SRINAGAR: Reaffirming the commitment to provide quick, affordable, and amicable resolution of disputes, the First National Lok Adalat of the year 2025 was successfully organized today across Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir under the patronage of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority) and the dynamic mentorship of Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, as well as under the able guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee.The initiative aimed to promote amicable settlements in cases including MACT, matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes, and compoundable criminal cases.
To ensure the maximum resolution of disputes, pre-Lok Adalat sittings and pre-counseling sessions were conducted well in advance, providing the parties with ample opportunity to engage in dialogue and reach a consensus for a permanent resolution. Additionally, webinars and virtual meetings were organized to sensitize stakeholders, officers of Legal Services Institutions, LADCs, Panel Lawyers, PLVs, and others involved in the promotion of Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). These sessions emphasized the significance of Lok Adalats and encouraged parties to take full advantage of the opportunity.
As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts of UT of J&K, out of total 1,99,853 cases taken up by 165 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat across J&K, 1,88,422 cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs. 59,04,49,391/-as compensation/settlement amount in cases like Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, Electricity and Water Bills, Land Acquisition, Family matters, cheque dishonor and Bank Recovery etc.
This National Lok Adalat marked a significant milestone as it was the first such event after Shazia Tabassum, District & Sessions Judge, took charge as Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority.
Speaking to media persons on the occasion, Shazia Tabassum emphasized the crucial role of Lok Adalats in reducing case pendency and ensuring speedy justice. She highlighted that dispute resolution through Lok Adalats not only saves time and resources for litigants but also fosters a culture of amicable settlements, ensuring long-term societal harmony.
She further stated that special efforts were made to enhance participation, streamline pre-litigation settlements, and encourage litigants to opt for out-of-court resolutions. Under her leadership, the J&K Legal Services Authority will continue to strengthen the ADR mechanism, ensuring that justice reaches the doorstep of every individual, particularly the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society. She expressed gratitude to the Judiciary, Legal Services Institutions, District Administration, Advocates, and other stakeholders for their collective efforts in making the National Lok Adalat a success.
She also announced that the second National Lok Adalat of the year will be held on Saturday, May 10, 2025, and a Special Lok Adalat for Consumer Cases will be organized on April 26, 2025. Litigants who could not have their cases listed in today’s Lok Adalat or were unable to settle their disputes for any reason are encouraged to avail themselves of the opportunity in the upcoming Lok Adalats.
Ist National Lok Adalat held across Kashmir
Srinagar: In pursuance to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) calendar, and under the directions of Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, the Ist National Lok Adalat was held on Saturday across all the districts of Kashmir division by the respective District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs).
The Lok Adalat was held under the directions of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron in Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority), and Atul Sreedharan Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority.
Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute redressal mechanism where disputes and cases pending in courts of law or at the pre-litigation stage are settled or compromised amicably to reduce the load on the regular court system.
The matters placed before the benches included cases of Civil, Criminal Compoundable, Cheque bounce, Bank matters, MACT, Land Compensation, Matrimonial, Electricity, and Pre-litigation matters referred by DLSA Budgam, which included electricity related issues/matters, bank recovery matters, PHE matters, Social Welfare Scheme matters, Labour cases, Revenue, Matrimonial disputes, land disputes, BSNL cases, municipality cases and other Government scheme related matters.
At Srinagar, District Judiciary Srinagar, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar, organized the Ist National Lok Adalat for the year 2025 at the District Court Complex Mominabad Srinagar and in the Court of Additional Special Mobile Magistrate/JMIC Pantha chowk Srinagar. The National Lok Adalat was held under the guidance of Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary of J&K Legal Services Authority, and under the overall supervision of Tasleem Arief, Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairman of DLSA Srinagar, along with Sajad Ur Rehman, Secretary DLSA Srinagar. The Ist National Lok Adalat of the year was inaugurated by Chairman District Legal Services Authority Srinagar Tasleem Arief in the presence of judicial officers and staff at the District Court Complex Srinagar. During the Lok Adalat, Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary of J&K Legal Services Authority, along with Tasleem Arief, Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar, Sajad Ur Rehman, Secretary DLSA Srinagar observed the proceedings of the benches at District Court Srinagar. To facilitate the amicable settlement of cases, 13 benches were constituted. Overall 85600 cases were taken up for settlement out of which 83297 cases were amicably settled and Rs.60798358 was awarded as settlement amount.
At Baramulla, the first National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Principal District & Sessions Judge, Baramulla Jawad Ahmad, who is also Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Baramulla The event was attended by Additional District and Sessions Judge, Special Judge NDPS Cases, Secretary, DLSA Baramulla, President Bar Baramulla and other judicial officers. To ensure smooth proceedings, nine benches were constituted across the district that took up a total of 2,454 cases for settlement out of which 2,260 cases were settled, with a total amount of Rs 6.19 crore realized.
At Budgam, the Ist National Lok Adalat was organized in District Court Complex Budgam and Taluka Courts of the district under the direction and supervision of O.P Bhagat, Chairman of DLSA ( Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Budgam and under the supervision of Nusrat Ali Hakak, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Budgam. The Ist National Lok Adalat of the year 2025 was inaugurated by O.P Bhagat Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman District Legal Services Authority Budgam) at district court complex Budgam in presence of other judicial officers posted at district headquarters Budgam. Each Court had identified cases for the said National Lok Adalat before hand and same were placed before 08 different benches constituted for their settlement. A total of 2852 cases were taken up, out of which 1371 cases were amicably settled. Besides, an amount of Rs 1,34,71,022 was given as compensation/recovered in total.
At Ganderbal, the 1st National Lok Adalat was organized by District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Ganderbal under the supervision of Abdul Nasir, Chairman, DLSA Ganderbal, and guidance of Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal. The National Lok Adalat was successfully inaugurated by Chairman District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Ganderbal. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several distinguished judges, including Rafia Hassan, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ganderbal; Tabasum, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ganderbal; Sheikh Babar Hussain, Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal; Mahoor, Munsiff, Ganderbal, and Monis Wahid, Additional Special Mobile Magistrate, Ganderbal. Other notable attendees included LADCs, Panel Lawyers, Bar Members, and litigants etc. A total of 03 benches were constituted, that took up a total number of 597 cases, out of which 567 cases were disposed-off/ amicably settled, resulting in a settlement amount of Rs 13,17,716.
At Pulwama, 1st National Lok-Adalat was organized in District Court & other subordinate courts of District Pulwama under the Chairmanship of Malik Shabir Ahmad, Chairman District Legal Services Authority (Pr.District & Sessions Judge), Pulwama and under the supervision of Mudasar Farooq Secretary DLSA Pulwama. The Lok adalat at District headquarters Pulwama was inaugurated by PDJ Pulwama which was also attended by Judicial Officers of District Pulwama. A total number of 503 cases were taken up by 05 benches in the district out of which 346 cases were settled in the said Lok adalat. An amount of Rs, 4,59,68,236 was awarded as settlement amount in all cases including award of Rs. 28,55,000 in 05 MACT Cases.
At Shopian, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Shopian Saturday organized the 1st National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Shopian. For the smooth conduct of the Lok Adalat, four benches were constituted by DLSA Shopian. During the Lok Adalat, a total of 362 cases were taken up. Out of these, 120 cases were successfully settled through mutual understanding, with a total settlement amount of Rs.36,74,854.
At Kulgam, Ist National Lok Adalat was held Saturday in District Kulgam, under the chairmanship of Aijaz Ahmad Khan (Principal District and Sessions Judge /Chairman District Legal Services Authority Kulgam). The National Lok Adalat was formally inaugurated by Chairman DLSA in presence of Chief Judicial Magistrate Kulgam/Sub Judge/Secretary District Legal Services Authority Kulgam, Munsiff/JMIC Kulgam, Additional Special Mobile Magistrate Kulgam and Bar members of Kulgam. 06 benches were constituted, 04 at Head quarter and 01 each at D.H.Pora and Qazigund each headed by one Judicial Officer. In the said Lok Adalat a total number of 1174 cases were taken up. Out of which 405 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs.59,38,620 was awarded in different cases.
At Bandipora, the Ist National Lok Adalat was held under the supervision and guidance of Chairman District Legal Services Authority, (Pr. District & Session Judge) Bandipora Khalil Ahmad Choudhary. A total 05 benches were constituted for the Lok Adalat that took up a total number of 291 cases out of which 78 Cases were settled as disposed. A total sum of Rs.25,21,015 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement during the Lok Adalat.
At Kupwara, the District Legal Services Authority, Kupwara, organized 1st National Lok Adalat, across District Kupwara Saturday. The said Lok Adalat was held under the supervision of Chairman DLSA Kupwara (Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Kupwara) Manjeet Singh Manhas and guidance of Moneer Ahmad Secretary, DLSA Kupwara. 18 Benches were constituted for the said Lok Adalat that took up a total number 1289 of cases, of which 939 numbers of cases were disposed as settled on spot by intervention of the benches and by participation of the lawyers and litigants. A total sum of Rs. 2,63,32,368 was awarded to the aggrieved parties by settlement during the said National Lok Adalat.
1st National Lok Adalat organized in Distt Ang, Justice Koul inaugurates proceedings
Anantnag: District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Anantnag successfully organized 1st National Lok Adalat of 2025 on Saturday across District Anantnag under the aegis of the J&K Legal Services Authority.
The event was graced by the presence of Justice Vinod Chatterjee Koul, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Administrative Judge for District Anantnag, who also inaugurated the proceedings at various court complexes.
At the outset, Justice Vinod Chatterjee Koul visited the Sub Judge Court Bijbehara where he inaugurated the 1st National Lok Adalat of the year in presence of Pr. District & Sessions Judge (Chairman DLSA) Tahir Khurshid Raina; Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Fakhruddin Hamid; Sub Judge Bijbehara, Tabassum Qadir Parray; Bar Members of Bijbehara Court and litigants.
Justice Koul then inaugurated a baby-feeding room for female litigants ensuring a more inclusive and accessible judicial environment for female litigants.
Thereafter, the President Bar Association Bijbehara presented a Charter of demands highlighting infrastructural requirements, upon which the Deputy Commissioner was directed to take immediate action.
Since the day is also celebrated and observed as International Women’s Day, Justice Koul issued directions to Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag for the creation of a dedicated washroom for female advocates and female litigants reinforcing gender-sensitive initiatives within the justice system.
Additionally, he participated in a plantation drive, planting Deodar saplings to promote environmental sustainability.
Subsequently, Justice Koul visited the District Court Complex, Anantnag, where he formally inaugurated the 1st National Lok Adalat of 2025 in presence of Chairman DLSA (Principal District & Sessions Judge, Anantnag) Tahir Khurshid Raina; Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Fakhruddin Hamid; Additional District & Sessions Judge Anantnag, Masarat Roohi; Special Judge UAPA, Manzoor Ahmad Khan; Secretary DLSA Anantnag, Fozia Paul; Chief Judicial Magistrate Anantnag, Feroz Ahmad Khan; Spl. Mobile Magistrate, Anantnag, Lubna Sultan; Munsiff JMIC Anantnag, Arshad Aziz Qureshi; Sajad Ahmad Superintendent Headquarter Anantnag, Bar Members, Litigants, and Court staff.
During the proceedings, Justice Koul distributed Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) compensation awards to several beneficiaries, ensuring timely justice and relief to the affected families. In his interaction with the legal fraternity, he emphasized the importance of expediting the completion of the New Court Complex, Anantnag, and directed the Deputy Commissioner for its swift execution.
Following the inauguration, Hon’ble Judge inspected Lok Adalat benches constituted at DLSA Hqrs. and lauded the efforts of District Judiciary in facilitating dispute resolution.
Apart from the 04 benches constituted at DLSA headquarter, 06 benches were constituted in peripheral courts.
The cases which were referred in National Lok Adalat included matters of Civil disputes, Cheque bounce cases, Cr. Compoundable, Matrimonial cases, Money recovery cases, Traffic Challan, Bank cases and Pre Litigation cases.
A total of 10,183 different Cases/ matters were taken up in which 9698 different Cases/matters were amicably settled. An amount of Rs. 1,62,78,285 was amicably settled in different cases.
National Lok Adalat at Rajouri: 425 cases settled, over Rs 2.21 cr realized as compensation
Rajouri: As per the direction of NALSA, 1st National Lok Adalat pertaining to all types of cases was held at District Court Complex, Rajouri and in all other Courts of District Rajouri under the Chairmanship of Rajinder Sapru, Chairman District legal Service Authority (Principal District & Sessions Judge). Two benches were constituted for hearing the cases. The first bench was headed by Rajinder Sapru ( Principal District & Sessions Judge) assisted by Javed Rana ( Chief Judicial Magistrate) and Khilat Bhat Advocate, while the Second Bench was headed by Rayaz Ahmed Choudhary (Sub-Judge Special Mobile Magistrate Rajouri) assisted by Shavika Gupta( District Mobile Magistrate ( Traffic), Rajouri and Sanjay Sharma Advocate. Similar benches were also constituted at Tehsil Level which were headed by the Presiding Officers of the respective Courts.
A total No. of 914 cases Pre-Litigation and Post-Litigation cases were taken up out of which 425 Cases were disposed of. An amount of Rs 2,21,99,336 (Two Crore Twenty one Lakh ninety nine thousand three hundred & Thirty Six only) was realized as compensation.
From the court of Principal District & Sessions Judge, Rajouri & Additional District & Sessions Judge Rajouri ,51 MACT cases were taken up out of which 51 were settled and amount of Rs. 1,80,10,000 ( One Crore Eight Lakh and ten thousand only) was awarded as compensation in those cases. In this National Lok Adalat, representatives of Banks, Advocates of different Insurance companies, Bar members, PLVs, Staff members, Litigants and a large number of people participated.
National Lok Adalt settles 827 cases at Udhampur
Udhampur: The first National Lok Adalat for the year 2025 was held here on Saturday under the Chairmanship and Supervision of Virinder Singh Bhou, Chairman DLSA/ Pr. District & Sessions Judge and Dr. Smriti Sharma, Secretary.
A total number of 1288 cases pertaining to different nature were taken up by 10 benches constituted across the District, out of which 827 cases were settled. The total Amount settled was at Rs. 17994927
Bench first comprising Virinder Singh Bhou, Pr. District & Sessions Judge, and Kamlesh Pandit Additional District & Sessions Judge.
Bench 2 consisted of Rekha Kapoor, Chief Judicial Magistrate and Pooja Raina, Sub Judge/Special Mobile Magistrate Udhampur; Bench No. 3 comprised Rishabh Koushal, District Mobile Magistrate (T), Udhampur and Adv. Nikhileshwar Singh Panel Lawyer, Udhampur; Bench no. 4 comprised Akashdeep, Additional Special Mobile Magistrate, Udhampur and Adv. Malikarjun Singh Slathia, Panel Lawyer Udhampur; Bench No. 05 composed of Suhasini Vasisatha, Chairman TLSC Majalta and Adv. Mohan Lal Gupta, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Majalta; Bench No. 06 consisted of Ravinder Singh, Chairman TLSC Chenani and Adv. Balwan Singh, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Chenani, Bench No. 07 comprised Jai Singh, Tehsildar Udhampur and Adv. Akhil Dubey, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Udhampur, Bench No. 08 comprised Satish Kumar, Tehsildar Ramnagar and Adv. Vikrant Sharma, Advocate Ramnagar, Bench No. 09 comprised Diksha Bamba, Tehsildar Majalat and Adv. Amit Sharma, Advocate Majalta and Bench No. 10 comprised of Pankaj Singh, Tehsildar Chenani along with Adv. Ajmer Singh Katoch, Advocate Chenani.
