Jammu & Kashmir Hosts Year’s First National Lok Adalat; Over 67,000 Cases Settled Amicably
JAMMU, MARCH 14, 2026: In a significant push toward swift and cost-effective justice, the J&K Legal Services Authority organized the first National Lok Adalat of 2026 across the Union Territory today. Held under the patronage of Chief Justice Arun Palli and the leadership of Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Executive Chairman of the J&K Legal Services Authority, the event aimed to fulfill the constitutional commitment of providing efficient dispute resolution.
Justice Sanjeev Kumar personally inaugurated the proceedings at the District Court Complex in Jammu, where he was received by Principal District & Sessions Judge R. N. Wattal and other senior judicial officers. During his visit, the Executive Chairman inspected various benches, interacted with litigants and advocates, and distributed MACT compensation cheques to eligible beneficiaries, providing immediate relief to claimants.
The day-long initiative saw an overwhelming response, with 194 benches constituted across various districts to handle a wide array of cases, including matrimonial disputes, cheque bounce cases under the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, and compoundable criminal offences.
Prior to the main event, extensive pre-Lok Adalat sittings and counseling sessions were conducted to encourage parties to explore consensus-based settlements. This proactive approach resulted in the successful disposal of 67,993 cases out of the 76,707 taken up, involving a total settlement and compensation amount of approximately ₹55,86,33,017.
These settlements covered diverse categories such as motor accident claims, land acquisition, labor disputes, and pending utility bills.Justice Sanjeev Kumar lauded the coordinated efforts of judicial officers, legal aid defense counsels, para-legal volunteers, and court staff for the successful execution of the event.
He emphasized that Lok Adalats serve as a vital Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism that not only reduces the pendency of cases in traditional courts but also strengthens the overall justice delivery system by fostering amicable settlements.
Shazia Tabassum, Member Secretary of the J&K Legal Services Authority, reiterated the commitment to making justice accessible to the marginalized and underprivileged sections of society.
She further announced that the second National Lok Adalat of the year is scheduled for May 09, 2026, offering another opportunity for litigants who were unable to resolve their disputes during today’s session.