11/05/2026
Srinagar, May, 09, 2026 In a significant stride towards delivering timely and
amicable justice, the District Judiciary Srinagar, in collaboration with the District
Legal Services Authority (DLSA) Srinagar, successfully organized the 2nd National
Lok Adalat of the year 2026 at the District Court Complex Mominabad, Srinagar, and
at the Court of the Additional Special Mobile Magistrate/JMIC Pantha chowk. The
Lok Adalat was held under the able guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar,
Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh and Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services
Authority and overall supervision of Ms. Shazia Tabasum, Member Secretary, J&K
Legal Services Authority & Mr. Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal District & Sessions
Judge/ Chairman, DLSA Srinagar, along with Secretary, DLSA Srinagar.
The Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar,
Judge, High Court of J&K and Ladakh/Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services
Authority. The inauguration ceremony was held in presence of Ms. Shazia Tabasum,
Member Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, Mr. Haq Nawaz Zargar, Principal
District & Sessions Judge/ Chairman, DLSA Srinagar, and esteemed judicial officers,
members of the bar, Court & DLSA staff members of District Court Complex
Srinagar. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented by the Jammu and Kashmir
Police, marking a dignified and respectful beginning to the proceedings. Following
the guard of honour, a sapling was planted by the Chief Guest within the court
premises, as a gesture towards environmental protection and promotion of a greener
and cleaner environment.
The dignitaries visited and observed the functioning of various benches at the
District Court Srinagar, offering encouragement to litigants and reinforcing the ethos
of participatory justice.
Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge, High
Court of J&K and Ladakh/Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority,
emphasized the transformative role of Lok Adalats in the justice delivery system,
stated “Lok Adalat is not just a mechanism for resolving disputes, it is a platform that
creates a win-win situation for all parties involved. It saves time, reduces litigation
costs, and fosters goodwill. I encourage the public to actively participate in this
initiative for peaceful, timely, and amicable settlements. Justice through Lok Adalats
strengthens the very foundation of participatory and compassionate justice.” Hon’ble
Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, laid emphasis on disposal of substantial Civil, Criminal
and Matrimonial cases, through the medium of Lok Adalat
The Lok Adalat received an enthusiastic response from litigants, a testament to
the growing public trust in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. A wide range of
cases, including civil matters, matrimonial disputes, criminal compoundable offences,
bank recoveries, and pre-litigation issues were taken up, with a significant number
being resolved on the spot.
To facilitate the amicable settlement of cases, 12 benches were constituted, in
whole District wherein the Bench where MACT claims were settled was presided
over by Mr. Adnan Sayeed (Spl Judge Anti Corruption CBI Cases Sgr) and Mr. Fayaz Ahmad Qureshi
(Presiding Officer, MACT, Court Srinagar) in which 58 cases were taken out of which 39 cases
were amicably settled & Rs:- 4,38,15,000/- was awarded as settlement amount and
cheques amounting Rs: 2,20,000,00/- were on spot distributed among claimants by
Hon’ble Mr. Justice Sanjeev Kumar, Judge High Court of J&K and Ladakh
(Executive Chairman, J&K Legal Services Authority), in presence of Mr. Haq Nawaz
Zargar Principal District & Sessions Judge Srinagar, Ms. Shazia Tabasum, Member
Secretary, J&K Legal Services Authority, and other Ld. Judicial Officers of District
Court Srinagar.
By the concerted efforts of all presiding officers of all the courts,
cooperation rendered by the learned advocates and officers of various
government departments, insurance companies and banking institutions. A total
number of 72,337 cases were taken up by 12 benches in the district out of which
71844 cases were settled in the said Lok-Adalat.
An amount of Rs, 11,38,58,851/- (Eleven Crores Thirty Eight Lacs Fifty
Eight Thousand Eight Hundred Fifty One Only ) was awarded as settlement
amount in all cases including award of Rs4,38,15,000/- in 39/- MACT Cases.
The 2 nd National Lok Adalat of 2026 witnessed a huge participation of
officers/officials from different departments; litigants. The success of the 2nd
National Lok Adalat reflects the judiciary& #39;s commitment to resolving disputes through
mutual understanding and compromise. Such initiatives not only lessen the backlog of
cases in the courts but also strengthen the public’s faith in the legal system.