Mega Lok Adalat'

As many as 10 retired Judges of the Madras High Court today commenced a 'Mega Lok Adalat' at which they would try to resolve 1,150 cases pertaining to insurance, road accident claims and criminal appeals.

Since 1986 till end of June 2011, 52,450 adalats had been held in Tamil Nadu at which 5,23,942 cases had been settled involving a staggering amount of over Rs 2333.62 crore. Inaugurating the Lok Adalat, organised by Tamil Nadu State Legal Services Authority and High Court Legal Services Committee, High Court Judge and TNSLSA Executive Chairman Justice Elipe Dharma Rao referred to a Supreme Court order, telling Lok Adalats to resist the temptation of playing the part of judges but strive to function as conciliators. "The endeavour and effort of the Lok Adalats should be to guide and persuade the parties,with reference to principles of justice,equity and fair play to compromise and settle disputes by explaining the pros and cons, strengths and weaknesses, advantages and disadvantages of their respective claims." He said that after assuming charge as Executive Chairman in January 2010, the authority had conducted 7,967 Lok Adalats to which over 6.88 lakh cases were referred. Of these over 84,000 cases were settled, involving nearly Rs 511 crore. TNSLA also proposed to conduct another legal literacy programme for weaker sections on August 20, he said. Justice D Murugesan of the Madras High Court, who delivered the presidential address, called for exploring the possibility of transferring other types of cases to Lok Adalats for settlement as some tribunals lacked proper infrastructure and manpower, resulting in piling up of cases.