Over 4.81 lakh cases settled, Rs 617 crore awarded in Punjab Lok Adalat

Amidst the weekend rush of litigants, a middle-aged man in a faded shirt, his shoulder wrapped in a makeshift sling, stepped out of the District Court complex in Ropar. A vague sense of relief crossed his face as he tightly clutched a crumpled paper—settlement of a long-pending loan dispute with a bank. The small crowd outside barely noticed, but for him, the moment was significant. Years of legal wrangling had finally ended—not in a courtroom battle, but at a Lok Adalat bench.

The day-long Lok Adalat saw a staggering 5.50 lakh cases taken up across Punjab, with 4,81,324 cases disposed of and settlement awards exceeding Rs 617 crore passed. A total of 442 Benches were constituted across districts and subdivisions.

The event drew the participation of banks, insurance companies, government departments, and the general public, with the scale of resolutions marking a sharp rise from the previous Lok Adalat in March, where 3.66 lakh cases were settled.

The event was held under the leadership of Justice Surya Kant, Judge of the Supreme Court of India, who assumed charge as the Executive Chairman of NALSA on May 14; Justice Sheel Nagu, who took over as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 9, 2024; and Justice Deepak Sibal, who assumed charge as Executive Chairman of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority on April 16.

Acknowledging the collaborative efforts, Justice Sibal asserted: “The Lok Adalats are testament to the idea that justice should not be delayed or adversarial. It is heartening to see the people of Punjab embrace this collaborative mode of justice delivery.”

The Punjab State Legal Services Authority also extended its appreciation to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, judicial officers, Bar members, police, and civil administration for their support in making the event a success.