5L cases disposed of in National Lok Adalat

The Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA) successfully organised the second National Lok Adalat of the year on Saturday under Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court and Executive Chairperson, HALSA, Justice Lisa Gill. The Lok Adalat was held across all 22 districts and 34 sub-divisions of Haryana through the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs).

A highlight was the resolution of an 11-year-old criminal appeal titled Kashmir vs. M/s Simar pending before the district courts, Karnal. The matter was successfully settled in the National Lok Adalat held at Karnal.

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) case titled Ajay vs. Kuber and ICICI Lombard Insurance Co. had been pending since 2020 because the petitioner had not been issued a disability certificate. Recognising the urgency and sensitivity of the matter, the District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Faridabad, took proactive steps to facilitate a resolution. A medical expert, present at the court premises as part of Lok Adalat arrangements, promptly examined the petitioner and assessed permanent disability to the extent of 41 per cent. This immediate assessment enabled meaningful negotiations. The matter was amicably settled for a sum of Rs 6,50,000, significantly higher than the initial claim of Rs 3,00,000 made in the petition.

Today’s Lok Adalat, including pre-Lok Adalat sittings, witnessed the disposal of more than five lakh cases. A total of 170 Benches were constituted at various courts to take up both pre-litigation and pending cases, encompassing a broad spectrum of matters such as civil disputes, matrimonial cases, motor accident claims, bank recovery suits, cheque bounce matters, traffic challans, compoundable criminal offences and cases before Permanent Lok Adalats (Public Utility Services). More than six lakh cases were referred to the Benches for settlement.