Third National Lok Adalat In Gujarat Disposes Of Over 2 Lakh Cases, Awards Over Rs. 1000 Crore

Held under the aegis of the National Legal Service Authority (NALSA), the third National Lok Adalat on September 14 in Gujarat saw the disposal of over 2 lakh cases. 

As per a press release issued by the Gujarat State Legal Services Authority, "detailed guidance" was provided by the authority's Patron-in-Chief and high court Chief Justice Sunita Agarwal alongside senior most judge Justice Biren A. Vaishnav, to all District Legal Service Authorities and Taluka Legal Service Committees to ensure that maximum parties benefited from the Lok Adalat.

A total of 3,66,413 pending cases across categories like Motor Accident Compensation cases, Civil Suits, Negotiable Instrument Act Cheque return complaints, Matrimonial Disputes, and Industrial Disputes, were taken up for settlement. Of these, 2,46,867 cases were disposed of and award of Rs. 1300.7 crores was passed. 

Pre-litigation Lok Adalat, which is an important facet of Alternative Dispute Resolution, is slowly picking up momentum in the state, wherein a total of 2,97,246 pre-litigation cases were settled, with a settlement amount of Rs. 89.58 crores. Additionally, 2,57,183 Traffic E-Challan cases were resolved, resulting in a settlement amount of Rs. 15.23 crores.

This Lok Adalat also resolved 3,840 matrimonial disputes pending in courts across Gujarat. The highest number of cases disposed of in the entire state were in the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court, Ahmedabad City.

Under the leadership of the high court's Chief Justice, all District Courts have set up conciliation arrangements to settle 10-year-old cases, leading to the settlement of 1,527 such cases. Looking to the success of this mediation arrangement, the Chief Justice has decided that Special Lok Adalats will be held monthly on a regular basis.

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