SRINAGAR, MAY 31:Continuing its endeavour to fulfil the constitutional commitment of providing swift, cost-effective, and efficient dispute resolution to the masses in general and the litigant public in particular, the J&K Legal Services Authority—under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority), the dynamic leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, and the able guidance of Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committeeorganized the deferred 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year 2025 across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, to promote amicable settlements in a wide range of cases, including MACT claims, matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes, and compoundable criminal offences.
This National Lok Adalat, was originally scheduled on May 10, 2025, but wasdeferred due to certain reasons, and was consequently held today on May 31, 2025. Despite the deferment, thisLok Adalat witnessed enthusiastic participation from all stakeholders and was successfully conducted in all districts of the Union Territory of J&K.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority inaugurated the 2nd National Lok Adalat at District Court Complex Srinagar.
Upon his arrival, Justice Sanjeev Kumar was received by Shazia Tabasum,Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Tasleem Arief, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairperson, DLSA), Srinagar alongwith the other Judicial Officers of the District Judiciary.
To mark the occasion, a ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to the Chief Guest. During his visit, Justice Sanjeev Kumar inspected different benches and interacted with the Presiding officers, members of the benches, Advocates and litigantsand appreciated the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the Lok Adalat.
Several cases were resolved on the spot with the active intervention and guidance of the Executive Chairman. As a gesture of timely justice delivery, several MACT compensation cheques were also distributed among eligible claimants on the occasion, providing immediate relief to the beneficiaries.
As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts across the UT of J&K, out of total1,82,786cases taken up by 173 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat, 1,36,020 cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs.60,28,29,772/-as compensation/settlement amount in cases like Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, Electricity and Water Bills, Land Acquisition, Family matters, cheque dishonor and Bank Recovery etc.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, while talking to media persons appreciated the efforts of all the Judicial Officers, Secretary DLSAs, Advocates, LADCs, PLVs, staff of the district and tehsil courts as well as litigants for their whole hearted participation in the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year 2025.
Speaking on the significance of such initiatives, Justice Sanjeev Kumar emphasized that Lok Adalats serve as a powerful tool of justice delivery, enabling parties to resolve disputes swiftly, amicably, and without the burdens of prolonged formal litigation.
Executive Chairman urged the public to actively avail themselves of the opportunity provided by Lok Adalats to settle their disputes with finality, thereby promoting a culture of consensus and long-term harmony in society and encouraged all stakeholders to maximize participation in upcoming Lok Adalats.
Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority informed that the 3rd National Lok Adalat of the current calendar year shall be held on September 13, 2025 and those litigants who could not get their cases either listed in today’s lokadalat or could not settle the same for any reason can avail the opportunity in the next lok Adalat.
