Special Lok Adalat In Durg Settles 449 Cheque Bounce Cases Worth ₹13.88 Crore

The first Special Lok Adalat of 2026 for cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, held in Durg district of Chhattisgarh on July 18, resulted in the settlement of 449 cheque bounce cases involving a total settlement amount of ₹13,88,05,129. The Special Lok Adalat was organised under the guidance of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority (SLSA) to facilitate the speedy disposal of pending cheque dishonour cases through amicable settlement.The Special Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court and Patron-in-Chief of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority, from Dantewada. Judicial officers from all districts of the State participated in the inaugural programme through virtual mode.Addressing the programme, the Chief Justice described Lok Adalats as an effective mechanism for ensuring accessible justice and called upon judicial officers, advocates and banks to work in coordination to maximise the disposal of cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act.According to the press release, 15 benches were constituted in Durg district for the Special Lok Adalat. Out of 1,001 identified cases, 449 cases were settled through mutual agreement between the parties, resulting in settlements amounting to ₹13.88 crore.The initiative was aimed at providing parties with a speedy, cost-effective and permanent resolution of disputes through mutual settlement. The organisers stated that the results were achieved through systematic planning, continuous coordination and extensive preparatory efforts at the district level.The Special Lok Adalat was conducted under the guidance of K. Vinod Kujur, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority, Durg. A special team comprising Bhupesh Kumar Basant, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Akanksha Rathore, Judicial Magistrate First Class, and Anjali Singh, Judicial Magistrate First Class, coordinated with advocates and litigants and undertook continuous case-wise monitoring to facilitate settlements.The press release stated that the Mediation Centre, Durg, played a significant role by counselling parties and facilitating negotiations, leading to the amicable resolution of several disputes. The District Bar Association, Durg, also assisted by encouraging litigants to opt for settlement.Representatives of public sector and private banks participated in the Special Lok Adalat and extended cooperation in resolving pending cheque dishonour cases. Law students from various colleges in Durg district also participated in the programme, gaining practical exposure while contributing to awareness about alternative dispute resolution.The District Legal Services Authority stated that the Special Lok Adalat was organised in line with NALSA's policy of promoting alternative dispute resolution. It noted that settlements in cheque bounce cases help reduce the burden of pending litigation while saving the parties' time, cost and effort and preserving commercial and social relationships.The press release further stated that the successful implementation of a mediation drive in Durg contributed to the outcome by identifying mediation-suitable cases, referring them to the Mediation Centre and regularly monitoring pending cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. It attributed the disposal of 449 cases to systematic planning, regular monitoring and the coordinated efforts of judicial officers, mediators, members of the Bar and court staff.

Special Lok Adalat In Durg Settles 449 Cheque Bounce Cases Worth ₹13.88 Crore

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Special Lok Adalat In Durg Settles 449 Cheque Bounce Cases Worth ₹13.88 Crore

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