Leh: In a continued pursuit of delivering timely and affordable justice, the Ladakh Legal Services Authority, under the distinguished leadership of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Arun Palli, The Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, Ladakh Legal Services Authority), Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sindhu Sharma, Executive Chairman, Ladakh Legal Services Authority, and under the guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, today organized the 2nd National Lok Adalat of the current calendar year across the Union Territory of Ladakh.
The event was inaugurated virtually by the Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sindhu Sharma, Judge, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh and Executive Chairperson of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority.
In her address, Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sindhu Sharma underscored the significance of Lok Adalats as vital instruments for delivering swift and accessible justice to the people, while also reducing the burden on regular Courts. Hon’ble Justice Sindhu Sharma commended the efforts of Ladakh Legal Services Authority in ensuring the success of this important initiative.
This initiative is aimed to foster amicable settlements in a wide range of disputes, both at pre-institution stage and those pending before the various Courts and Tribunals. The cases included motor accident claims, matrimonial issues, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, recoverysuits, compoundable criminal cases etc.
To facilitate maximum dispute settlements, pre Lok Adalat sittings and pre-counselling sessions were organized well in advance, giving parties ample opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue so asto reach out to mutually agreeable resolutions. Additionally, virtual meetings were conducted to sensitize stakeholderssuch as officers of Legal Services Institutions, LADCs, Panel Lawyers, PLVs and others involved in strengthening Alternate Dispute Resolution Mechanisms. These sessions emphasized the significance of Lok Adalat and encouraged parties to take full advantage of this platform.
As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in Leh and Kargil Districts of UT of Ladakh, out of the 601 total number of cases taken up by 11 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat across the UT of Ladakh, 472 number cases were amicably settled and disposed of involving settlement amount of Rs. 2,46,17,000/- paid as compensation etc. in cases pertaining to Motor Accident claims, Civil, Criminal Compoundable cases, Labour cases, Electricity and Land Acquisition cases, Family matters, Cheque Bounce cases, Bank Recovery cases etc.
Mr. Manoj Parihar, Member Secretary, Ladakh Legal Services Authority appreciated the dedicated efforts of all the Judicial Officers, Secretaries of DLSAs, Advocates, staff of the District, Tehsil Courts and Legal Services Institutions as well as the litigants for their wholehearted participation in the National Lok Adalat. He further highlighted that the high participation and settlement of disputes is a testament to the public’s preference for resolving disputes through ADR mechanisms, which offer a quick and more affordable alternative to litigation resolution.
The success of 2nd National Lok Adalat of the year demonstrates the continued dedication of Ladakh Legal Services Authority in ensuring that justice is accessible, timely and amicable for all citizens of the Union Territory.
