The e-court concept was extended to Lok Adalat in the State and the first e-Lok Adalat was held in all 30 district courts and the Orissa High Court on Saturday, informed the Odisha Legal Services Authority here.
Keeping in view of the safety of litigants and with the compliance of Covid-19 guidelines, at least 2,061 cases were disposed of by different e-Lok Adalats and a record 171 pre-litigation cases were also settled. Sources added Odisha is one of the few States to have conducted e-Lok Adalat considering the problems of the litigants during the pandemic. Four other States have done so earlier.
The entire process of adjudication was conducted through videoconferencing among judges, lawyers, litigants, insurance companies and bank representatives. At least 107 motor accident claim appeals were settled by the e-Lok Adalat of High Court in which nearly Rs seven crore were awarded to the claimants.
The district-level e-Lok Adalats settled as many as 665 Motor Accident Claim Tribunal cases in which nearly Rs 30-crore claims were settled and awarded. Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, the awards made by the Lok Adalats are deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties.