Danishwar Hameed
Kulgam, Dec, 14: In line with the direction from the Jammu and Kashmir Legal Services Authority (J&K LSA) and under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), the Fourth National Lok Adalat was successfully held today at the District Court in Kulgam. The event was chaired by Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Khan, Principal District and Sessions Judge, Kulgam, and Chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kulgam.
The Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Khan in the presence of the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kulgam, Munsiff/JMIC, Additional Mobile Magistrate Kulgam, along with the staff of the District Court, DLSA Kulgam, and Bar members from the region.
To ensure widespread access to justice, six benches were constituted for the event. Four benches were stationed at the District Court headquarters, while one bench was set up at D.H. Pora and another at Qazigund.
First Bench: Presided over by Mr. Aijaz Ahmad Khan, assisted by Mr. Mohd Shafi Bhat, Bar President of Kulgam.
Second Bench: Chaired by Mrs. Mehreen Mushtaq, Chief Judicial Magistrate of Kulgam, with Mr. Basit Farooq, Assistant LADC, assisting her.
Third Bench: Headed by Mr. Akash Deep Singh, Munsiff/JMIC of Kulgam, with Mr. Mohd Younis Hella, Advocate, assisting him.
Fourth Bench: Overseen by Mr. Sheeraz Akhter Malik, Additional Mobile Magistrate of Kulgam, with Mr. Zaffar Wani, Panel Lawyer, DLSA Kulgam, offering assistance.
Fifth Bench: Held at the Munsiff Court, D.H. Pora, presided over by Mr. Nisar ul Haq Khan, Munsiff/JMIC of D.H. Pora, with assistance from Mr. Syed Rouf Geelani, Advocate.
Sixth Bench: Constituted at the Munsiff Court in Qazigund, led by Mr. Aastik Verma, Munsiff/JMIC of Qazigund, and assisted by Mr. Khursheed Ahmed, Advocate.
During the event, a total of 1,310 cases spanning various legal categories—such as MACT (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal) cases, family disputes, revenue matters, traffic challans, bank cases, electricity disputes, and water bill issues—were taken up. Of these, 597 cases were amicably settled, providing significant relief to the parties involved.
The Lok Adalat also saw the successful settlement of cases involving substantial amounts. A total of Rs. 1,89,32,025 was awarded in various cases, including two MACT cases. The initiative demonstrated the effective use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms and highlighted the commitment to providing accessible and speedy justice for the citizens of Kulgam.
