13,482 traffic challans settled at Lok Adalat, Rs22.3L recovered

Legal Correspondent

Ludhiana, September 11

In the National Lok Adalat held here at the District Courts Complex, youngsters were given the concessions on fine amount of traffic challans with counselling & commitment for not indulging in violation of the traffic norms in future.

As many as 13,482 traffic challans were settled with recovery of Rs 22,32,150. As per information, the general trend to settle traffic challan was half of the fixed fine amount and in several cases where the litigants were unable to pay, they were charged even less than half of the prescribed fine amount. But the authorities suggested that if anyone indulges in violating traffic norms in future, he/she would not be entitled for any concession.

Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Munish Singal along with DLSA Secretary-cum-CJM PS Kaleka also interacted with the parents of underage drivers, who came to the Lok Adalat to settle their traffic challans. They asked them to encourage their wards to obey the law in letter and spirit.

Showing concern over the rising trend of vehicles driven by teenagers, he said the school authorities should also sensitise students to desist from violating traffic rules.

The Lok Adalat succeeded in settling 16,939 cases out of 24,123 involving passing of awards to the tune of Rs 1,02,03,69,867 crore in cases including civil, compoundable criminal cases, cheque bounce cases, revenue cases, traffic challans, motor accident claim cases, bank recovery matters, rent cases and service matter.

The Lok Adalat Benches were headed by different judges, including Additional District and Sessions Judge Raj Kumar Garg, ADJ Bishan Saroop, ADJ Mohit Bansal, ADJ Monika Goyal, ADJ Sanjiv Joshi , ADJ Vijay Kumar, Principal Judge, Family Court, Ajaib Singh, Additional Principal Judges of Family Court ADJ Rakesh Kumar, ADJ RK Sharma, Permanent Lok Adalat Chairman BS Sandhu and CJM Sumit Makkar.

The DLSA secretary-cum-CJM, PS Kaleka, exhorted the litigants to resolve their disputes through Lok Adalats as it would save their valuable time and money. Once a dispute is settled through Lok Adalat, then the court fee already paid by a party at the time of filing of a case is refunded.