*Chief Justice inaugurates Adalat at DCC Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 14: During the 4th and final National Lok Adalat of 2024, a total of 2,33,048 cases of various types were resolved across Jammu and Kashmir. The event was held under the leadership of Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority. It was also guided by Justice Atul Sreedharan, Executive Chairman of JKLSA, and Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairperson of the High Court Legal Services Committee.
The Chief Justice, along with Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary of JKLSA, officially opened the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex (DCC) Poonch. They were joined by dignitaries including Ashwani Sharma, Principal District and Sessions Judge of Poonch; Ahsan Ullah Parvez Malik, Additional District Judge of Poonch; Vikas Kundal, Deputy Commissioner of Poonch; Shafaqat, Senior Superintendent of Police of Poonch; and Sarfaraz Nawaz, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Poonch. The Chief Justice was welcomed with a ceremonial guard of honour, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
Throughout the Lok Adalat, the Chief Justice inspected various benches and engaged with presiding officers, bench members, advocates, and litigants. In his address, Justice Tashi Rabstan emphasized the crucial role of mediation and alternate dispute resolution (ADR) in the judicial process, noting their cost-effectiveness and potential to maintain relationships.
He stressed the urgency of resolving family disputes swiftly, particularly regarding child custody, stating, “Child custody cases must be prioritized to protect innocent children who are not involved in the litigation. With collaborative efforts from counsel and presiding officers, these issues can be resolved amicably, ensuring justice for the child’s future.” The Chief Justice encouraged judicial officers to seek dispute resolution opportunities at pre-litigation stages to reduce delays.
As he returned from Poonch district, the Chief Justice, alongside Shahzad Azeem and Amit Kumar Gupta, visited the District Court Complex in Rajouri to review the National Lok Adalat’s progress. While inspecting the Lok Adalat, he distributed MACT cheques to claimants and reiterated the advantages of settling disputes through ADR mechanisms in discussions with judicial officers, lawyers, and litigants.
According to reports from various Legal Services Institutions across J&K, out of a total of 2,46,589 cases addressed by 169 benches during the day-long National Lok Adalat in multiple courts, 2,33,048 cases were settled, resulting in a compensation/settlement payout of Rs 70,05,81,106 across motor accident claims, civil and criminal disputes, labor issues, utility bills, land acquisition cases, family matters, cheque dishonor cases, and bank recoveries.
In Jammu district, Justice Sanjeev Kumar Shukla, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex in Janipur. The Principal District and Sessions Judge of Jammu, YP Bourney, was also present. Justice Shukla awarded compensation cheques totaling Rs 3,68,31,050 for motorcycle accident cases to the claimants during the event.
Thirty benches were formed in different courts to handle various civil matters, bank recoveries, compoundable criminal cases, MACT cases, matrimonial issues, NI Act Section 138, revenue cases, BSNL cases, utility bills, and traffic violations at the District Court Complex in Janipur. A total of 84,225 cases were brought forward, with 82,502 cases successfully settled, amounting to Rs 22,74,62,220.
The National Lok Adalat was also conducted at the Munsiff Court in Akhnoor, chaired by TLSA Akhnoor Chairperson Arushi Shukla, where 4,138 NI Act cases were addressed, leading to an on-the-spot settlement of Rs 1,37,000. Thirty-two criminal cases were taken up, with 24 resolved, and fines totaling Rs 12,000 were imposed. Additionally, 4 civil cases were addressed, yielding 2 settlements, with 38 traffic fines also settled amounting to Rs 40,800.
In Udhampur district, the National Lok Adalat took place at the Court Complex, organized into 11 benches. Cases covered several legal areas with a total of 1,422 cases heard, leading to a settlement of 811 cases totaling Rs 1,95,29,966.
In Samba district, the National Lok Adalat was initiated by R N Wattal, Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman DLSA Samba), at the District Court Complex. Three benches were formed to settle both pre-litigation and post-litigation cases. Ultimately, 947 cases were addressed, with 683 cases resolved, yielding a settlement of Rs 1,37,85,160.
The National Lok Adalat in Rajouri district, led by Rajeev Gupta, Chairman DLSA Rajouri (and Principal District & Sessions Judge), managed three benches at the District Court Complex, resulting in 1,095 cases taken up, 712 of which were settled, with total compensation reaching Rs 3,12,58,193.
In Kathua, organized by DLSA Secretary Kamiya Singh Andotra, four benches administered the ADR session, leading to 2,226 cases addressed across various courts, and 2,058 cases were settled, accumulating Rs 1,88,83,887 in settlements.
