New Delhi: The Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA), under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), successfully organized the 3rd National Lok Adalat for the year 2023 in all District Court Complexes, the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, Permanent Lok Adalats, and Tribunals on Sunday, October 8, 2023. The Lok Adalats also included cases pending in the State Consumer Commission and District Consumer Forums.

Shri Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Ld. Member Secretary, DSLSA, stated that DSLSA, under the able stewardship and guidance of Hon'ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Judge, High Court of Delhi & Executive Chairperson, DSLSA, has always endeavored to promote Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques, both at the pre-institutional stage as well as at the litigative stages. He added that a diverse range of cases, such as cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, Criminal Compoundable Cases, Civil Cases, cases pertaining to Motor Accident Claim Tribunal, Bank Recovery matters, Matrimonial Disputes (except divorce cases), Land Acquisition cases, cases involving Labour Disputes, and cases under Arbitration & Conciliation Act, were taken up for disposal this time. Additionally, compoundable traffic challans were also taken up for disposal.

In this National Lok Adalat, Hon'ble Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul, Judge, High Court of Delhi/Executive Chairperson, DSLSA, along with Sh. Sanjay Garg, Ld. Principal District & Sessions Judge, New Delhi District; Sh. Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Ld. Member Secretary, Delhi State Legal Services Authority, and other dignitaries, personally visited the Patiala House Court Complex to oversee the arrangements for the National Lok Adalat. The dignitaries took a round of the Court Complex and interacted with the Judicial Officers as well as other Associate Members presiding over some of the Lok Adalat benches. Hon'ble Executive Chairman Mr. Justice Siddharth Mridul also spared his valuable time to felicitate the transgenders, acid attack victims, and divyang persons who had been deployed as Associate Members at the New Delhi Court Complex.

Shri Mukesh Kumar Gupta, Ld. Member Secretary, DSLSA, also stated that Lok Adalat is an effective means for amicable resolution of disputes in a cost-effective and speedy manner. He submitted that DSLSA has been continuously organizing Lok Adalats, benefiting lakhs of litigants and resulting in the resolution of lakhs of cases throughout Delhi. He added that the Authority is committed to providing Free & Competent Legal Aid to all sections of society, especially the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society. He emphasized that DSLSA once again engaged Transgenders, Senior Citizens, persons with disabilities, people from the North-East region of the country, and Acid Attack victims in the decision-making process by deputing them as Associate Members in Lok Adalat Benches at different Court complexes.

In the Lok Adalat, DSLSA took every care and ensured that there was no overcrowding in any of the court complexes. All the necessary facilities, including the provision of Help Desk, Wheelchairs, ramps, toilets facilities, clean portable water facility, adequate space for bank negotiations and for sitting of the general public in all court complexes and tribunals/forums have been made. Adequate police/security arrangements have also been made, making the Lok Adalat a seamless and hassle-free experience. Special Help Desks were provided at the Entry of each Court Complex for providing any kind of information relating to the Lok Adalats to the people visiting for an amicable solution to their disputes. Adequate arrangements have also been made for providing basic amenities and encouraging people to settle their disputes.

In the seven District Court Complexes, 347 Lok Adalat Benches were constituted to deal with all types of Civil and Criminal Compoundable cases. Transcending past boundaries, a record-breaking 2,48,037 cases have been referred to this National Lok Adalat by the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, Tribunals/Consumer Forums, and all District Courts. This is the highest referral figure in a National Lok Adalat to date.

These cases include 1,70,000 NBT traffic challans; 4,781 traffic challans which were pending in Courts; 56,637 pending cases in various District Courts; 15,390 pre-litigation cases and 1229 cases pending in Hon'ble High Court of Delhi, Debt Recovery Tribunals, Consumer Forums