SRINAGAR: In a significant stride toward delivering timely and amicable justice and in pursuance to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) calendar, and under the directions of Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority, the 2nd National Lok Adalat was held today across all the districts of Kashmir division by the respective District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs).
National Lok Adalat was held under the directions of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh who also serves as the Patron in Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority, and Justice Sanjeev Kumar 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 DLSAs, 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, the District Judiciary Srinagar, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar, successfully organized the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year at the District Court Complex Mominabad, Srinagar, and at the Court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate/JMIC Pantha Chowk.
The Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh/Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority. The inauguration ceremony was held in presence of Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority; Tasleem Arief, Principal District & Sessions Judge/ Chairman, DLSA Srinagar, and judicial officers, members of the bar, and court staff.
A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented by the Jammu and Kashmir Police, marking a dignified and respectful beginning to the proceedings.
Following the inauguration, Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh/Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority visited and observed the functioning of various benches at the District Court Srinagar, offering encouragement to litigants and reinforcing the ethos of participatory justice.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Kumar emphasized the transformative role of Lok Adalats in the justice delivery system, stating “Lok Adalat is not just a mechanism for resolving disputes, it is a platform that creates a win-win situation for all parties involved. It saves time, reduces litigation costs, and fosters goodwill. I encourage the public to actively participate in this initiative for peaceful, timely, and amicable settlements. Justice through Lok Adalats strengthens the very foundation of participatory and compassionate justice.”
He also laid emphasis on disposal of substantial Civil, Criminal and Matrimonial cases, through the medium of Lok Adalat
The Lok Adalat received an enthusiastic response from litigants, a testament to the growing public trust in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. A wide range of cases, including civil matters, matrimonial disputes, criminal compoundable offences, bank recoveries, and pre-litigation issues were taken up, with a significant number being resolved on the spot.
To facilitate the amicable settlement of cases, 13 benches were constituted that took up a total of 58865 cases for settlement, out of which 20837 cases were amicably settled & Rs. 5,09,28686 was awarded as settlement amount.
At Baramulla, the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year was successfully conducted across District Baramulla, facilitating the swift and amicable settlement of legal disputes and promoting access to justice for all.
The Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Jawad Ahmad, Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Baramulla. He was joined by Naseer Ahmad, Additional District & Sessions Judge, Special Judge NDPS Cases, Secretary DLSA and other judicial officers posted at the district headquarters.
The event was also attended by the President and members of the Bar Association Baramulla, legal aid defense counsels (LADCs), panel lawyers, court staff, and para-legal volunteers affiliated with the DLSA.
A total of 6,507 cases were taken up for resolution by 10 benches constituted across the district including three at Baramulla headquarters, two at Sopore, and one each at Pattan, Tangmarg, Boniyar, Uri, and Dangiwacha.
Due to the collective efforts of the judiciary, legal fraternity, and litigants, 6,143 cases were successfully settled, and a total amount of Rs.11,84,99,627 was realized.
At Anantnag, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Anantnag organized 2nd National Lok Adalat today across the district under the aegis of the J&K Legal Services Authority.
The inauguration was organized in Alternate Dispute Resolution Centre, District Court Complex Anantnag presided over by Chairman DLSA (Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Anantnag), Tahir Khurshid Raina in presence of Additional District & Sessions Judge Anantnag, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Anantnag, Chief Judicial Magistrate Anantnag, Special Mobile Magistrate, Anantnag, District Mobile Magistrate, Munsiff (JMIC) Anantnag and others concerned.
Apart from the 05 benches constituted at DLSA headquarter, 06 benches were constituted in peripheral courts to conduct National Lok Adalat. In addition to this, 01 bench was constituted in the office of District Social Welfare Officer, Anantnag.
Worthwhile to mention that the Chairman DLSA, Tahir Khurshid Raina distributed two cheques for an amount of Rs. 5,25,000 under Victim Compensation Scheme to the victims. He also distributed cheques settled under MACT claims wherein the highest claim that was settled was an amount of Rs. 94,60,000.
At Budgam, District Judiciary Budgam and the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Budgam organized the 2nd National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex Budgam and in the Taluka courts of district Budgam.
The program was directed by Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Administrative Judge District Court Budgam and Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority.
The 2nd National Lok Adalat was held under the overall supervision of O.P. Bhagat, Principal District & Sessions Judge, and Chairman of DLSA Budgam, and Nusrat Ali Hakak, Secretary DLSA Budgam.
O.P Bhagat Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman District Legal Services Authority Budgam) inaugurated the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year 2025 at district court complex Budgam in presence of other judicial officers posted at district headquarters Budgam.
Cases identified beforehand were placed before 07 different benches constituted by DLSA, Budgam for their settlement in the said National Lok Adalat.
Nonetheless, a total number of 3503 cases/matters were taken up for their amicable settlement in the said National Lok Adalat, out of which 1929 number of cases/matters were amicably settled. Besides, an amount of Rs 1,36,50,900 was given as compensation/recovered in total.
At Ganderbal, the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Ganderbal successfully conducted the 2nd National Lok Adalat for the year 2025 in the district Ganderbal.
The event was conducted under the chairmanship of Abdul Nasir, Chairman, DLSA, Ganderbal, along with the guidance of Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal, whose collective leadership and support were instrumental in its successful execution.
The 2nd National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Abdul Nasir, Chairman DLSA Ganderbal. The inauguration ceremony was attended by several judges, including Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ganderbal, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ganderbal, Secretary, DLSA Ganderbal, Munsiff Ganderbal and Additional Special Mobile Magistrate, Ganderbal. Other notable attendees included LADCs, Panel Lawyers, Bar Members, and litigants etc.
A total of 04 benches were constituted, who worked tirelessly to dispose-off a large number of cases.
During the Lok Adalat, a total number of 694 cases were taken up, out of which 534 cases were amicably settled, resulting in a settlement amount of Rs 1,60,52,055.
At Pulwama, National Lok-Adalat was organized in District Court & other subordinate courts of the district today under the chairmanship of Malik Shabir Ahmad, Chairman DLSA (Pr.District & Sessions Judge), Pulwama and under the supervision of Secretary DLSA Pulwama.
The Lok-Adalat at district headquarters Pulwama was inaugurated by PDJ Pulwama. The inauguration function was also attended by judicial officers of district Pulwama.
A total of 827 cases were taken up by 06 benches in the district out of which 648 cases were settled in the said Lok-Adalat. An amount of Rs. 7,16,49,925 was awarded as settlement amount in all cases including award of Rs. 19,65,000/- in 02 MACT Cases.
At Bandipora, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Bandipora, on Saturday successfully conducted the 2nd National Lok Adalat in the district to mark a significant milestone in the pursuit of accessible and efficient justice for all citizens.
The event was held under the supervision of Khalil Ahmad Choudhary, Chairman, DLSA Bandipora, and guidance of Secretary, DLSA Bandipora.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by several judges, including, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bandipora, Munsiff, Bandipora and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora. Other notable attendees included LADCs, Panel Lawyers, Bar Members, and litigants etc.
A total of 10 benches were constituted that took up a total number of 1242 cases, out of which 685 cases were disposed-off amicably, resulting in a settlement amount of Rs 63,21,250.
At Kulgam, 2nd National Lok Adalat was held today 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 Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chief Judicial Magistrate Kulgam, Munsiff/JMIC Kulgam, Additional Special Mobile Magistrate Kulgam and Bar members of Kulgam.
Six benches were constituted, Four at Head quarter & one each at D.H.Pora and Qazigund each headed by one Judicial Officer.
In the Lok Adalat, a total number of 1552 cases were taken up. Out of which 1067 cases were amicably settled. An amount of Rs. 24,83,400 was awarded as settlement amount.
At Kupwara, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kupwara, under the chairmanship of Manjeet Singh Manhas, Chairman DLSA (Principal District & Sessions Judge) Kupwara and under the guidance of Secretary, DLSA/Sub-Judge Kupwara, successfully organized the 2nd National Lok Adalat across various court complexes of the district today.
The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Manjeet Singh Manhas, Chairman DLSA (Pr. District & Sessions Judge) Kupwara in the presence of Secretary, DLSA/Sub-Judge Kupwara and members of the Bar Associations, at the District Court Complex Kupwara.
Total no. of NINE 09 Benches Number of Benches were Constituted,.
A total of 09 benches were constituted functioning at court complexes in Kupwara, Handwara, Tangdhar, Sogam and Trehgam to settle cases during the National Lok Adalat. The said benches took up 672 cases out of which 401 cases were disposed-off through mutual consent, compromise, and pre-litigation resolution.
Rs. 87,47,100 was awarded as settlement amount reflecting monetary settlements in recovery and compensation.
At Shopian, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Shopian today organized the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year at the District Court Complex, Shopian.
For the smooth conduct of the National Lok Adalat, four benches were constituted by the DLSA Shopian.
A total of 852 cases were taken up during the Adalat. Out of these, 673 cases were amicably settled, reflecting the commitment of DLSA Shopian towards accessible and speedy justice.
The total settlement amount in the resolved cases stood at 2,07,04,085, marking a significant achievement in terms of dispute resolution and financial relief to the concerned parties.
