1st Mega Lok Adalat settles 600 cases in Kashmir

Srinagar, Mar 4: In the first Mega Lok Adalat since independence, 600 different cases were settled here during the day long hearing in the Jammu and Kashmir High Court.

The Adalat took about 1900 cases relating to matrimonial, civil, consumer and accidental claims. However, 600 cases were settled through negotiation and mutual understanding and compensation of Rs 2.50 crore awarded to the claimants.

The Adalat also directed the Life Insurance Company (LIC) to pay 11 lakh as compensation to the claimants.

Similar Adalat was held in Jammu, the winter capital of the state.

Jammu and Kashmir High Court Chief Justice Bashir Ahmad Khan while inaugurating the Mega Lok Adalat stressed the need for speedy disposal of pending cases in subordinate courts.

Justice Khan described the conduct of Lok Adalats timely and well conceived adding that such steps had not only facilitated quick disposal of cases but also helped in upholding the authority of law, besides registering spectacular achievements in providing free legal aid to needy at their doorsteps.

He urged the Judges and legal functionaries to study the cases thoroughly and look for real facts before deciding a case.

Justice Khan said that time had gained such a great importance in today's fast developing world that a person did not want to waste a single moment on petty and insignificant issues. Under the prevailing scenario, it was obligatory for the judiciary not to drag the cases and instead evolve an effective mechanism for their expeditious settlement.

On the occasion, it was informed that since October 2005, Rs 9 crore had been released in favour of Subordinate Courts which was distributed among the claimants as compensation while Rs 5 crore were distributed among the claimants by Mega Lok Adalat held at Jammu.

Present on the occasion were Justice V.P. Malhotra, Justice Manzoor Ahmad Mir, Legal Secretary, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Fida, Judges of Subordinate Courts besides a sizeable number of lawyers and litigants.

UNI