Key Points
- Over 1.11 lakh cases settled across 145 benches in single day Lok Adalat
- Rs 109.36 crore disbursed in settlements to litigants in Himachal Pradesh
- Digital payment facility enabled for motor vehicle challan compounding fees
The National Lok Adalat held across Himachal Pradesh settled 1,11,219 cases out of 1,46,825 taken up for hearing, achieving a disposal rate of over 75 per cent in a single day. The 145 benches operating across all courts in the state disbursed approximately Rs 109.36 crore in settlements to litigants.
Lok Adalats are alternative dispute resolution forums where pending court cases and pre-litigation disputes are settled amicably between parties. Unlike regular court proceedings, settlements reached at Lok Adalats are final and binding, with no provision for appeal, making them a faster and less expensive route to justice for citizens.
The settlement drive was organised on the directions of Himachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (HPSLSA) patron-in-chief and High Court Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia. Justice Vivek Singh Thakur, High Court judge and executive chairman of HPSLSA, oversaw the proceedings.
Justice Thakur and Ranjeet Singh, member secretary of HPSLSA, visited the Judicial Court Complex in Shimla to review the Lok Adalat proceedings. Justice Thakur interacted with judicial officers and reviewed arrangements to ensure smooth disposal of cases.
Digital payments
The Lok Adalat introduced online payment facilities for compounding fees, a significant step towards digitising court fee collection. The ePay system, integrated with the eCourts Digital Payment platform, was made available particularly for motor vehicle challan cases handled by Traffic Magistrates.
Motor vehicle challans, which are traffic violation penalties, constitute a large volume of cases at Lok Adalats. The digital payment option allows violators to pay compounding fees without visiting court premises physically, reducing the administrative burden on both litigants and court staff.
By the numbers
Key figures from this story- 1,11,219
- Cases settled in single day Lok Adalat
- Rs 109.36 crore
- Amount disbursed in settlements
- 145
- Benches operating across Himachal Pradesh
HPSLSA conducted awareness campaigns to inform the public about Lok Adalat benefits. The outreach used SMS alerts, radio jingles and information, education and communication materials distributed through local bodies, non-governmental organisations, panchayati raj institution representatives and para-legal volunteers.
The National Lok Adalat is held periodically across all states and union territories under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority. These adalats handle a wide range of matters including motor accident claims, matrimonial disputes, labour cases, bank recovery matters and compoundable criminal offences.
The high settlement rate in Himachal Pradesh shows the effectiveness of pre-adalat counselling and awareness drives in bringing parties to the negotiating table. For litigants, Lok Adalats offer resolution without the uncertainty, expense and delay of regular court proceedings that can stretch over years.
Your Questions, Answered
How many cases were settled at the National Lok Adalat in Himachal Pradesh?
The National Lok Adalat settled 1,11,219 cases out of 1,46,825 taken up for hearing across 145 benches in Himachal Pradesh, achieving a disposal rate of over 75 per cent.
What is a Lok Adalat and how does it benefit litigants?
A Lok Adalat is an alternative dispute resolution forum where pending court cases and pre-litigation disputes are settled amicably. Settlements are final and binding with no appeal provision, offering faster and less expensive justice than regular court proceedings.
How much money was disbursed in settlements at the Himachal Pradesh Lok Adalat?
Approximately Rs 109.36 crore was disbursed in settlements to litigants during the National Lok Adalat held across Himachal Pradesh.
Can traffic challan fees be paid online at Lok Adalats?
Yes, the Himachal Pradesh Lok Adalat introduced online payment facilities through ePay, the eCourts Digital Payment platform, particularly for motor vehicle challan cases in Traffic Magistrate courts.
