Read Time: 04 minutes

Synopsis

Breaking the records of previous years, more than 75 lakh pre litigation cases, 25 lakh pending cases were disposed of at the third National Lok Adalat of 2022 held on August 13, breaching the 1 crore mark. The total value of the settlement amount was recorded at Rupees 90 billion.

Under the aegis of Chief Justice of India-designate, Justice U.U. Lalit, who is the executive chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the 3rd Lok Adalat was held in all the States and Union Territories except Delhi. Lok Adalat in Delhi would be organised on 21 August.

Further, according to a press release issued by NALSA, the Lok Adalat witnessed a historic moment where a criminal appeal was resolved through video conferencing.

"In a case before the Division Bench No-24 of Presiding Officer, Ankita Tigga, one of the accused had died and the applicant had also died. The legal heir of the deceased applicant, his daughter, who was currently residing in "Scotlad", was interrogated through video conferencing after which the case was closed on the basis of an amicable settlement," the press release states. 

The press release further highlights that to ensure a cordial organisation of Lok Adalat throughout the country, Justice Lalit himself interacted with the State Legal Services Authorities to keep track of the progress of the developments.

"This year the objective of NALSA which has always been to promote speedy and affordable justice for common man has reached one step ahead by recording such figures and this has been made possible only due to His Lordship’s relentless efforts and motivation," it states. 

Earlier in the second National Lok Adalat, a total of 95,78,209 cases were settled with a total settlement amount of ₹ 9,422 crore.

National Lok Adalats get organised by NALSA every quarter to take up pending civil cases, compoundable criminal cases and matrimonial cases excluding divorce.

These Adalats are seen as alternate dispute resolution mechanism to provide easy, economical, informal access to Justice to litigants, specially those from the poorer sections of society.