Lok Adalats promotes amicable dispute resolution, access to Justice for all: Chief Justice Bhati

CHIEF JUSTICE INAUGURATES 3RD NATIONAL LOK ADALAT AT DISTRICT COURT COMPLEX SRINAGAR

13/09/2026

SRINAGAR, Sep 12: In a significant stride towards delivering timely and amicable justice, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar, successfully organized the 3rd National Lok Adalat of the year 2026 at the District Court Complex Mominabad, Srinagar and Court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate/JMIC Pantha chowk.
The National Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Dr. Pushpendra Singh Bhati Chief Justice of High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief, J&K Legal Services Authority) in presence of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by M.K Sharma Registrar General High Court of J&K and Ladakh, Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority and. Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal District & Sessions Judge/ Chairman, DLSA Srinagar, along with Secretary, DLSA Srinagar and other Judicial Officers of District Court Complex Srinagar.
Moreover, ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented by the Jammu & Kashmir Police, marking a dignified and respectful beginning to the proceedings. Following the guard of honour, a Chinar sapling and a yellow maple sapling was planted by the Chief Guest and Executive Chairman J&K Legal Services Authority, within the court premises, as a gesture towards environmental protection and promotion of a greener and cleaner environment.
The dignitaries visited and observed the functioning of various benches at the District Court Srinagar, offering encouragement to litigants and reinforcing the ethos of participatory justice.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Justice emphasized the transformative role of Lok Adalats in the justice delivery system, stated "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. I encourage the public to actively participate in this initiative for peaceful, timely, and amicable settlements. Justice through Lok Adalats strengthens the very foundation of participatory and compassionate justice."
The Lok Adalat received an enthusiastic response from litigants, a testament to the growing public trust in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. A wide range of cases, including civil matters, matrimonial disputes, criminal compoundable offences, bank recoveries and pre-litigation issues were taken up, with a significant number being resolved on the spot.
To facilitate the amicable settlement of cases, 11 benches were constituted in the district. The Bench where MACT claims were settled was presided over by Mr. Farooq Ahmad Bhat (Add. District & Sessions Judge Sgr) and Mr. Dinesh Gupta 3rd Add. District & Sessions Judge Sgr) in which 85 cases were taken, out of which, 33 cases were amicably settled and Rs 6,72,35,000 were awarded as settlement amount and cheques amounting Rs 3,42,45,000 were on-spot distributed among the claimants by the Chief Justice in presence of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh (Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority), Haq Nawaz Zargar Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar, Ms. Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority and other Ld. Judicial Officers of District Court Srinagar.
The Bench No 05 was presided over by Fida Hussain Nayak (Municipal Magistrate Srinagar) and comprised of Junaid Imtiyaz Mir (Sub-Judge, Srinagar). Out of the 63 cases 19 cases were settled with an amount of Rs. 1,01,24,17,752.
By the concerted efforts of all presiding officers of all the courts, cooperation rendered by the learned advocates and officers of various government departments, insurance companies and banking institutions, a total number of 9,888 cases were taken up by 11 benches in the district, out of which, 9,394 cases were settled in the said Lok-Adalat.
An amount of Rs, 1,11,14,88,832/ (Hunderd-Eleven Crores Fourteen Lakh Eighty-Eight Thousand Eight-Hundred Thirty Two Only ) was awarded as settlement amount in all the cases including award of Rs. 6,72,35,000 in 33 MACT Cases.
The 3rd National Lok Adalat of 2026 witnessed a huge participation of officers and officials from different departments besides litigants. The success of the event reflects the judiciary's commitment to resolve the disputes through mutual understanding and compromise. Such initiatives not only lessen the backlog of cases in the courts but also strengthen the public's faith in the legal system.

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