National Lok Adalat sets record in Chhattisgarh, over 71 lakh cases settled
Lok adalat clears 71 lakh cases
Raipur | Correspondent: In a significant stride toward making the judicial process in Chhattisgarh more accessible and expeditious, the first National Lok Adalat of 2026 set new records of success on Saturday. During this massive campaign, organized across the entire state, a total of 7,194,079 cases were resolved through mutual settlement, resulting in the passing of awards totaling ₹37,332.45 crore.
The formal inauguration of this grand event was conducted by Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of the Chhattisgarh High Court and Chief Patron of the State Legal Services Authority (CGSLA) at the Durg District and Sessions Court.
On this occasion, Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi, the Portfolio Judge for the Durg district, was also specially present. While interacting with judicial officers, advocates, and officials from various departments during the event, the Chief Justice emphasized that the cooperation of all stakeholders is imperative for reducing the judicial backlog and ensuring effective dispute resolution.
Adding a cultural dimension to the Lok Adalat this time, the Chief Justice launched a special theme song composed in Chhattisgarh's traditional 'Pandwani' style to spread awareness regarding mediation and the Lok Adalat mechanism. The objective is to convey the message of justice to the general public through the medium of their own indigenous culture.
During the Lok Adalat, hearings were conducted on a diverse range of subjects, including compoundable criminal offenses, civil disputes, revenue matters, pre-litigation cases, and traffic challans. Focusing specifically on the Durg district, 1,013,826 cases were taken up for consideration across 39 benches, resulting in the settlement of a record-breaking 1,013,730 cases. In Durg alone, a total settlement amount exceeding ₹49.60 crore was determined.
A highlight of the program was the remarkable blend of technology and human sensitivity on display. While virtual hearings via video conferencing were arranged for residents of remote areas, mobile awareness vans were dispatched directly to the homes of the elderly and persons with disabilities to facilitate their participation.
Within the Durg District Court complex, community organizations arranged *langars* (community meals) for the benefit of advocates and litigants. Furthermore, an exhibition of products crafted by inmates of the Central Jail, Durg, along with a free health check-up camp, transformed this legal festival into an event of social significance.
Students from various law colleges also demonstrated keen enthusiasm to observe this process firsthand. While virtually reviewing the proceedings across all 23 districts of the state, the Chief Justice hailed this initiative as a revolutionary step towards ensuring speedy and affordable justice.
