On December 7, during the ongoing winter parliamentary session, S. Selvaganapathy, raised questions regarding Lok Adalats in the Rajya Sabha. Through his question, Selvaganapathy wanted to know the details of the number of Lok Adalats organised and the number cases settled over the past three years. Selvaganapathy is an Indian politician and member of the parliament from the Bhartiya Janta Party.
In the response from the ministry of law and justice, Arjun Ram Meghwal, the minister apprised the Rajya Sabha of the details of cases disposed in National Lok Adalats, State Lok Adalats and Permanent Lok Adalats from 2020-21 till 2023-24, up to September, 2023.
When we closely look at the cases disposed in National Lok Adalats, we see that in 2020, the highest number of cases disposed of was 11,71,022 in Uttar Pradesh. While the lowest was 0 cases in Ladakh. In 2021, the highest number of cases disposed of was 55,51,793 again in Uttar Pradesh. While the lowest was 7 cases in Lakshadweep. In 2022, the highest number of cases disposed of was 1, 86,98,973 in Uttar Pradesh for the third consecutive time. While the lowest was 129 cases in Lakshadweep.
In 2023, until September, the highest number of cases disposed of was 2, 29,44164 in Uttar Pradesh. While the lowest number of cases has been 41 cases in Lakshadweep. Hence, we can see that Uttar Pradesh has had the maximum number of cases disposed of throughout from 2020 till 2023. Whereas the lowest cases disposed of has consecutively been Lakshadweep.
A close look at the table (below) shows that states and union territories including Assam, Bihar, Chandigarh, Chhattisgarh, Daman and Diu, Delhi, Gujrat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Tripura, and Uttar Pradesh, show constant growth of disposals over the years. Available figures are until September, hence a proportionate calculation establishes that 15 out of 37 states have an arc of increasing number of cases disposed during the last 3 years and the current year. Whereas there are 10 states out of 37 that show fluctuations and eventually a decrease in the number of cases disposed of. The states are Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Jammu & Kashmir, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Manipur, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana. The remaining 12 states do not show fluctuations and are more or less constant throughout.
Lok Adalats legally come under National Legal Services Authority and the respective State Legal Services Authority. They are is statutory organisations under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. Lok Adalats have evolved as a dispute resolution mechanism outside courts, at a pre-litigation stage, Cases pending before a panchayat or at a pre-litigation stage in a court of law are attempted to be settled. The award (decision) by Lok Adalats is deemed to be final as in a civil court case, binding on all parties. If however parties are dissatisfied with the award of any Lok Adalat (because there is no provision for appeal) they are still free to approach an appropriate court.
Persons who adjudicate here are however picked by government, union or state and this often has a bearing on the outcome.
State Lok Adalats
When we look at the cases disposed of in the State Lok Adalats, we see that in 2020-21, the highest number of cases disposed of were 1,95,359 with 300 benches constituted that year in Delhi. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Punjab and Ladakh.
In 2021-22, the highest number of cases disposed of were 1,47,103 with 250 benches constituted that year in Delhi. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, Manipur, and Nagaland. In 2022-23, the highest number of cases disposed of were 2,59,125 with 30 benches constituted that year in Uttar Pradesh. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Assam, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Meghalaya, and Nagaland. In 2023-24, up to September 2023, the highest number of cases disposed of were 2,36,496 with 15 benches constituted that year in Uttar Pradesh. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, West Bengal and Ladakh. It is important to note that states and union territories including Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Lakshadweep, and Nagaland have had hardly any, or no benches constituted, and cases disposed of since 2020-21.
A close look at the cases disposed of in the Permanent Lok Adalats, we see that in 2020-21, the highest number of cases settled during the year were 14,765 with 532 sittings constituted during that year in Delhi. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, West Bengal and Ladakh.
In 2021-22, the highest number of cases settled were 32,514 with 5144 sittings constituted during that year in Jharkhand. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, West Bengal and Ladakh. In 2022-23, the highest number of cases settled were 72,440 with 3,416 sittings constituted during that year in Haryana.
Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, West Bengal and Ladakh.
In 2023-24, upto September 2023, the highest number of cases settled were 20,483 with 2661 sittings constituted during that year in Jharkhand. Whereas the lowest number of cases disposed of were 0 in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, Jammu and Kashmir, Lakshadweep, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Puducherry, Sikkim, West Bengal and Ladakh. When we look at the grand total of all the states combined the cases settled during the year has increased every year. Though it should be pointed out that 14 out 37 states and union territories have had no sittings during the year and any cases settled since 2020-21.
The data presented regarding the disposal of cases in National Lok Adalats, State Lok Adalats, and Permanent Lok Adalats from 2020-21 to 2023-24 (up to September) offers a comprehensive view of the trend in case settlements across different regions of India.
Primarily, Uttar Pradesh consistently leads in the disposal of cases in National Lok Adalats, reflecting a substantial volume of resolved cases over these years. Conversely, certain regions, notably Lakshadweep and several others, demonstrate persistently low case disposal rates, indicating potential challenges or limitations in the efficacy of the Lok Adalat system within these areas. Analysing State Lok Adalats, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh exhibit prominent numbers in different years, showcasing significant variations in case disposal rates across states. Moreover, the concerning absence of benches constituted and minimal to no cases disposed of in some regions like Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu, Lakshadweep, and Nagaland raises questions about the infrastructure or outreach of Lok Adalats in these areas. Permanent Lok Adalats reflect a similar trend, highlighting disparities in case settlements across states. The consistent absence of sittings and settlements in specific regions throughout these years raises concerns regarding access to justice and the effectiveness of the Lok Adalat system in these areas. Overall, while there is an evident increase in the total cases settled each year, it is crucial to address the disparities among states and union territories. The presence of regions consistently lagging in case disposals necessitates a deeper examination of the factors influencing this disparity, be it infrastructural, logistical, or systemic constraints. Enhancing the reach and efficacy of Lok Adalats in these areas becomes imperative to ensure equitable access to justice across the nation.
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