National Lok Adalat resolves 9,020 cases in K’thala, distributes Rs 9.7 crore in settlements

The National Lok Adalat held in Kapurthala district on Saturday successfully resolved 9,020 cases, resulting in settlements worth Rs 9,69,76,026. The initiative was organised under the directions of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, Mohali and conducted under the supervision of District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Kapurthala, Hon’ble Harpal Singh.

A total of 9,813 cases were taken up before judicial and revenue courts across various benches, including seven in Kapurthala, three in Phagwara, two in Sultanpur Lodhi, one in Bhulath and seven at revenue benches. The cases covered a wide range of legal matters, including criminal compoundable offenses, cheque dishonour cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, bank recovery suits, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) matters, labour disputes, electricity and water bill cases, matrimonial disputes, land acquisition cases, service matters, revenue disputes and other civil cases such as rent, injunctions, and specific performance.

Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary of DLSA Kapurthala, Hirdejit Singh, emphasised that Lok Adalats help litigants save both time and money. He noted that the decisions made in Lok Adalats are final, with no provision for appeal, ensuring a favourable outcome for both parties. Additionally, court fees paid in civil cases settled during the Lok Adalat are refunded, providing further financial relief to the litigants.

The judicial benches were presided over by Additional District and Sessions Judges Sanjeev Joshi and Rashmi Kapila, Principal Family Court Judge Rana Kanwardeep Kaur Chahal, Civil Judge (Senior Division) Suman Pathak, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division) Navjeet Pal Kaur, Civil Judge (Junior Division) Karambir Singh Batra, and Permanent Lok Adalat Chairman (Public Utility Services) Mukesh Bansal. Several advocates, Permanent Lok Adalat members and social workers also contributed to the smooth conduct of the proceedings. Hirdejit Singh further announced that the next National Lok Adalat in Kapurthala district is scheduled for December 13, 2025.