Amritsar, Dec 13, 2025 (Yes Punjab News)
Under the Leadership of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Judge, Punjab and Haryana High Court-cum-Executive Chairperson, Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar, the National Lok Adalat was successfully held on 13.12.2025 and witnessed an overwhelming response across various Courts.
The Lok Adalat played a significant role in promoting amicable settlement of disputes and expeditious disposal of cases, thereby reducing pendency and ensuring access to speedy justice.
During the National Lok Adalat, a total of 33,181 cases were taken up, out of which 30,298 cases were decided.
The total amount involved in the settled cases was ₹59,09,14,425/-, reflecting the effectiveness of Lok Adalats as a forum for dispute resolution and financial recovery. A total number of 26 benches were constituted out of which 20 benches were setup at Amritsar Headquarters and 3 benches were setup at each sub-division Ajnala and Baba Bakala Sahib.
At Amritsar, the National Lok Adalat was held under the chairmanship of Ms. Jatinder Kaur, District & Sessions Judge, Amritsar, with the active efforts of Sh. Amardeep Singh Bains, Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Amritsar.
The Lok Adalat achieved remarkable success in fulfilling its core objective of amicable settlement of disputes and expeditious disposal of long-pending cases. Continuous efforts during Pre-Lok Adalat proceedings and effective persuasion on the day of Lok Adalat led to the resolution of several civil and Negotiable Instruments Act matters pending for many years before different Courts at Amritsar.
In the Court of Sh. Amarjeet Singh, Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-JMIC, Amritsar, a civil recovery suit titled Allahabad Bank Vs. M/s Pal Tailors (CIS No. CS/5432/2018), pending since 2018 and falling under the Action Plan Category for the year 2025–26, was amicably settled. The plaintiff bank had claimed recovery of ₹6,05,561.40; however, with the intervention of the Court, the matter was settled for ₹4,23,000/-.
A substantial amount was paid on the spot and the remaining amount is to be paid in instalments by 28.02.2026, resulting in final disposal by way of award.
In another case before the Court of Dr. Gurdarshan Singh, PCS, Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-JMIC, Amritsar, a civil suit titled M/s Surinder Coal Supply Vs. M/s AP Auto Piston Engineers (CS/5222/2018), instituted in the year 2018, was pending despite completion of pleadings and framing of issues. Owing to repeated efforts made during Pre-Lok Adalat proceedings, the matter was amicably settled and the plaintiff withdrew the suit, culminating in final disposal during the National Lok Adalat.
Significant success was also recorded in the Court of Ms. Tarjani, PCS, Judicial Magistrate First Class, Amritsar, where a long-pending NI Act complaint titled M/s Devi Dass & Sons Vs. Sanjay Khanna (NACT/950/2016), pending for nearly nine years and involving multiple connected proceedings including petitions before the Hon’ble High Court, was amicably resolved.
With strenuous efforts of the Court, a comprehensive compromise for ₹16,25,000/- was effected, bringing an end to prolonged litigation and withdrawal of all connected proceedings.
Further, under the supervision of Ms. Neelam, Presiding Officer, National Lok Adalat, Amritsar, several NI Act cases pending since 2019–2021 were successfully settled. These cases involved cheque amounts ranging from ₹20,000/- to ₹5,00,000/- and had remained unresolved for years due to disputes between the parties.
Persistent efforts during Pre-Lok Adalat and National Lok Adalat proceedings resulted in payments by the accused persons to the satisfaction of complainants, including private parties as well as financial institutions.
In addition, a civil case titled Vikas Bhattia & another Vs. Ranjit Singh & others (CS-48-2023), pending for more than two years before the Court of Sh. Palwinder Singh, Additional Civil Judge (Senior Division), Ajnala, was successfully resolved through amicable settlement during the National Lok Adalat.
The matter was taken up by the Lok Adalat Bench comprising the presiding officer along with Sh. H.S. Nijjar, President, Bar Association, Ajnala, and Sh. Sukhcharanjit Singh, Secretary, Bar Association, Ajnala. With effective intervention of the Bench and assistance of learned counsel, counselling of the parties led to reconciliation, and the case was dismissed as withdrawn.
The National Lok Adalat held on 13.12.2025 thus proved to be a highly effective forum for speedy justice, financial recovery, reduction of pendency, and restoration of harmonious relations between the parties. The collective efforts of all the Courts significantly contributed towards strengthening the spirit of Alternative Dispute Resolution and enhancing access to justice.
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