UDHAMPUR, Oct 17: A Special Lok Adalat for cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act was held in District Udhampur on Saturday to facilitate the speedy and amicable resolution of cheque-bounce disputes.
The Lok Adalat was conducted under the chairmanship of Kalpana Revo, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson, District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Udhampur, along with Sumati Sharma, Sub-Judge and Secretary, DLSA Udhampur.
Six benches comprising judicial officers and panel lawyers were constituted across the district to facilitate settlements between the parties and reduce the burden of prolonged litigation. The benches worked to resolve disputes through mutual compromise and settlement.
During the proceedings, three cases were settled out of a total of 31 cases taken up, involving a cumulative settlement amount of Rs. 38,400.
Similar Special Lok Adalats were also organised at the Taluk Legal Services Committees (TLSCs) of Ramnagar, Majalta and Chenani, extending the initiative to different parts of the district.
The initiative aimed to provide litigants with an accessible and cost-effective mechanism for resolving cheque-bounce disputes without undergoing lengthy court proceedings. Lok Adalats offer an alternative dispute-resolution platform where eligible cases can be settled through mutual agreement, helping save time and resources for both litigants and the judiciary.
The programme reflects the efforts of the District Legal Services Authority to promote amicable dispute resolution and facilitate timely access to justice for citizens across Udhampur district.