Keep ego in check to make Lok Adalat successful: Justice Dave

Second Nation Lok Adalat, to be held in all courts across the country today, was inaugurated by Supreme Court judge Justice A R Dave who asked litigants to keep their ego in control and have a "big heart" to help dispose of the cases.
The Lok Adalat, being organised by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), is aimed at disposing of lakhs of cases. Last year, around 71 lakh cases were settled in the first National Lok Adalat held on November 23.
Inaugurating the Lok Adalat, which will also take place in apex court, Justice Dave said it is the best way to resolve disputes as both the fighting parties come to a mutually acceptable solution and they do not have to wait for years to get their cases decided in court.

"This method is the best way to resolve the dispute. It is fast and less expensive. Relation between the litigants does not get strained and they remain cordial as they mutually agree to dissolve the dispute," he said, adding, "People need to have a big heart and keep their ego under control to get the dispute resolved in Lok Adalat".
He said this form of dispute resolution has been very successful even since it came into existence since March 14, 1982 when the first Lok Adalat was set up at Una in Junagadh district of Gujarat.
In the Supreme Court, three Lok Adalat benches will sit and 53 cases, including matrimonial disputes and motor accident compensation claims, will be taken up for disposal.

The programme will be viewed all over the country through video conferencing and web casting.

A large number of criminal compoundable cases, cheque bounce and bank recovery cases, civil suits motor accident claims and family matters will be taken up during the National Lok Adalat.
Apart from these, in many states, revenue matters, land acquisition references, consumer matters, service and labour matters will also be taken up for the amicable settlements.
Besides the Lok Adalat, a large number of petty criminal cases will also be taken up on Saturday by special sittings of magistrates and judges.