Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 24 Apr: The District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, is set to organise a National Lok Adalat on 9 May, 2026, across the district headquarters and all outlying court complexes in the district. The primary objective of this event is to ensure the swift, accessible, and amicable resolution of both the pending and pre-litigation cases through mutual settlements. Seema Dungrakoti, Secretary and Civil Judge (Senior Division) of the District Legal Services Authority, Dehradun, shared that the Lok Adalat will facilitate the resolution of a wide array of disputes, including civil matters, matrimonial and family disputes, cheque bounce cases, recovery suits, motor accident claims, labour disputes and the matters pending before consumer forums, alongside pre-litigation cases. She added that furthermore, compoundable challans under the Motor Vehicles Act pending in courts will also be addressed, allowing individuals to settle their cases by paying the prescribed fees without incurring additional expenses.
The compoundable offences eligible for resolution include speeding, dangerous driving, operating a vehicle without a valid licence, registration certificate, insurance, or permit and failure to use seatbelts or helmets. Other covered violations include driving by an unauthorised person, overloading, excessive honking, failing to provide way to emergency vehicles, violations of safety norms by motorcyclists or pillion riders, and unauthorised interference with parked vehicles or driving while physically or mentally unfit. However, serious offences such as drunk driving and instances involving minors driving vehicles remain outside the scope of this compoundable category.
A distinct feature of the Lok Adalat is that no court fees are payable on matters settled during the proceedings in Lok Adalats, and in the cases where fees have already been deposited, they are refunded in accordance with the rules. The decisions rendered by the Lok Adalat are final and binding, and no appeals can be filed against them. The District Legal Services Authority has appealed to the general public to take advantage of this opportunity. Individuals with cases pending in the courts of Dehradun, Rishikesh, Vikasnagar, Doiwala, Chakrata, and Mussoorie are urged to apply for settlement through mutual consent in their respective courts before May 9, 2026. This National Lok Adalat serves as a significant initiative aimed at providing the public with a cost-effective, accessible, and expedited system of justice.
