Inaugurated by the Supreme Court Justice Uday Umesh Lalit who is also Executive Chairman National Legal Services Authority in presence of J&K and Ladakh High Court and Executive Chairman J&K LSA Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey, the total number of 41109 cases were taken up for their amicable settlement.

“out of which 37151 Cases were settled. An amount of Rs 82561545 was realized in the settlement,” said an official.

For the first time in the Srinagar MACT awarded Rs 1.20 crore to a claimant.

The National Lok Adalat was organized under the guidance of Chairman District Legal Services Authority and Principal District & Sessions Judge Jawad Ahmad Srinagar.

“Total Eight Benches were constituted 72 MACT Claims/Petitions were taken up in Bench No 1, out of which 50 Claims were settled on Spot & Rs 4,17,70,000 was awarded as compensation in these cases,” said an official.

Besides, the Executive Chairman, National Legal Services Authority handed over cheques to the tune of two crore twenty two lac sixty one thousand and four rupees among the claimants of MACT cases including cheque to the tune of 1.20 crore in claim petition. The case got settled with the efforts of Jawad Ahmad. 

Justice Uday Umesh Lalit said that alternate dispute resolution system is one of the effective modes of disposal of cases and litigants should avail and participate in Lok Adalat as and when conducted by the courts.

“In LokAdalat both the parties go home happily and both parties have win position,” he said.

Justice Ali Mohammad Margay, Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority said that Lok Adalats are inexpensive with fast delivery of justice and Lok Adalats also help courts in reducing the work load which enables them to look into more serious matters.

He added that there is no court fee and if court fee already paid, the amount will be refunded if the dispute is settled in Lok Adalat.

Advocate Mir Naveed Gul, the panel lawyer for DLSA Srinagar said that Lok Adalats have been given statutory status under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

“Under this Act, the award (decision) made by the Lok Adalats is deemed to be a decree of a civil court and is final and binding on all parties and no appeal against such an award lies before any court of law,” he said.

He added that if the parties are not satisfied with the award of the Lok Adalat though there is no provision for an appeal against such an award, but they are free to initiate litigation by approaching the court of appropriate jurisdiction by filing a case by following the required procedure, in exercise of their right to litigate. (KNS).