Chandigarh, September 12, 2026: Under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority and the guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra, Chief Justice-cum-Patron-in-Chief, State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh, and Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anoop Chitkara, Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh, a National Lok Adalat was organised today at the District Courts Complex, Sector 43, Chandigarh.

The National Lok Adalat was jointly organised by the State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh, and the District Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh.

Fourteen benches, headed by serving Judicial Officers, were constituted at the District Courts Complex. Criminal compoundable cases, cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act, bank recovery cases, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal cases, matrimonial disputes, labour disputes, arbitration matters, civil cases, municipal matters and traffic challans were taken up and settled with the mutual consent of the parties.

A total of 30,145 cases, including pre-litigation cases, pending cases and traffic challans, were disposed of by the benches of serving Judicial Officers. A total settlement amount of ₹18,48,13,828 was recorded in these cases.

In addition, 20,230 pre-litigation cases involving an amount of ₹16,38,342 were disposed of by the regular benches and the Permanent Lok Adalat (Public Utility Services). The State and District Consumer Commissions, Chandigarh, disposed of 62 cases involving an amount of ₹4,25,76,94,574, while the Debt Recovery Tribunal-II, Chandigarh, disposed of 10 cases involving an amount of ₹7.79 crore.

In a matrimonial dispute pending before the Bench of Shri Puneet Mohan Sharma, Additional District and Sessions Judge, Chandigarh, Ms. Harinder Sidhu, officiating District and Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh, made efforts to facilitate a lasting and amicable resolution. After detailed interaction with the parties, the Bench emphasised that the welfare of the minor child must remain the paramount consideration, as children are often the most affected by matrimonial disputes between their parents. The parties sought some time to explore the possibility of an amicable settlement.

Ms. Harinder Sidhu also encouraged litigants to openly share their concerns with the Judges so that sincere efforts could be made to resolve their disputes.

The National Lok Adalat was conducted under the guidance of Hon’ble Mr. Justice Anoop Chitkara, Executive Chairman, State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh. Rooted in Gandhian principles, Lok Adalats have emerged as an effective supplementary forum for the speedy and amicable settlement of disputes.

Ms. Harinder Sidhu; Shri Arun Kumar Aggarwal, Member Secretary, State Legal Services Authority, U.T. Chandigarh; Shri Sachin Yadav, Chief Judicial Magistrate, Chandigarh; and Ms. Sonali Singh, Civil Judge (Senior Division)-cum-Officiating Secretary, District Legal Services Authority, Chandigarh, thanked all stakeholders for making the National Lok Adalat successful. They also appealed to the public to resolve their disputes through Lok Adalats, which provide speedy, economical and amicable justice.