A record 55,000 cases were settled in the two month-long National Lok Adalat held between September 1 and December 6. Of this nearly 5,000 cases were settled on Saturday.
All judicial officers, including Principal District and Sessions Judge Uma M.G., were involved in settling cases on Saturday. After adjourning cases in their respective courts, the judges and magistrates heard litigants — some of who were yet to come before the court — and their legal representatives, in settlement of cases.
The notable feature of this National Lok Adalat — the second to be held during the year — has been the marked increase in settlement, with 42,880 pre-litigation cases (those yet to reach the courts) being closed.
Of them, 37,854 are related to traffic offences such as jumping signals and not wearing helmets.
“These cases generally turn into criminal case that have to be closed after the accused pays fine. All such cases were brought before the Lok Adalat and were closed after accepting fine,” said Ms. Uma. She added that this has reduced the burden on the Magistrate courts.
Among the other pre-litigation cases settled included 2,909 cases pending before tahsildars, Assistant Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners, 559 cases related to non-payment of loan, 476 related to municipalities and 407 related to telecom firms. Of the 432 bounced cheque cases that were settled, one person agreed to pay Rs. 37 lakh in a case.
Ms. Uma said there had been good cooperation from departments such as the revenue, excise, commercial tax, police and municipal bodies in the settlement of cases. Her fellow colleagues in judiciary and advocates had put in extra efforts and worked one hour more than the judicial hours every day to help achieve the objectives of the National Lok Adalat, she said.
