23,213 cases settled across J&K
SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 12: Lok Adalats save time, reduce litigation costs and foster goodwill among disputing parties, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati said on Saturday, describing the forum as a platform that creates a “win-win situation” for all parties.
“Lok Adalat is not just a mechanism for resolving disputes, it is a platform that creates a win-win situation for all parties involved. It saves time, reduces litigation costs, and fosters goodwill,” Justice Bhati said while inaugurating the third National Lok Adalat of 2026 at the District Court Complex, Mominabad, Srinagar.
The Chief Justice, who is also Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority, urged the public to actively participate in the initiative for peaceful, timely and amicable settlement of disputes.
“Justice through Lok Adalats strengthens the very foundation of participatory and compassionate justice,” he said.
The third National Lok Adalat was held across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, with 32,908 cases taken up by 163 benches and 23,213 cases amicably settled or disposed of, involving a total settlement and compensation amount of Rs 176.22 crore.
The cases taken up included MACT matters, matrimonial disputes, cheque dishonour cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes and compoundable criminal cases, besides civil and criminal matters, labour disputes, electricity and water bill cases, land acquisition matters and family disputes.
At Srinagar, 11 benches took up 9,888 cases, of which 9,394 were settled, involving a total settlement amount of Rs 111.14 crore.
The MACT bench took up 85 cases and settled 33, with Rs 6.72 crore awarded as compensation. Cheques amounting to Rs 3.42 crore were distributed on the spot among the beneficiaries.
Justice Bhati inaugurated the Srinagar proceedings along with Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the High Court and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority. It was the first National Lok Adalat held in the Union Territory after Justice Bhati assumed office as Chief Justice.
Justice Bhati and Justice Sanjeev Kumar were received by Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman, DLSA Srinagar, Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, and other judicial officers.
A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented by the J&K Police.
The Chief Justice and Executive Chairman visited various Lok Adalat benches and interacted with judicial officers, advocates and litigants. They encouraged the participants to make effective use of the forum for speedy and amicable resolution of disputes.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar said Lok Adalats provided an effective mechanism for the speedy, amicable and final resolution of disputes without prolonged litigation. He urged the public to avail themselves of the facility for settlement of their cases.
The Srinagar proceedings also included the planting of Chinar and yellow maple saplings by the Chief Justice and Executive Chairman.
The National Lok Adalat was conducted under the patronage of Dr Justice Pushpendra Singh Bhati, Chief Justice and Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority, and the leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, with the guidance of Justice Sanjay Dhar, Chairperson, High Court Legal Services Committee.
In Jammu, Justice Rajnesh Oswal inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex.
The J&K Legal Services Authority said the exercise involved the participation of judicial officers, DLSA secretaries, advocates, Para Legal Volunteers, staff and litigants across the Union Territory.
Shazia Tabasum said the fourth and final National Lok Adalat of 2026 will be held on December 12.
