Lok Adalat settles over 1.73 lakh cases in Maharashtra

NAGPUR: The concept of Maha Lok Adalat has been gaining momentum in Maharashtra with a large number of cases being amicably settled through alternate dispute redressal (ADR) mechanism.

As many as 1,73,183 cases have been settled since 1995-96 in the Maha Lok Adalats. In the five previous Lok Adalats, as many as 2,95,818 cases were kept for disposal and 1,73,183 were actually settled, official sources said.

In the recent Maha Lok Adalat organised here on Saturday last, 28,839 cases were settled, thereby taking up the tally to 2,02,022 cases so far, they said.

These include 1,35,401 pre-litigation cases kept for disposal and 74,102 actually settled cases.

The national Lok Adalat, held only once so far last year, was also a success where 73,841 cases were kept and 57,041 of them were settled, sources said.

The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), which co-ordinates the Lok Adalat, claimed that the settlement and success was to the tune of 89 per cent.

Besides, amount to the tune of Rs 10,32,25,968 was also settled including in cheque bouncing and other cases while the court collected a fine of Rs 34,61,700 in a day long Maha Lok Adalat on April 12.

Justice Z A Haq of the Bombay High Court stressed upon the necessity of Lok Adalats to reduce the pendency in the judicial system.

He said ADRs serve a good purpose as the litigants are the best judges to understand their disputes and they know the factual position better.

We should extend help to them being mediator or conciliator, he said.

The first Lok Adalat was held in 1995-96 in the premises of Nagpur Bench of Bombay High Court.