PLA court disposes 726 cases; To hold 30-day campaign | Hubballi News
Dharwad: Not many people are aware that the Supreme Court has set up Permanent Lok Adalat Courts at six destinations across the state. Importantly, permanent district sessions judges have been appointed to dispose of the cases speedily through PLA courts.In a bid to educate the public on the merits of these PLA courts and for speedy disposal of cases, a 30-day campaign has been launched.During this campaign, the judiciary department in association with District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) will organise awareness programmes at five places in each taluk, stated PLA Dharwad court chairman Nagarajappa Kuradakar.Speaking to mediapersons, he stated that all these years, the sitting sessions judge was given additional responsibility of handling the cases and disposing them. However, recognising that this was time-consuming, as the judges sat only once a week to hear cases and the cases continued to pile up, a permanent judge has been appointed to these courts, he informed.The Dharwad PLA has its jurisdiction over seven districts–Ballari, Koppal, Davanagere, Dharwad, Gadag, Uttar Kannada and Haveri and cases related to public utility services can be filed here afresh, he stated.In the last one year, the court has disposed of as many as 726 cases and 479 cases are pending. The verdict delivered here through conciliation cannot be challenged in any other civil courts, the judge said. Another advantage here is that no court fee is charged on the petitioner and the cases are solved amicably. The PLA courts are not bound by CPC (Civil Procedure Code) and Evidence Act, he added.Cases wherein there are discrepencies in public utility services up to Rs one crore compensation can be filed in this court, said Judge Kuradakar.National Lok AdalatDLSA member-secretary and senior civil judge PF Doddmani stated that the courts in dharwad district will be holding National Lok Adalat on Sept 13. Lok Adalat aims at resolving the pending cases through mediation. Different litigations like the civil cases, criminal cases, motor vehicle accidents, family disputes, labour compensation and others that could be resolved through mediation will be taken up at the Lok Adalats. Arrangements have also been made to resolve the pre-litigation incidents related to the banks, labour act and water and electricity supply at the Lok Adalats.
