Maharashtra Lok Adalats bring relief to burdened judiciary, settle 2.7 lakh cases in four hearings

Lok Adalats can settle civil, property, matrimonial and criminal disputes

In a relief to the overburdened courts, Lok Adalats across Maharashtra amicably settled 2.70 lakh cases involving Rs 2,255 crore in its four hearings over the past eight months. These cases were either pending or at pre-litigation stage in Maharashtra courts.

Lok Adalats, also called alternative dispute redressal system, draw their powers from the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 and can settle civil, property, matrimonial and criminal disputes.

As directed by the National Legal Services Authority, Delhi, the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) has held four hearings, the latest on September 9.

In the first hearing on February 11, Lok Adalats disposed of 32,000 pending cases and 48,506 pre-litigation matters. A sum of Rs 508 crore was involved in these cases.

On April 8, the Adalat settled 23,000 pending cases and 29,558 pre-litigation cases involving Rs 407 crore.

As many as 26,000 pending and 20,193 pre-litigation cases came up for hearing on July 8. The settlement amount was Rs 658 crore.

Shrikant Kulkarni, Member Secretary of the MSLSA said, “Lok Adalats have received a good response from people.”