NEW DELHI: More than 97.64 lakh cases, including about 17.13 lakh pending ones with approximate value of Rs 7077.84 crore, have settled on Saturday in the first Lok Adalat of the year organised across the country.
In a press release, the National Legal Services Authority said, "In this Lok Adalat, cases involving compoundable offences, revenue cases and bank recovery cases, motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes (except divorce cases), cheque bounce cases, labour disputes and other civil cases were taken up. A large number of recovery matters related to financial institutions, banks, government bodies and private service providers were also taken up as pre-litigation cases, and were settled."
This settlement of cases will not only ease the burden of the pending cases in courts but, will also control future litigation, it added.
Taking overview of the entire process and progress of Lok Adalat, Supreme Court judge, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul, who is executive chairman, NALSA, said, "Lok Adalats have not only proved to be an efficient substitute for redressal, but have significantly helped in reducing the burden of the Courts swiftly and in a very cost efficient manner. Lok Adalats have greatly supplemented and complimented the legal system. The pursuit of justice has become more accessible with the increasing vitality of Lok Adalats, in conformity with vision of NALSA."
He stressed upon the need of quick and affordable access to justice to increase the institutional participation of the common man and gave necessary directions to NALSA for future course of upcoming National Lok Adalats, scheduled to be held pan India on May 13, September 09 and December 09, 2023.
