Patna High Court Seeks State's Response On Permitting Settlement Of Traffic Challans In Lok Adalats
The Patna High Court has asked the State of Bihar to respond on whether traffic challan matters can be taken up for settlement in Lok Adalats.A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha was hearing a writ petition seeking directions to the authorities to issue clear instructions regarding the hearing and settlement of compounding cases relating...
The Patna High Court has asked the State of Bihar to respond on whether traffic challan matters can be taken up for settlement in Lok Adalats.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha was hearing a writ petition seeking directions to the authorities to issue clear instructions regarding the hearing and settlement of compounding cases relating to traffic and motor vehicles, including pending compoundable traffic challans issued to private motor vehicles and their owners, in National Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats established under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.
The petitioners referred to a letter dated 10 September 2025 issued by the District Transport Officer, Patna, to the Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, Patna, stating that traffic challan matters cannot be taken up in National Lok Adalats. It was submitted that in several other States, traffic challan matters are regularly taken up in National Lok Adalats in accordance with instructions issued by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
The petitioners further relied on the Manual for District Legal Services Authorities, 2023, which notes that in Special Lok Adalats, Magistrates may be asked to dispose of petty matters under various Acts, including traffic challans. It was contended that when lakhs of traffic challan cases are disposed of across the country in every National Lok Adalat, there is no justification for not taking up such matters in Bihar.
Taking note that the next National Lok Adalat is scheduled to be held on 14 March 2026, the Court directed the State counsel to obtain necessary instructions on the issue.
Title: Rani @ Rani Tiwari v. State of Bihar & Ors.
Case Number: Civil Writ Jurisdiction Case No. 20071 of 2025
Appearance: Mr. Vikash Kumar Pankaj appeared for the Petitioner. Mr. P.K. Verma and Mr. Sanjay Kumar Ghosarvey appeared for the Respondents.