Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 9 

More than 71,000 cases were settled during the second National Lok Adalat of 2026 held in Srinagar on Saturday, with compensation awards exceeding 113 million rupees ($1.3 million), judicial officials said.

The Lok Adalat, organised by the District Judiciary Srinagar in coordination with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), was held at the District Court Complex in Srinagar and other designated courts in the district.

According to officials, 72,337 cases were taken up by 12 benches constituted across the district, out of which 71,844 cases were resolved through mutual settlement mechanisms.

An amount of 113.8 million rupees was awarded in settlements, including 43.8 million rupees in 39 motor accident compensation claims, officials said.

Justice Sanjeev Kumar of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, who inaugurated the proceedings, said Lok Adalats played a significant role in reducing litigation and ensuring speedy dispute resolution.

“Lok Adalat is not just a mechanism for resolving disputes, it is a platform that creates a win-win situation for all parties involved,” Kumar said during the event.

The cases settled included civil disputes, matrimonial matters, criminal compoundable offences, bank recovery cases and pre-litigation disputes.

Officials said compensation cheques amounting to 22 million rupees were distributed on the spot among successful claimants in motor accident cases.

Lok Adalats are alternative dispute resolution forums aimed at settling pending and pre-litigation cases through conciliation and compromise, reducing the burden on conventional courts.

The event was attended by judicial officers, lawyers, officials from government departments, insurance companies and banking institutions, along with litigants and members of the public.