2,07,66,548 cases amicably settled at National Lok Adalat across country
The National Legal Services Authority on Saturday organised the second National Lok Adalat of the year across the country. According to a release, “A total of 2,07,66,548 cases were amicably settled, comprising 1,87,63,883 pre-litigation matters and 20,02,665 pending cases, involving an overall settlement amount of Rs 3,440.81 crore.”
It attributed the comparatively lower figures, vis-a-vis some previous National Lok Adalats, primarily to the staggered schedule in certain states and Union territories and the ongoing consolidation of data from various jurisdictions.
The Lok Adalat was organised across 21 States and six Union territories through thousands of benches constituted at various courts, tribunals, consumer commissions, and permanent Lok Adalats.
“Owing to summer vacations and administrative exigencies, the National Lok Adalat shall be conducted on June 13 in Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal; on June 20 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Telangana; and on July 11 in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka,” it said.
The matters settled on Saturday included bank recovery cases, cheque dishonour matters, motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes (excluding divorce), labour disputes, consumer matters, compoundable criminal cases, traffic challans, service matters, land acquisition disputes, arbitration matters, plea bargaining, succession cases, revenue cases, public utility cases and other civil cases amenable to settlement, the release said.
“Special emphasis was placed on long-pending matters identified through the National Judicial Data Grid (NJDG), reaffirming NALSA’s commitment towards reducing pendency and strengthening the justice delivery system,” it said.
Awards passed by the Lok Adalats are final and binding, with the added benefit of a refund of court fees, ensuring speedy and cost-effective justice.
