SRINAGAR: The first National Lok Adalat of 2025 was held across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, settling 1,88,422 cases out of 1,99,853 taken up by 165 benches. The event resulted in settlements amounting to Rs 59.04 crore in cases related to motor accident claims, civil and criminal matters, labour disputes, electricity and water bills, land acquisition, family disputes, cheque dishonour, and bank recovery.
The Lok Adalat was organised under the patronage of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice of the High Court of JK and Ladakh, with Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority, and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairperson of the High Court Legal Services Committee, providing guidance. The initiative aimed to promote alternative dispute resolution, offering litigants a quicker and cost-effective means of settling cases.
Pre-Lok Adalat sittings and counselling sessions were conducted to facilitate amicable settlements. Webinars and virtual meetings were also held to sensitise stakeholders, including legal services officers, panel lawyers, and para-legal volunteers, on the importance of dispute resolution through Lok Adalats.
The event marked the first National Lok Adalat since Shazia Tabassum assumed office as Member Secretary of the JK Legal Services Authority. She highlighted the importance of Lok Adalats in reducing case pendency and providing speedy justice. She also stressed that such mechanisms help litigants save time and resources while fostering a culture of amicable dispute resolution.
She announced that the second National Lok Adalat of 2025 will be held on May 10, with a Special Lok Adalat for consumer cases scheduled for April 26. Litigants who missed the opportunity to settle their disputes in this session were encouraged to participate in the upcoming events.
The JK Legal Services Authority, in coordination with the judiciary, district administration, and legal professionals, remains committed to strengthening alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to ensure accessible justice for all, particularly the marginalised sections of society.
