Chief Justice inaugurates 4th National Lok Adalat at Poonch
With the aim of resolving and providing quick, affordable as well as hassle-free resolution of disputes, the 4th and final National Lok Adalat of 2024 was held on Saturday throughout Jammu and Kashmir, officials said.
Justice Tashi Rabstan, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh, inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Poonch.
An official spokesperson said during the Lok Adalat, the Chief Justice inspected different benches and interacted with the presiding officers, members of the benches, advocates and litigants.
Addressing a gathering, Justice Tashi Rabstan emphasised the importance of deciding the matters of family disputes at the earliest, especially those of custody. “Child custody cases require utmost priority as they affect innocent children who have no role in the litigation. With collective efforts of counsels and presiding officers, these disputes can be settled amicably, ensuring justice and a better future for the child,” he said.
He further urged judicial officers to explore possibilities of dispute resolution at the pre-litigation stage to minimise delays.
As part of the event, various departments, including horticulture, agriculture, health and social welfare, set up awareness stalls to educate and assist the public, the spokesperson said.
On his way back from Poonch, the Chief Justice also visited District Court Complex, Rajouri, to have first-hand information regarding the progress of National Lok Adalat.
During the inspection of the Lok Adalat, the Chief Justice, in an interaction with the judicial officers, lawyers and litigants, highlighted the benefits of settlement of disputes through ADR mechanisms.
The spokesperson said as per the information received from different Legal Services Institutions of various districts of J&K, out of total 2,46,589 cases taken up by 169 Benches in the day-long National Lok Adalat at various courts across the UT, 2,33,048 cases were disposed of as settled and an amount of Rs 70,05,81,106/- was awarded as compensation/settlement amount in motor accident claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, electricity and water bills cases, land acquisition, family matters, cheque dishonour and bank recovery cases.
