Tarun Karthick
Campbell Bay, 03 December 2024
The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) of Andaman & Nicobar Islands is set to organise a National Lok Adalat on December 14, 2024, aimed at resolving pre-litigation and post-litigation cases through mutual consent. The event will take place at multiple locations, including the District Court Complex in Sri Vijaya Puram, the Sub-Divisional Court Complex in Mayabunder, and the Circuit Court in Diglipur.
The Lok Adalat initiative is designed to settle various cases, such as those related to Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, money recovery, labour disputes, electricity and water bills (excluding non-compoundable cases), maintenance cases, civil disputes, and matters under the Consumer Protection Act.
However, despite regular organisation of National Lok Adalats in South Andaman and North & Middle Andaman Districts in recent years, Nicobar District has been excluded from this initiative for several years. No National Lok Adalat has been held in Nicobar District for several years, creating a noticeable gap in the access to justice for the residents of Nicobar District.
Local residents of Nicobar District have long awaited the chance to resolve their disputes through these convenient out-of-court settlements, and many are urging the DLSA to extend this service to Campbell Bay, Car Nicobar, and Kamorta as well. The absence of Lok Adalats in Nicobar District highlights the ongoing need for such initiatives to reach all corners of the islands, ensuring equal access to justice for all residents.