SRINAGAR: Continuing its endeavour to fulfil the constitutional commitment of providing swift, cost-effective, and efficient dispute resolution to the masses in general and the litigant public in particular, the J&K Legal Services Authority organized the 3rd National Lok Adalat of the year 2025 across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir, to promote amicable settlements in a wide range of cases, including MACT claims, matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, commercial disputes, and compoundable criminal offences.
The 3rd National Lok Adalat was organised under the patronage of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority), the dynamic leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority,
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority, inaugurated the 3rd National Lok Adalat at the District Court Complex, Kupwara. Upon his arrival, the Executive Chairman was received by Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Additional District & Sessions Judge NIA Court Kupwara, Iqbal Ahmad Masoodi, along with the other Judicial Officers of the District Judiciary and other civil administration. To mark the occasion, a ceremonial guard of honour was accorded to Justice Sanjeev Kumar.
During his visit, Justice Sanjeev Kumar inspected different benches and interacted with the Presiding officers, members of the benches, Advocates and litigants and appreciated the arrangements made for the smooth conduct of the Lok Adalat. Several cases were resolved on the spot. As a gesture of timely justice delivery, several MACT compensation cheques were also distributed among eligible claimants on the occasion, providing immediate relief to the beneficiaries.
At the ADR Centre of the Court Complex, Justice Sanjeev Kumar convened an interaction with LADCs and Penal Lawyers. He sought feedback regarding the progress of cases handled by them and urged them to work with greater dedication and enthusiasm to ensure timely hearings and speedy settlement of cases, thereby minimising pendency.
Later in the day, Justice Sanjeev Kumar visited District Jail Kupwara, where he inspected all barracks and interacted with inmates to assess the status of their cases. He also reviewed the facilities being provided in the jail, including food and healthcare arrangements, and obtained feedback directly from the inmates.
As per the information received from various Legal Services Institutions working in different districts across the UT of J&K, out of total 3,06, 851cases taken up by 167 Benches in the day long National Lok Adalat, 2,39,533cases were amicably settled and disposed off involving an amount of Rs 50,50,78,932/-as compensation/settlement amount in cases like Motor Accident Claims, civil, criminal, labour disputes, Electricity and Water Bills, Land Acquisition, Family matters, cheque dishonor and Bank Recovery etc.
Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, informed that the 4th National Lok Adalat of the current calendar year shall be held on December 13, 2025, and those litigants who could not get their cases either listed in today’s Lok Adalat or could not settle the same for any reason can avail the opportunity in the next Lok Adalat.