17,061 cases settled at Lok Adalat in Panchkula

A total of 22,675 cases were taken up and 17,061 cases successfully settled during the National Lok Adalat held on Saturday at the District Courts Complex, Panchkula, and Sub-Divisional Courts, Kalka, with a total settlement amount of Rs 1,11,28,628.

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A wide range of matters including civil disputes, compoundable criminal cases, cheque bounce matters under Section 138 of the NI Act, motor accident claims (MACT), matrimonial disputes, and pre-litigation matters were resolved through compromise and mutual agreement.

The Lok Adalat was organised under the guidance of Ved Parkash Sirohi, District & Sessions Judge, Panchkula, and as per directions of Surya Partap Singh, Member Secretary, Haryana State Legal Services Authority (HALSA). The initiative was coordinated by Aparna Bhardwaj, Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Panchkula, who oversaw the proceedings and visited various courtrooms during the day.

Bhardwaj, CJM-cum-Secretary DLSA Panchkula, personally visited all the designated courtrooms where Lok Adalat benches were actively conducting proceedings. She monitored the process closely, interacted with the litigants and advocates, and ensured that the objective of speedy and fair justice delivery was achieved. The atmosphere in the courts was harmonious and facilitative, with a focus on expeditious redressal of disputes.

Bhardwaj said various types — civil, criminal compoundable, cheque bounce under Section 138 NI Act, matrimonial disputes, MACT cases, and other pre-litigative matters — were taken up for resolution through amicable settlement. The proceedings emphasised compromise and mutual understanding, encouraging parties to resolve their disputes without prolonged litigation.

Bhardwaj emphasised that the initiative reflects the growing public confidence in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and serves the constitutional goal of access to justice for all, as envisaged under Article 39A. The DLSA expressed gratitude to judicial officers, bar members, court staff, and litigants for their cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to promoting accessible and efficient legal remedies.

Multiple benches were constituted at both venues to ensure smooth conduct of the proceedings. Judicial officers including Bikramjit Aroura, Rekha, Kirti Vashistha, Jyoti Sandhu, Manmeet Kaur, and Arunima Chauhan presided over cases in Panchkula. At Kalka, the bench was led by Ravneet.

The Lok Adalat initiative is part of a national effort to reduce the pendency of cases in courts and to promote a culture of compromise and mutual respect between parties. It also reflects the constitutional mandate of providing access to justice for all, as enshrined under Article 39A of the Constitution of India.