Refer matrimonial cases to mediation centers: District sessions judge

In the wake of recent apex court guidelines, the district and sessions Judge HS Madaan has directed the police authorities to refer all matrimonial dispute cases to mediation centers at the district courts to settle dispute through mediation by trained mediators.

Presently, the Punjab police refer matrimonial complaints to women police stations. Here the police conduct counselling of "complainant" and "accused" to settle the matrimonial dispute.

However, now the apex court has said that the police should refer all cases to mediation centers at the districts courts.

Chairing the meeting of the District Legal Service Authority, Madaan said that several matrimonial dispute cases, could be settled through mutual understanding. But when the parties concerned reach police stations, it caused distress and there were bleak chances of mutual understanding. Thus, the court had issued directions to settle such disputes at the earliest.

Meanwhile, the district sessions judge also informed that a lok adalat would be held in July. He appealed to the public to bring their cases in Lok Adalat for speedy justice.

Deputy commissioner Priyank Bharti, additional district sessions judge Rajinder Aggarwal, chief judicial magistrate Kapil Aggarwal, were also present.