National Lok Adalat: May 2026 Settlements Restore Family Harmony and Resolve Disputes
In May 2026, the National Lok Adalat was organized across all 22 districts and 38 sub-divisions of Haryana under the leadership of Justice Deepak Sibal, Judge of the Punjab & Haryana High Court and Executive Chairman of HALSA. This initiative aimed to strengthen access to affordable and speedy justice for the public. The event successfully resolved numerous disputes through amicable settlements, highlighting the effectiveness of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
A notable case involved a maintenance petition filed by senior citizens against their sons in Panchkula Court under Section 144 BNSS Act. During the Lok Adalat, both parties reached a settlement where one son agreed to pay Rs. 11,000 per month along with medical expenses, while the other committed to paying Rs. 9,000 monthly from the petition filing date. This resolution not only addressed legal issues but also restored family harmony and dignity for the elderly parents.
Additionally, the Lok Adalat resolved a recent conflict between the district judiciary and the local Bar Association of Faridabad. Through dialogue and reconciliation, advocates expressed regret over the incident, and the court withdrew its previous observations, restoring cordial relations between the Bench and the Bar. Justice Sibal emphasized the importance of a litigant-friendly, efficient, and result-oriented approach to maximize dispute resolution through consensus.
The National Lok Adalat, including pre-Lok Adalat sittings, handled a wide variety of disputes, reflecting growing public faith in this alternative dispute resolution mechanism. The settlements saved time and litigation costs while reducing case pendency across Haryana. An amount was disbursed or awarded during the event. For effective conduct, multiple benches were constituted to address pre-litigation and pending matters, including civil disputes, matrimonial cases, motor accident claims, bank recovery, cheque bounce cases, traffic challans, compoundable criminal offences, and matters before Permanent Lok Adalats, Debt Recovery Tribunal, and State Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission.