JAMMU: To oversee the preparations for the upcoming National Lok Adalat scheduled for September 14, 2024, Chief Justice (A) Tashi Rabstan convened a crucial meeting with judges from various courts across the Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh.
The meeting was held in the esteemed presence of Justice Atul Sreedharan, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh, and Executive Chairman of the Ladakh Legal Service Authority.
The primary objective of the meeting was to underscore the importance of the National Lok Adalat in promoting speedy justice and alleviating the burden on the judiciary through amicable case settlements.
During the discussion, Chief Justice Rabstan commended the district judiciary for successfully disposing of 1.43 lakh cases in the 1st National Lok Adalat and 1.22 lakh cases in the 2nd National Lok Adalat, held earlier this year on March9 and May11, 2024, respectively.
He urged judges to prioritize listing the maximum number of cases eligible for settlement through mutual agreement, both at the pre-litigation stage and those pending before various courts and forums.
Emphasizing the significance of Lok Adalats as a timely and cost-effective platform for resolving disputes, Chief Justice Rabstan highlighted their role in providing relief to litigants and fostering a culture of compromise and cooperation.
He called upon the judiciary to collaborate with legal service authorities, lawyers, and other stakeholders to ensure the smooth functioning of the upcoming National Lok Adalat, which marks the third such event of the current calendar year. Justice Rabstan stressed that the success of this initiative relies on proactive efforts from the judiciary and legal community to identify cases suitable for settlement, particularly in family disputes, motor accident claims, property matters, commercial disputes, and petty criminal offenses.
In his concluding remarks, the Chief Justice reaffirmed the importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, like Lok Adalats, in upholding justice and promoting access to justice for all.
He expressed confidence that the judiciary would rise to the occasion and ensure the participation of a wide range of cases for amicable resolution in this National Lok Adalat.
The meeting was also attended by Shahzad Azeem, Registrar General; M.K. Sharma, Principal Secretary to the Chief Justice; Amit Kumar Gupta, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority; Spalzes Angmo, Member Secretary of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority; and Jevan Sharma, Secretary of the High Court Legal Services Authority.
The National Lok Adalat, set to be held across courts in the country, aims to provide relief to countless litigants by facilitating speedy and amicable settlements.