- By Kamal Kumar
- Sat, 03 Aug 2024 08:53 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
New Delhi: People often get so tired of the matters of the courts that they resort to settlement even if such arrangement is not very beneficial to them, Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said on Saturday, highlighting the crucial role of Lok Adalats in the Indian justice system. His remarks came as the Supreme Court holds a special Lok Adalat for the amicable settlements of compoundable cases.
The CJI further criticised the lengthy court proceedings saying that many times it turns out to be a punishment to the litigant, who start to think that they should stay away from courts.
"Log itna trast ho jate hain court ke mamlon se wo koi bhi settlement chahte hain. Bas court se dur kara dijiye (People are often fed up with court proceedings that they resort to whatever settlement they can. They think 'just keep us away from courts')," the CJI said as quoted by Bar and Bench.
People Just Want To Get Out Of Court Matters: CJI
CJI further mentioned several cases resolved in the special Lok Adalat and expressed the need to institutionalise the process of providing justice through Lok Adalats. He referred to a motor accident case where the claimant was willing to settle for a lower compensation despite being entitled to a higher amount.
DY Chandrachud stated that parties are ready to accept any form of settlement because they want to exit the litigation. He also underscored the necessity of institutionalising the process of delivering justice through Lok Adalats.
Highlighted Systematic Inequalities In Lok Adalat Cases
The Chief Justice further highlighted the systematic inequalities in the proceedings of the Lok Adalat. He said due to these inequalities judges sitting in Lok Adalat do not tend to settle the matters for a lower amount even though the parties agree to such a settlement.
"Very often we say we will not allow settlement as it reflects pre-existing inequalities in the society. For example in a case, when Justice Vikram Nath heard an offer of ₹1 lakh as a settlement charge, he denied it. He said a better outcome should be there and thus ₹6 lakh with consent was ordered," the CJI stated.
The Chief Justice of India spoke at the commemoration of the week-long Lok Adalat held at the Supreme Court of India from July 29 to August 2, during which several benches of the top court resolved over 1,000 cases.