National Lok Adalat conducted
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, December 09 2023: The Manipur State Legal Services Authority (MASLSA) in association with the High Court Legal Services Committee and District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) organised the last National Lok Adalat for the calendar year, 2023 on December 9 at all the District Courts & High Court.

Justice Siddharth Mridul, Chief Justice, High Court of Manipur & patron-in-chief MASLSA accompanied by Justice A Bimol Singh, executive chairman MASLSA and Justice Golmei Gaiphulshillu, Judge, High Court of Manipur visited the sitting of National Lok Adalat at Thoubal Court Complex and Lamphel Court Complex respectively, said a release issued by MASLSA.

National Lok Adalat conducted

Speaking to the media at Lamphel Court Complex, Justice Siddharth Mridul stated that both pre-litigation and civil cases pending before the Courts can be referred to the Lok Adalat.

"Large number of categories of cases such as Bank recovery cases, MACT cases, Matrimonial disputes, Negotiable Instrument Act cases, Land Acquisition cases, Electricity & Water Bill cases & Compoundable criminal cases can be settled before the Lok Adalat", he added.

Highlighting that any person can approach the Help Desk or Front Office of MASLSA and DLSAs for taking up their cases in Lok Adalat, he said that no legal fee is required to be paid and no commission will be charged for settlement of any dispute between the parties.

"Any award or order passed in the Lok Adalat carries the same weight as a civil Court decree.

As the compromise arises out of consent between the parties, the award will be final and no appeal may rise before any Court except in the case of fraud or mis-representation", he added.

The Chief Justice also urged all to avail this Alternative Dispute Resolution where the settlement can be done instantly without any cost.

Meanwhile, out of 206 cases which were taken up, 99 cases were successfully resolved during the Lok Adalat with a total settlement amount of Rs 1,62,56,867 .

N Lanleima, Presiding Officer, MACT; Monalisa Maibam, Special Judge (ND&PS), Manipur & K Nirojit, Civil Judge (Sr Divn), Imphal West presided as Chairperson of 3 benches of National Lok Adalat held at Lamphel Court Complex.

Advocates Ch Momon Singh, Ch Bimolchandra, B Supriya Devi, Ph Binodini, I Lenibala Devi and P Tolen provided their service as members of the benches.

MALSA has expressed its appreciation to the Presiding Officers, Judicial Officers, Ld S Devananda, Advocate & Media Coordinator, Ld Advocates, PLVs, staff of the Court & MASLSA, officials of Bank/ Insurance Companies, news/ print media & all the parties for contributing and participating in the National Lok Adalat.