Sessions Judge and comprising NaveedKhurshid, Deputy Chief LADC, diligently addressed a substantial number of cases.
Simultaneously, the second bench, led by Mahmud Anwar Al-Nasir, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Sanveer Singh Assistant LADC, also adjudicated numerous cases with precision and impartiality.
In total, 209 cases were brought before the LokAdalat, with an impressive resolution rate of 147 cases across various categories. Notably, a commendable sum of Rs 2,35,132 was awarded to claimants in Bank Cases and other matters, underscoring the efficacy and significance of the LokAdalat in delivering timely justice and amicable settlements.
National Lok Adalat resolves 552 cases in Samba
Samba : Under the insightful directions of Justice TashiRabstan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority and also under the radiant guidance of Adnan Sayeed, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Samba (also Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Samba), 2nd National LokAdalat of the calendar year (2024) was inaugurated by Adnan Sayeed, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Samba (also Pr. District & Sessions Judge) on Saturday at ADR, Centre, District Court Complex Samba.
Three Benches for settling the referred cases(both Pre and Post Litigation) were constituted in the District Court Complex . The Bench No.1 included Adnan Sayeed, Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Samba (also Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Samba) and RekhaKapoorNischal, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Samba; Bench No.2 consisted of PreetSimran K. Grover, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Samba and Nisha Rani, Deputy legal Aid Defence Counsel, Samba; Bench No. 3 included AnantaRaina, Addl. Spl. Mobile Magistrate, Samba and UrvashiRaina, Addl. Munsiff, Samba.
The matters placed before the Benches included Civil, Criminal Compoundable, Cheque Bounce, Bank Recovery matters, MACT, Matrimonial, Pre-litigation matters, D.V. Act, Negotiable Instrument Act, 125 Cr.Pc., and Petty Offence(s) including traffic challans. RekhaKapoorNischal, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Samba coordinated the National LokAdalat organized at ADR Centre, District Court Complex Samba.
A total number of 658 cases were taken up for their amicable settlement out of which 552 cases were settled and an amount of Rs 10,07,35,367 was realized as settlement amount.
Besides this, District Legal Services Authority Samba also organized a Legal Awareness program on “Concept of Legal Aid with Special emphasis on Legal Aid Defence Counsel System” for the students of Higher Secondary School (Girls) and (Boys), Samba at Conference Hall, ADR Centre wherein Adnan Sayeed, District Legal Services Authority, Samba (also Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Samba) was the Chief Guest who in his special address briefed the participants about the historical background of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and who are the beneficiaries under this Actand also the purpose behind the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System(LADCs).
He also sensitized the students to work hard and become responsible citizens of the country as well as attain high position in their respective lives. VershaAnthal, Legal Aid Defence Counsel and Itee Sharma, Legal Aid Counsel were the speakers of the program who deliberated upon the theme of the subject.
Ajay Gupta, President Bar Association Samba also spoke on the occasion..RekhaKapoorNischal, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Samba presented the welcome address whereas the vote of thanks was presented by Vishal Sharma, Legal Aid Counsel.
The proceedings of the program were conducted by Tania Pargal, Panel Advocate, District Legal Services Authority Samba. The awareness program was also witnessed by PreetSimran K. Grover, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Samba, AnantaRaina, Addl. Spl. Mobile Magistrate, Samba UrvashiRaina, Addl. Munsiff, Samba, Officers of the Prosecution Wing, Senior and other Ld. Advocates, Officers of Legal Aid Defence Counsel System, Panel Advocates of DLSA Samba, faculty members and students from Hr. Sec. School(Boys) and (Girls) Samba, staff members and workforce of District Legal Services Authority Samba.
A light refreshment was also served to the participants at the end of the programme.
National Lok Adalat settles 617 Cases in Rajouri
Rajouri: As per the direction of NALSA, the 2nd National LokAdalat pertaining to all types of cases was held on Saturday here at District Court Complex and in all other Courts of District Rajouri under the Chairmanship of R.N Wattal, Chairman District legal Service Authority (Principal District & Sessions Judge) in which three benches were constituted.
First bench was headed by R.N. Wattal ( Principal District & Sessions Judge Rajouri) assisted by MehmoodChoudhary ( Additional District & Sessions Judge Rajouri) and KhilatBhat Advocate ,Second bench was headed by ManjeetRai (Chief Judicial Magistrate Rajouri) and assisted by MahjabeenAkhter (District Mobile Magistrate (Traffic), Rajouri and SomyaTahira Advocate, Third bench was headed by Rayaz Ahmed Choudhary (Special Mobile Magistrate Rajouri), assisted by Inderjeet Sharma Advocate and SapnaKumari Advocate. Similar benches were also constituted at Tehsil Level which were headed by the Presiding Officers of the respective Courts.
A total of 839 cases both Pre-Litigation and Post-Litigation were taken up out of which 617 Cases were disposed of.
An amount of Rs722, 735 (Seven Lakh twenty two thousand seven hundred and thirty five only) was realized as compensation.
From the court of Worthy Principal District & Sessions Judge, Rajouri and Additional District & Sessions Judge Rajouri , 16 MACT Cases were taken up out of which 14 cases were settled and an amount of Rs. 81,60,000 ( Eighty one Lakh Sixty thousand only) was awarded as compensation in those cases.
Representatives of Banks, Advocates of different Insurance companies, Bar members, PLVs, Staff members, Litigants and large numbers of peoples were present at the LokAdalat.
National Lok Adalat: 1386 cases settled in Udhampur Distt
Udhampur: In compliance to the directions of Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority, National LokAdalat was held on Saturday to hear different kinds of cases in the Court complex Udhampur.
In all 7 Benches were constituted in the District. Bench No. 1. comprised of Dinesh Gupta, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Udhampur and ManojParihar, Chief Judicial Magistrate Udhampur; Bench No. 2 comprised of Slahuddin Ahmed, Sub Judge/ Special Mobile Magistrate, Udhampur and BhanuBhasin, Additional Special Mobile Magistrte, Udhampur; Bench No. 3 comprised of Maleeka Sharma, Munsiff JMIC Udhampur and Vishal Bharti, Distt. Mobile Magistrate (T), Udhampur; Bench no. 4 comprised of Sub Judge Raj Kumar (Chairman TLSC) Ramnagar and Advocate K.D. Sharma (Lawyer) TLSC Ramnagar, Bench no. 5 comprised of Madhu Sharma (Munsiff JMIC Majalta) & Adv. Mohan Lal Gupta; Bench no. 6 comprised of Rekha Sharma (Munsiff) JMIC Chenani and Adv. Tariq M Mughal (Panel Lawyer) Chenani; Bench no. 7 comprised of Sapna, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Udhampur and Nikhileshwar Singh Panel lawyer, Udhampur.
The total number of 1819 cases pertaining to different nature were taken up, out of which 1386 cases were settled. A total Rs 52670984 Amount was recovered.
DLSA Kathua organises 2nd National LokAdalat of calendar year 2024
Kathua : As per the Action Plan issued by J&K Legal Services Authority and under the radiant guidance of Chairman District Legal Services Authority, Kathua Ashok Kumar Shavan,(also Pr. District & Sessions Judge), 2nd National LokAdalat of the calendar year 2024 was held here on Saturday in the District Court Complex,
The event commenced with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp by the Chairman DLSA.
In his address to the distinguished gathering, Ashok Kumar Shavan shed light on the purpose of the National LokAdalat, emphasizing its significance in delivering swift justice. He deliberated upon the significance of holding such LokAdalats by giving instant justice, how it saved energy & time and how it benefits the poor litigants.
Seven benches were constituted to settle referred cases, each comprising esteemed members of the judiciary and legal fraternity.
Bench No. 1 comprised of Ashok Kumar Shavan, Principal District & Sessions Judge and CheenaSumbria, Munsiff JMIC, Kathua; Bench No. 2 was consisted of KusoomPandita, Additional District & Sessions Judge Kathua and PuneetKumari, Deputy Chief Legal Aid Defence Counsel Kathua; Bench No. 3 consisted of Swati Gupta, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Kathua and Neena Thakur, District Mobile Magistrate, Kathua, Bench No. 4 was comprising of JyotiBhagat, Munsiff JMIC, Billawar and Poonam Gupta, Addl. Special Mobile Magistrate, Billawar, Bench No.5 was comprising of Rimpi Rani, Munsiff JMIC, Hiranagar and Vijay Kumar Sharma, President, Bar Association Hiranagar, Bench No. 6 included Jeevan Kumar Sharma, Munsiff JMIC Basholi and Shub Kumar Sharma, Bar President, Basohli and Bench No. 7 consisted of RajniBhagat, Munsiff JMIC, Mahanpur and Deep Kumar, Advocate Mahanpur.
The 2nd National LokAdalat was held across the district wherein different kinds of matters were placed before the Benches included Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), Motor Vehicle Act, MACT Cases, Bank Recovery (both pre- litigation and post-litigation) matters, Criminal Compoundable, and also Traffic Challans. In Saturday’s National LokAdalat, Advocates, Litigants, people from various departments, Senior Citizens have also participated.
Further in the National LokAdalat, 6349 of Pre- Litigation cases of different nature including Bank Recovery Cases were settled 423 Post litigations of Bank Recovery Cases were settled and a recovery of Rs 63,16,160 has been effected, besides in MACT Cases Compensation of Rs 70,40,000 has been Awarded and a fine of Rs 459800 Traffic Challan and Other petty Offences were recovered from the defaulters.
All the participants were totally benefitted and satisfied in the event of National LokAdalat.
National LokAdalat disposes of 528 cases in Ramban
Ramban : Implementing the annual calendar of activities issued by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and on the directions of the J&K Legal Services Authority, the second National LokAdalat of the year 2024 was on Saturday held at District Court Complex Ramban and other sub-ordinate Courts here under the Chairmanship and guidance of Chairman, District Legal Services Authority (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Ramban, Ranbir Singh Jasrotia.
Advocate A.R. Mushtaq coordinated the crucial session.
Eight benches were constituted across all Courts of the District for amicable and speedy settlement of the cases.
A total of 761 cases including, 701 Post-litigation and 60 Pre-litigation cases were taken up, out of which 521 Post-litigation and 07 Pre-litigation cases were disposed of with a settlement amount of Rs. 89,10,800 in Post-litigation cases.
