The 3rd National Lok Adalat successfully resolved 1.14 crore cases, providing a quicker and more cost-effective route to justice. This initiative continues to play a crucial role in easing the burden on courts, promoting settlements outside traditional litigation. By offering a platform for amicable dispute resolution, the Lok Adalat contributes to enhancing the efficiency of India’s justice system.
New Delhi: The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) successfully conducted the 3rd National Lok Adalat of 2024 on Saturday across Taluks, Districts, and High Courts in 27 States and Union Territories.
In states where the Ganesh Chaturthi and Onam festivals are ongoing, the Lok Adalat will be held afterward. The event led by Justice Sanjiv Khanna, Judge of the Supreme Court and Executive Chairman of NALSA.
According to NALSA’s press release, a total of 1,14,56,529 cases resolved by the evening of September 14. This includes 94,60,864 pre-litigation cases and 19,95,665 cases that were pending in courts.
The Lok Adalat facilitated the resolution of various types of disputes, such as criminal compoundable offences, traffic violations, revenue cases, bank recoveries, motor accident claims, cheque dishonour cases, labour disputes, matrimonial matters (excluding divorce), land acquisition cases, intellectual property rights issues, consumer complaints, and other civil cases.
NALSA reported,
“The total settlement amount in these cases was approximately Rs. 8,482.08 crore, and the number of settled cases is likely to increase as reports from certain State Legal Services Authorities are still pending,”
This strong public participation reflects the purpose of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and the National Legal Services Authority (Lok Adalats) Regulations, 2009.
The recent success of the 3rd National Lok Adalat highlights the public’s growing trust in Lok Adalats as a vital tool for enhancing access to justice, particularly for underprivileged and marginalized communities. Santosh Snehi Mann, Member Secretary of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), emphasized NALSA’s ongoing commitment to organizing more Lok Adalats and promoting alternative dispute resolution methods throughout India.
Lok Adalats play a key role in fostering amicable settlements between disputing parties, offering an alternative to the conventional court system.
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As part of India’s broader initiative to provide justice for all, spearheaded by NALSA, Lok Adalats are crucial. They promote legal awareness and extend free legal services to economically disadvantaged sections of society.
By facilitating these forums, NALSA helps alleviate the burden on formal courts, providing a faster, more affordable, and informal avenue for resolving disputes. Lok Adalats focus on settling civil, family, and minor criminal cases through mutual agreement and negotiation.
Importantly, decisions reached in Lok Adalats legally binding and cannot be challenged in higher courts, ensuring finality in the resolutions.