Over 6.55 lakh cases settled in Lok Adalats in 2025
*LADCS, legal clinics ensuring timely justice
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 17: In a major boost to access to justice, Jammu and Kashmir has registered remarkable progress in legal aid delivery during 2025, with official figures showcasing a robust system that is reaching lakhs of people, resolving disputes swiftly and strengthening grassroots legal awareness across all districts.
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As per the official data, a total of 701 applications for legal aid were received during the year 2025, out of which 129 were formally registered while only 22 cases remain pending, reflecting a system that is actively processing requests and minimizing delays.
At the heart of this transformation is the Legal Aid Defence Counsel System (LADCS), now operational across all districts of J&K. The LADCS offices provide free legal services in criminal cases from the initial stage of the criminal justice process up to the appellate stage.
The primary objective of LADCS is to ensure the provision of qualitative, efficient and professional legal aid to eligible persons thereby strengthening the overall administration and implementation of legal aid services.
The system has handled a substantial volume of criminal matters, including 131 Sessions cases and 256 other criminal cases, besides disposing of 6,617 remand matters. In addition, a large number of bail applications were effectively dealt with, including 512 under Section 437 CrPC, 104 under Section 438 CrPC and 301 under Section 439 CrPC, ensuring timely legal representation to those in need.
The panel of 555 empanelled lawyers has also played a crucial role, disposing of 687 cases during the year. Complementing their efforts, 579 Para Legal Volunteers (PLVs) and a network of 256 legal aid clinics extended assistance to 36,966 beneficiaries, taking legal services deep into rural and underserved areas.
One of the standout achievements has been the performance of Lok Adalats conducted under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NLSA). During 2025, four National Lok Adalats disposed of an impressive 6,55,754 cases including 3,51,333 pre-litigation and 3,04,421 post-litigation cases, with a total settlement amount of Rs 2,46,49,17,229.
In addition, Special and General Lok Adalats held throughout the year contributed significantly to dispute resolution, disposing of 33,200 cases in January, 30,713 in February, 52 in April, 121 in June, 838 in October and 1,082 in November, further easing the burden on regular courts.
The legal aid system has particularly benefited vulnerable sections, with 24,552 individuals receiving assistance. This includes 1,899 Scheduled Caste beneficiaries, 1,661 Scheduled Tribes, 6,106 women, 2,830 children, 3,044 persons in custody, 468 persons with disabilities, 5,991 beneficiaries under the income category, and 1,918 others, reflecting a strong commitment to inclusive justice.
Simultaneously, an extensive legal awareness campaign has been carried out across the Union Territory. A total of 4,908 awareness programmes were conducted, reaching 2,50,349 people. The structured implementation of various NALSA schemes, establishment of front offices at High Courts and District Legal Services Authorities and continuous monitoring and review mechanisms further strengthen accountability and citizen interface.
Additionally, 206 Legal Literacy Clubs, including 95 model clubs, have been established to educate young minds and communities about their rights and responsibilities. To enhance accessibility, 22 front offices have been set up, including at the High Court wings in Srinagar and Jammu, along with district-level offices. These centers are functioning as single-window platforms, enabling citizens to seek legal advice, file applications, and access support services with ease.
Further strengthening the system, the Victim Compensation Scheme has provided relief to 16 victims, with Rs 38,37,500 disbursed, highlighting the administration’s focus on supporting those affected by crime.
Overall, the data reflects a well-coordinated, efficient, and citizen-centric legal aid framework in Jammu and Kashmir, where institutional mechanisms, outreach programmes, and legal infrastructure are working in tandem to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and equitably.
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