Chief Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Justice Sanjeev Kumar Inaugurate Lok Adalat at Srinagar District Court Complex
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 12:
The 3rd National Lok Adalat of 2026 was held across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir on Saturday, resulting in the amicable settlement of 23,213 cases involving a total settlement and compensation amount of ₹176.22 crore.
The National Lok Adalat was organised by the J&K Legal Services Authority (JKLSA) under the patronage of Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority, and under the leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, with guidance from Justice Sanjay Dhar, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee.
A total of 32,908 cases were taken up by 163 Benches across the Union Territory during the day-long exercise. Of these, 23,213 cases were amicably settled and disposed of, involving a combined settlement/compensation amount of ₹176,22,29,397.
The cases dealt with at the Lok Adalat included Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) matters, matrimonial and family disputes, cheque dishonour cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery cases, commercial disputes, labour disputes, land acquisition matters, electricity and water bill disputes, bank recovery cases and compoundable criminal matters, among others.
Chief Justice Inaugurates Lok Adalat in Srinagar
At the District Court Complex, Srinagar, Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority, jointly inaugurated the National Lok Adalat.
The event assumed added significance as it marked the first National Lok Adalat held after Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati assumed office as Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh.
On their arrival, the dignitaries were received by Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal District & Sessions Judge and Chairperson, DLSA Srinagar, along with Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, and other judicial officers of the district judiciary.
A ceremonial Guard of Honour was also accorded to the Chief Justice.
The Chief Justice and Executive Chairman subsequently visited various Lok Adalat Benches and interacted with Presiding Officers, Bench members, advocates and litigants. They reviewed the proceedings and appreciated the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the event.
MACT Compensation Cheques Distributed
During the proceedings, compensation cheques under Motor Accident Claims Tribunal cases were distributed among eligible claimants, providing timely financial relief to beneficiaries.
The settlement of cases through Lok Adalats enables litigants to resolve disputes through a speedy, cost-effective and consensual mechanism, while reducing the burden of prolonged litigation on courts and parties.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar Highlights Role of Lok Adalats
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, while welcoming the Chief Justice, emphasised the importance of Lok Adalats as an effective mechanism for the swift, amicable and final resolution of disputes.
He urged members of the public to make greater use of Lok Adalats and called upon all stakeholders to continue strengthening the system of consensual dispute resolution and access to justice.
Interacting with media persons, Chief Justice Dr. Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati expressed his appreciation for the efforts of Judicial Officers, Secretaries of DLSAs, advocates, Para Legal Volunteers, court staff and litigants for their participation in the National Lok Adalat.
National Lok Adalat Also Held in Jammu
Meanwhile, Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Jammu.
Tahir Khurshid Raina, Principal District & Sessions Judge, Jammu, along with other judicial officers of the district, received Justice Rajnesh Oswal on the occasion.
The simultaneous conduct of the Lok Adalat across the Union Territory provided litigants with an opportunity to settle a wide range of disputes without undergoing lengthy court proceedings.
4th National Lok Adalat on December 12
Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, informed that the 4th and final National Lok Adalat of the calendar year 2026 will be held on December 12, 2026.
She urged litigants whose cases could not be listed or settled during the present Lok Adalat to avail themselves of the opportunity during the forthcoming National Lok Adalat.(KNC)