First National Lok Adalat of 2026 held across J&K
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Continuing its endeavour to fulfil the constitutional commitment of providing swift, cost-effective, and efficient dispute resolution to the masses in general and the litigant public in particular, the J&K Legal Services Authority under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority), the dynamic leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority and the guidance of Justice Sanjay Dhar, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee organized the first National Lok Adalat for the year 2026 across the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, to promote amicable settlements in a wide range of cases, including MACT claims, matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes, and compoundable criminal offences. As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts across the UT of J&K, out of total 76,707 cases taken up by 194 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat, 67,993 cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs. 55,86,33,017 as compensation/settlement amount in cases like Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, Electricity and Water Bills, Land Acquisition, Family matters, cheque dishonor and Bank Recovery etc.
The First National Lok Adalat of the year 2026 was held at District Court Complex Jammu under the chairmanship of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman of J&K Legal Services Authority, besides under the guidance of R. N. Watal, (Pr. District & Sessions Judge, Jammu) and under the directions of Shazia Tabassum, Member Secretary, Jammu & Kashmir Legal Services Authority and overall supervision of Maleeka Sharma, Secretary District Legal Services Authority Jammu. A total of 6217 cases pertaining to different natures were taken up, of which 4325 cases were settled. The total amount recovered stood at Rs. 22,43,12,358.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Sanjeev Kumar emphasized the importance of National Lok Adalat in the amicable settlement of long pending disputes. “Alternative dispute resolution is a vital tool in the justice delivery system which ensures speedy and one time settlement of disputes,” he added.
Later, Justice Sanjeev Kumar conducted an inspection of various Courts and interacted with the litigants. He encouraged them to take benefit from the National Lok Adalat. Justice Sanjeev Kumar also distributed MACT cheques among the claimants.
The National Lok Adalat took up different kinds of cases. A total of 31 benches were constituted in different Courts to deal with the matters of civil nature, Bank Recovery, Criminal Compoundable, MACT, Matrimonial, NI Act u/s 138, Revenue Cases, BSNL Cases, Other Civil Cases in the District Court Complex Janipur Jammu.
Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Jammu also settled several cases. In Jagmeet Singh & Ors vs Shri Ram Finance Co Ltd case, an amount of Rs. 1,20,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent. In Suriya & Ors Vs Avinash Kour case, the Lok Adalat awarded an amount of Rs. 76,00,000 in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by respondent Shri Ram Finance Co. Ltd.
In Rajni Devi Vs TATA AIG General Insurance Co. case, an amount of Rs. 20,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent.
Additionally, 2 cases were settled by the Addl. Sessions Judge Anti Corruption Jammu (Addl. MACT Jammu). In Bishan Dass Vs Liberty Gen. Insurance, an amount of Rs. 12,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent. Similarly, in Reetu Devi Vs Anayat Ali case, an amount of Rs. 16,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by respondent Iffico Tokio Gen. Insurance.