SRINAGAR: More than 23,000 cases were amicably settled or disposed of with a total settlement and compensation of over Rs 176 crore during the third National Lok Adalat of the year held across Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, officials said.
A total of 32,908 cases were taken up by 163 Lok Adalat benches across the Union Territory, of which 23,213 were settled or disposed of, involving Rs 1,76,22,29,397 in settlements and compensation, according to the J&K Legal Services Authority.
The day-long Lok Adalat was organised to facilitate speedy, cost-effective and amicable resolution of disputes and improve access to justice for litigants.
The programme was organised by the J&K Legal Services Authority under the patronage of Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority, led the initiative, while Justice Sanjay Dhar, Chairperson of the High Court Legal Services Committee, provided guidance for its conduct.
The Chief Justice, along with Justice Kumar, inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex in Srinagar.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Bhati highlighted the role of Lok Adalats in providing an accessible and conciliatory mechanism for dispute resolution.
He said Lok Adalats not only help resolve disputes but also save time, reduce litigation expenses and promote goodwill between the parties.
“I encourage the public to actively participate in this initiative for peaceful, timely, and amicable settlements,” he said, adding that justice through Lok Adalats strengthens the foundation of participatory and compassionate justice.
A wide range of cases were taken up during the Lok Adalat, including Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) matters, matrimonial and family disputes, cheque dishonour cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery claims, commercial disputes, civil and criminal matters, labour disputes and compoundable offences.
Cases relating to electricity and water bills, land disputes and bank recoveries were also settled.
During the programme, the Chief Justice and the Executive Chairman visited various Lok Adalat benches and interacted with presiding officers, bench members, advocates and litigants.
They reviewed the arrangements and witnessed the settlement of cases at different benches.
MACT compensation cheques were also distributed among eligible claimants, providing immediate financial relief to beneficiaries.
The J&K Legal Services Authority said the large number of cases settled during the exercise reflected the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms in providing litigants with speedy and amicable justice.
