National Lok Adalat 'wipes out' over 28 lakh cases in India

The National Lok Adalat organised throughout the country today "effectively wiped out" a record 28.26 lakh cases pending in various courts.
According to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the three Lok Adalat benches constituted in the Supreme Court settled 5l cases, while other benches across the country apparently set a world record by amicably settling over 28 lakh cases.
"The Lok Adalat Benches from the Supreme Court to Taluk courts have had successful sittings so far. 5l cases have been settled by the three Lok Adalat benches in the Supreme Court of India and as per the latest reports coming in, about 28.26 lakh cases have been settled in the rest of the country," the NALSA said in a statement.

It, however, clarified that detailed report on the number of cases settled under various categories would be collected by it over the next few days as Lok Adalat benches all over the country were still functioning today.
"Today's efforts have effectively wiped out 28.26 lakh cases from the backlog and pendency in the courts at all levels," the NALSA statement said, adding, "A world record in disposal of cases amicably has apparently been created in today's National Lok Adalat."
It also said that due to the ongoing assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh, the 7.97 lakh cases referred to the national Lok Adalat there would be taken up for disposal on November 30 which would also increase the number of settled cases.

During the day, Chief Justice of India P Sathasivam had inaugurated the National Lok Adalat at the apex court and said that presiding members of Lok Adalats must ensure that litigants are not "intimidated" or "misled" to give their consent to the decisions as they are final and cannot be appealed against.