If you have a pending traffic challan that you want to settle or matrimonial disputes of any kind to resolve (except divorce), you have a golden chance tomorrow. On 8th March, 2025, i.e., tomorrow, the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLA), in coordination with the Delhi Traffic Police, is organizing a National Lok Adalat. Here, you can get legal matters of various types, like land acquisition cases, motor vehicle offenses, and more, sorted via an alternate dispute resolution (ADR) mechanism.
When can you approach the National Lok Adalat? We break it down for you.
What matters can be settled in a National Lok Adalats?
When it comes to matters related to motor vehicles, you can get minor and compoundable offenses under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, settled in Lok Adalats.
According to Niharika Gupta, Senior Associate, The Young Jurist, “In Lok Adalats, certain motor vehicle offences can be compounded (settled) and pardoned. These typically include violations such as driving without a valid license (Section 181), using an unregistered vehicle (Section 192), driving without valid insurance (Section 196), over-speeding (Section 183), overloading (Section 194A), and failure to comply with seatbelt (Section 194B) and helmet (Section 194D) and relative mandates.”
In the Lok Adalat scheduled for tomorrow, compoundable traffic challans and also notices of all categories of vehicles, which are being shown as pending till November 30, 2024, can be taken up for resolution.
In addition to this, Lok Adalats also take up resolution of cases under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which involve compensation disputes between victims (or their families) and insurance companies. If parties agree, the dispute can be settled amicably, ensuring quicker relief without long legal proceedings in tedious litigations and long-drawn court proceedings.
Which matters cannot be taken to the National Lok Adalats: Drunk driving and more
Lok Adalats generally do not take up serious offenses that involve drunken driving, rash and negligent driving causing grievous injury or death, and/or cases with repeat offenders, explains Adnan Siddiqui, Partner, King Stubb & Kasiva, Advocates and Attorneys.
Also, offences against women such as rape, sexual harassment, voyeurism, stalking, offences relating to marriage such as dowry death, offences against child such as selling or buying child for prostitution, offences relating to human body such as murder, homicide, terrorist acts, etc. under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023
“Non-compoundable offences punishable under Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988; the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act); The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 (POCSO Act); the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967 (UAPA), etc. can also not be taken up in Lok Adalats”, says Meghna Mishra, Senior Partner at Karanjawala & Co.
Does Lok Adalat only cater to matters related to motor vehicles?
According to the website of the DLSA, Lok Adalats can deal with “any case pending before any court, or any dispute which has not been brought before any court and is likely to be filed before the court.”.
Apart from just motor vehicle-related cases, Lok Adalats also cater to resolving the following cases:
- Bank recovery disputes (such as credit card or loan defaults)
- Matrimonial disputes (except divorce cases)
- Cheque bounce cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act
- Service matters relating to government employees
- Consumer disputes (under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019)
- Property-related disputes (Section 89 of the Civil Procedure Code (CPC))
- Industrial disputes (The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947)
Such matters can be settled by Lok Adalat only on the application of one of the parties or when both parties consent to the same. As Siddiqi explains, cases where one party does not consent to settlement cannot be taken up in Lok Adalats.
When are Lok Adalats scheduled for in 2025?
Notably, Lok Adalats are of three types. The first is State Lok Adalats, which are organized as per local needs. Then come the National Lok Adalats, which are held quarterly across all courts. And lastly, there are Permanent Lok Adalats, which are set up in districts for resolving disputes related to public service utilities.
In 2025, National Lok Adalats are scheduled for March 8, May 10, September 13, and December 13th.
Are verdicts delivered by Lok Adalats final and binding?
Yes. Explains Gupta, “The legal sanctity of settlements in Lok Adalats, as per the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, ensures that awards passed are final and binding, holding the status of a civil court decree, thereby preventing further litigation and ensuring legal certainty.”
Siddiqi concurs. “The key advantage of Lok Adalats is that their awards are final and binding, with no provision for appeal, ensuring speedy resolution and reducing court backlog,” he adds.
