DSLSA Announces 4th National Lok Adalat On December 10 : Justice Across Delhi's Courts & Tribunals
LIVELAW NEWS NETWORK
9 Dec 2023 8:02 AM GMT
As per Section 19 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 and as per mandate of National Legal Services Authority, DSLSA has announced the 4th National Lok Adalat scheduled to take place on 10th December, 2023, in all the Court Complexes of Delhi, High Court of Delhi and various Tribunals. The upcoming National Lok Adalat, will address a broad spectrum of cases, demonstrating DSLSA's commitment to providing comprehensive legal remedies. The cases include Labour Disputes, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal cases, Cheque Dishonour Cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, Civil Cases, Land Acquisition Cases, Plea Bargaining, Criminal Compoundable Offences, Arbitration Cases, Matrimonial cases, and matters related to Electricity and Water Bills (excluding non-compoundable theft cases). Across twelve districts, around 309 Lok Adalat benches are constituted to address a wide spectrum of cases, including Civil, Criminal Compoundable Cases, and Traffic Challans, out of which 177 benches will solely deal with Traffic Challans. To mitigate court congestion during the organization of the National Lok Adalat, litigants were instructed to procure and print their challan slips from the dedicated weblink available on both the Delhi Traffic Police Portal and the DSLSA website. This process empowered litigants to select their preferred Court Complex, Court Number, and Time Slot during the challan slip generation phase. A total of approximately 1,77,00 challans were generated. A substantial number of approximately 39,493 cases have been referred for resolution in the upcoming National Lok Adalat.
Noteworthy among these is the inclusion of Plea Bargaining and Criminal Compoundable Offences. Plea Bargaining, as defined under Section 265-A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC), 1973, is a negotiated agreement between the prosecution and the accused, where the accused agrees to plead guilty to a lesser sentence or punishment through a Mutually Satisfactory Disposition. This innovative mechanism expedites the resolution of criminal cases, reducing the burden on the judicial system. Similarly, Criminal Compoundable Offences, governed by Section 320 of the CrPC, are offences where the victim's consent allows for the discharge or acquittal of the accused. In the Lok Adalat setting, these provisions play a crucial role in fostering conciliation and ensuring a fair and speedy resolution of disputes. This inclusive approach underscores DSLSA's recognition of the diverse legal needs of the community and its commitment to ensuring justice in various spheres.
DSLSA has taken a proactive stance in fostering inclusivity by involving marginalized and underrepresented section of society in the decision-making process through their appointment as 'Associate Members.' In this regard, for the upcoming National Lok Adalat, the initiative has been expanded to include Transgenders, Senior Citizens, Acid Attack Victims, Specially Abled individuals, Flood Victims, Sex Workers, and people from the North-Eastern region of the country as Associate Members.
Lok Adalats, as envisioned by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, serve as a significant pillar in ensuring justice for all. It stands as a highly efficient avenue for the amicable resolution of disputes, offering a cost-effective and expeditious alternative. The Delhi State Legal Services Authority has consistently organized Lok Adalats, yielding substantial advantages for numerous litigants and leading to the resolution of a multitude of cases across the entirety of Delhi. DSLSA has consistently strived to encourage the promotion of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) techniques for resolving disputes, emphasizing their applicability both before formal legal proceedings commence and during the litigation process.
In its earnest commitment to uphold the DSLSA motto, "Sewa Samadhan Samarpan," comprehensive provisions have been put in place, encompassing amenities such as Help Desks, Wheel-Chairs, ramps, restroom facilities, and access to clean portable water. To ensure smooth functioning, robust security arrangements will be implemented. Furthermore, each court complex will feature a dedicated help desk at the entrance, serving as a focal point for any inquiries pertaining to Lok Adalats.
