Jammu: The first National Lok Adalat of the year 2026 was held on Saturday at the District Court Complex Jammu under the aegis of the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority.
The Lok Adalat was organised under the visionary leadership of Chief Justice Arun Palli of the High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, who is also the Patron-in-Chief of the J&K Legal Services Authority, and under the chairmanship of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority. The event was held under the guidance of R. N. Watal, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Jammu, and as per the directions of Shazia Tabassum, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, with overall supervision by Maleeka Sharma, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority Jammu.
A total of 6217 cases pertaining to different natures were taken up, of which 4325 cases were settled. The total amount recovered stood at Rs 22,43,12,358.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman of J&K Legal Services Authority, inaugurated the National Lok Adalat 2026.
Speaking on the occasion, Justice Sanjeev Kumar emphasised the importance of the National Lok Adalat in the amicable settlement of long-pending disputes. “Alternative dispute resolution is a vital tool in the justice delivery system, which ensures speedy and one-time settlement of disputes,” he added.
Later, Justice Sanjeev Kumar conducted an inspection of various Courts and interacted with the litigants. He encouraged them to take benefit from the National Lok Adalat. Justice Sanjeev Kumar also distributed MACT cheques among the claimants.
The National Lok Adalat took up different kinds of cases. A total of 31 benches were constituted in different Courts to deal with the matters of civil nature, Bank Recovery, Criminal Compoundable, MACT, Matrimonial, NI Act u/s 138, Revenue Cases, BSNL Cases, and Other Civil Cases in the District Court Complex, Janipur, Jammu.
Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Jammu, also settled several cases. In Jagmeet Singh & Ors vs Shri Ram Finance Co Ltd case, an amount of Rs 1,20,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent. In Suriya & Ors Vs Avinash Kour case, the Lok Adalat awarded an amount of Rs 76,00,000 in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by respondent Shri Ram Finance Co. Ltd.
In the Rajni Devi Vs TATA AIG General Insurance Co. case, an amount of Rs 20,00,000/- was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent.
Additionally, 2 cases were settled by the Addl. Sessions Judge Anti-Corruption Jammu (Addl. MACT Jammu). In Bishan Dass Vs Liberty Gen. Insurance, an amount of Rs. 12,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by the respondent. Similarly, in Reetu Devi Vs Anayat Ali case, an amount of Rs. 16,00,000 was awarded in favour of the claimant after settlement. The amount was paid as compensation by respondent Iffico Tokio Gen. Insurance.
