Question

Lok Adalat can rightly be described as ‘People’s Court’.

Answer 1

1. The government establishes Lok Adalat, or People’s Court, to resolve consumer issues through compromise. It is a mock court held by the State Authority, District Authority, Supreme Court Legal Service Committee, High Court Legal Service Committee, or Taluka Legal Service Committee.
2. Lok Adalat takes matters pending in ordinary courts in order to resolve them by compromise. To do so, both parties to the case must agree to shift the matter from ordinary court to Lok Adalat. Even if one of the parties requests it, the court may move the case to Lok Adalat if it believes there is a prospect for a compromise.
3. If a dispute cannot be settled by compromise in Lok Adalat, it is returned to normal court. Lok Adalat's orders or resolutions of disputes are legally recognized.
4. Lok Adalat is one of various options for resolving consumer complaints or concerns. Some public sector organizations, such as the Railway Authority, MSEDCL, MSRTC, telephone exchanges, and insurance firms, convene Lok Adalat on a regular basis to settle consumer complaints through compromise.