New Delhi: In an unusual and noteworthy occurrence, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud presided over a session of the Lok Adalat at the Supreme Court on Monday. He was joined by senior advocate Kapil Sibal, marking a rare instance where a prominent member of the bar shared the bench with the judiciary. The panel also included Justices JB Pardiwala, Manoj Mishra, and Vipin Nair, the President of the Supreme Court Advocate on Record Association.
During the proceedings, Chief Justice Chandrachud recounted a memorable case handled by a previous Lok Adalat, highlighting the concilliatory nature of these courts. “I remember a case where a husband filed for divorce at the Patiala House Court while the wife sought custody of their children and maintenance. They attended pre-Lok Adalat sessions and ultimately decided to reconcile. When they appeared before the Lok Adalat, they expressed their intention to live together happily, with the wife even forgoing maintenance,” he shared. This anecdote emphasised the primary objective of Lok Adalats: to amicably resolve minor disputes and promote reconcilliation.
CJI Chandrachud underscored the significance of Lok Adalats in settling smaller cases, which often go unnoticed but constitute a significant portion of the Supreme Court’s docket. He mentioned that cases related to service, labour disputes, land acquisition, and motor accident claims are typically addressed in Lok Adalats. “The presence of Bar members on the Lok Adalat panel alongside judges sends a strong message to society that we are united in our commitment to justice, especially in these smaller matters,” he added.
Speaking to NDTV, Kapil Sibal reflected on his unique experience. “For the first time, I was not on the side of the bar but on the bench. It was a privilege to share the bench with such esteemed judges. When the Supreme Court began live streaming, I was the first to initiate arguments in the Maharashtra case,” Sibal said, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity.
This session of the Lok Adalat at the Supreme Court is scheduled to run from July 29 to August 2, with hearings commencing at 2 PM each day after regular court business. A total of seven Lok Adalat benches have been established to handle the caseload during this period, demonstrating the judiciary’s commitment to swift and amicable dispute resolution.
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