Bareilly: The National Lok Adalat held in Bareilly successfully disposed of 227,243 cases through mutual settlement and compromise, with orders involving a total amount of ₹39.21 crore, according to the District Legal Services Authority.
The National Lok Adalat was organised under the directions of the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, and the Uttar Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Lucknow. District Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Bareilly, Pradeep Kumar Singh-II, formally inaugurated the proceedings by offering flowers and lighting the ceremonial lamp before the idols of Goddess Saraswati and Lord Ganesha.
Judicial officers, representatives of banks and insurance companies, advocates and officials participated in the Lok Adalat and facilitated the settlement of pending cases.
Additional District Judge and National Lok Adalat Nodal Officer Uma Shankar Kahar said 227,243 cases were successfully resolved, with orders passed involving ₹392,088,684.
The sessions courts disposed of 810 cases and ordered fines totalling ₹2,037,200, while civil courts settled 1,107 cases involving fines of ₹120,729. Criminal courts disposed of 92,535 cases, with fines amounting to ₹1,048,741.
The Family Courts also played a significant role in resolving disputes between couples. A total of 239 couples reached settlements through the Lok Adalat. Principal Judge Mohammad Ashraf Ansari facilitated settlements in 159 cases, while Additional Principal Judge Sanjay Kumar Singh disposed of 80 cases.
The Lok Adalat also addressed cases before specialised courts. LARA courts disposed of two cases involving settlements worth ₹678,527. The Commercial Court settled six cases involving ₹11,485,405, while the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) disposed of 296 cases involving settlement orders worth ₹197,014,000. The Permanent Lok Adalat settled five cases involving ₹3,779,500.
Administrative authorities disposed of 39,766 cases. The Regional Transport Department settled 697 matters involving ₹1,067,100. The Police Department disposed of 60,491 cases, including 37,632 e-challans, involving fines totalling ₹46,303,700.
The Canal Court settled nine cases involving ₹400, while the Consumer Forum disposed of 27 cases involving ₹8,949,101. The Labour Court and Labour Office resolved 42 cases involving ₹35,601,197. The Bareilly Development Authority disposed of 12 cases, while the Health Department settled 2,135 cases and the Municipal Corporation resolved 12,035 matters.
Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited settled 60 cases involving ₹274,084, while the District Panchayati Raj Officer disposed of 15,254 cases. Across various courts and through the office of the Superintendent of Police (Traffic), Bareilly, a total of 125,126 e-challans were disposed of during the National Lok Adalat.
District Legal Services Authority secretary Jaya Priyadarshini said 25 benches were constituted at the district court premises specifically for bank-related cases. Various banks settled 1,715 loan-related cases, resulting in the recovery of ₹83,729,000.
The Lok Adalat also featured initiatives aimed at public awareness and social empowerment. Handicraft products prepared by inmates of Central Jail-I, Bareilly, and medicinal plants grown by inmates of Central Jail-II/District Jail, Bareilly, were displayed and sold.
Products prepared by self-help groups, along with items promoted under the One District One Product (ODOP) and One District One Cuisine initiatives, were also exhibited, sold and promoted at the venue.
Artists from Rang Vinayak Rangmandal, Bareilly, students of Invertis University and students from other educational institutions conducted street plays on the court premises to spread legal and social awareness among visitors.
A dedicated help desk was also established at the Lok Adalat venue to assist members of the public and provide information. Para-legal volunteers and Legal Aid Defence Counsel were available to guide visitors and help them access legal assistance.
Jaya Priyadarshini said the successful conduct of the National Lok Adalat was made possible through the coordinated efforts of judicial officers, bank and insurance officials, court staff, para-legal volunteers and media personnel.
From Bareilly: Akhilesh Chandra Saxena
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