LEH/KARGIL DEC 13: In its continued commitment to providing timely and affordable justice, the Ladakh Legal Services Authority (LLSA), under the esteemed leadership of Justice Arun Palli, Chief Justice, High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh (Patron-in-Chief), Justice Sindhu Sharma, Executive Chairperson, LLSA, and under the guidance of Justice Rajnesh Oswal, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, organized the 4th and final National Lok Adalat of the calendar year across the Union Territory of Ladakh.
At Leh, the Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Yash Paul Sharma, Member Secretary, LLSA, in the presence of Spalzes Angmo, Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Leh, Judicial Officers, members of the Bar, and litigants.
In his address, the Member Secretary urged the Lok Adalat Bench Members to make concerted efforts to settle the maximum number of cases, particularly those pending for several years. He further encouraged litigants to avail themselves of the opportunity provided by Lok Adalats for the amicable
resolution of disputes.
At Kargil, the Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Shri Sheikh Gowher Hussain, Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority, Kargil, in the presence of the Secretary, DLSA, Judicial Officers, members of the Bar, and litigants.
The initiative aimed at fostering amicable settlement of disputes at both the pre-institution stage as well as those pending before various Courts and Tribunals.
Matters taken up included Motor Accident Claims, matrimonial disputes, cheque dishonour cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery cases, labour disputes, compoundable criminal cases, family matters, and bank recovery cases, thereby reinforcing the motto of ensuring “Access to Justice for All.”
To ensure effective outcomes, pre-Lok Adalat sittings and counselling sessions were organized well in advance, providing the parties with adequate opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue and arrive at mutually acceptable solutions.
Virtual sensitization meetings were also conducted for stakeholders, including LADCs, panel lawyers, PLVs, and officers of Legal Services Institutions, highlighting the significance of Lok Adalat as a preferred forum for Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). As per information received from the Legal Services Institutions of Leh and Kargil districts, out of a total of 865 cases taken up by 10 Benches during the day-long Lok Adalat, 700 cases were amicably settled, resulting in the disposal of disputes involving a settlement amount of Rs. 1,93,46,836.00 towards compensation and recovery in matters such as MACT, civil, criminal, labour, electricity, land acquisition, matrimonial, and bank-related disputes.
Yash Paul Sharma, Member Secretary, LLSA, appreciated the dedicated efforts of all Judicial Officers, Secretaries of the District Legal Services Authorities, advocates, court staff, PLVs, and litigants for their active participation despite the harsh climatic conditions. He emphasized that the large number of settlements reflects the growing public confidence in ADR mechanisms, which offer quicker and more cost-effective alternatives to conventional litigation.
The successful conduct of the 4th and final National Lok Adalat of the calendar year across the Union Territory of Ladakh demonstrates the continued dedication of the Ladakh Legal Services Authority towards ensuring that justice remains accessible, timely, and amicable for all citizens of the Union Territory.
