First Online Lok Adalat Organized In Manipur

Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Judge, High Court of Manipur & Executive Chairman, MASLSA inaugurated the said E/online Lok Adalat through virtual ceremony. Smt. Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Member Secretary, MASLSA gave a welcome address to all present.

In his inaugural address, Mr. Justice Kh. Nobin Singh, Executive Chairman, MASLSA said that this online Lok Adalat is organized with the aim to generate awareness to the public regarding this new approach to settle disputes through the online mechanism and other electronic means. The concept of Online Lok Adalat has been necessitated due to various restrictions in the normal functioning of all the institutions in the country due to COVID-19 pandemic.

The Lok Adalat bench comprises of Shri Ojesh Mutum, Addl. Sessions Judge, First Track Court, Crime Against Women, Manipur as Chairman and Shri Ch. Momon Singh, Advocate as Member. Shri P. Ibomcha Singh, Advocate and Shri Sapam Jivan Singh, Advocates were present in the online Lok Adalat representing their respective parties. Amongst the claimants, Ms. Hejang Haokip and Ms. Kimneichong Khongsai were present and the rest were represented by counsels. Shri Naorem Ibomcha Singh, Divisional Manager, National Insurance Company Ltd. was also present in the proceedings.

In the online Lok Adalat, 12 cases concerning Motor Accident Claims cases pending before the MACT, Manipur were taken up, out of which 7 cases were settled harmoniously. As per the petitions, the total claimed amount for compensation was 2.90 crores; and after due deliberations between the claimants and the Insurance Company, the matter was settled amicably on the terms and conditions agreed upon by the parties in the presence of the Chairman and the Member of the Bench.

MASLSA is thankful to the Presiding Officer and staff of MACT, Judicial Officers, ld. Advocates, all the parties, Officials of National Insurance Company Ltd, News and Print Media for making this programme a success.

During this pandemic, the role of Legal Services Institutions has become all the more important and all the Legal Services functionaries in the state are constantly striving to ensure justice is accessible in such unprecedented times. In order to ameliorate the situation, a broad range of legal services are being provided by the Legal Services Institutions to the needy including victims of domestic violence, daily wagers, tenants, undertrials, convicts, migrants and all other marginalized sections of the society.

The concept of Online Lok Adalat is one such approach, which is reflective of the innovative approach being adopted by MASLSA since the onset of the pandemic.

Introduction of e-Lok Adalat will give new momentum to Lok Adalats in India. However, the crucial challenge lies in popularizing the idea of e-Lok Adalat at the grass-root level. It is thus requested to all the News and Print Media to give wider dissemination of the concept of e-Lok Adalat as well as availability of legal services and Legal Services Institutions in general so that access to justice is enabled for all