Successful Organization of Fourth National

Hoshiarpur/Daljeet Ajnoha/Dec.13 : The District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Hoshiarpur, successfully organized the district’s fourth National Lok Adalat on December 13, 2025, under the directions of the Punjab State Legal Services Authority, SAS Nagar. The Lok Adalat heard cases under Section 138 of the NI Act (pending and pre-litigation bank recovery cases), labour disputes, motor accident claims, electricity and water bill disputes (excluding non-compoundable cases), matrimonial disputes, traffic challans, revenue matters, other civil and less serious criminal cases, and domestic disputes.The National Lok Adalat was presided over by Rajinder Agarwal, District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, DLSA Hoshiarpur. A total of 19 benches were constituted across the district, including 8 from Hoshiarpur judicial courts, 2 each from sub-divisions Dasuya and Mukerian, 2 from Garhshankar, and 5 from revenue courts.During the Lok Adalat, 26,706 cases were heard, out of which 23,639 were settled on the spot through mutual consent. Awards totaling over ₹16,02,71,822 were passed in favour of the parties.To ensure smooth operations, DLSA Hoshiarpur staff and para-legal volunteers set up special assistance desks, particularly to help those paying traffic challans avoid any inconvenience and deposit fines easily.District and Sessions Judge Rajinder Agarwal, along with CJM-cum-Secretary DLSA Hoshiarpur Neeraj Goyal, inspected various benches. The Bar Association Hoshiarpur provided commendable support for the successful event.Lok Adalats often resolve long-pending and complex cases. For instance, Civil Appeal No. RBT/90/2025 (Civil Appeal No. 419/2017), Mahinder Kaur & Anr vs Kulwinder Singh & Ors, pending before the District and Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur, originated in 2012. The appellants claimed rights in the property of late Sadhu Singh (husband of Appellant No. 1 and father of Appellant No. 2). Two wills—one dated November 18, 2003 (presented by respondents) and another dated June 11, 2012 (presented by appellants)—were rejected by the trial court, which awarded shares based on natural succession via a decree on July 18, 2017. The appeal was filed on August 31, 2017. After prolonged disputes, reconciliation occurred during a pre-Lok Adalat on December 3, 2025, led by Judge Rajinder Agarwal. Final settlement was recorded today by Additional District and Sessions Judge, Hoshiarpur, Raj Pal Rawal, at Lok Adalat Bench No. 3.Similarly, another Civil Appeal (No. 10/2021, Appeal No. 71/2021) before Judge Rajinder Agarwal stemmed from a 2010 dispute over a 6-marlas plot sale agreement dated September 8, 2010, which the seller failed to execute. The plaintiff filed suit in 2016 (DOS 24.08.2016), with the defendant admitting the claim, yet the trial court dismissed it on August 24, 2021. The appeal was filed on September 29, 2021. Reconciliation was achieved in a pre-Lok Adalat on December 2, 2025, with final settlement today at Bench No. 3 by Judge Raj Pal Rawal.DLSA Secretary Neeraj Goyal appealed to the public to participate actively in Lok Adalats, emphasizing time and cost savings. Awards are final and non-appealable, fostering harmony and permanently resolving disputes.