Suspension of Permanent Lok Adalats in Rajasthan Delays Justice
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | Non-functioning of Permanent Lok Adalats (PLAs) in 16 districts of Rajasthan due to the state government's delay in extending the tenure of presiding officers and members. |
| Key Issue | Suspension of PLAs has led to delays in resolving thousands of pending cases, with over 972 cases pending in Jodhpur alone and an estimated backlog of 10,000+ cases across districts. |
| Judicial Response | Rajasthan High Court took suo motu cognisance, citing Article 21 (right to fair trial) and referenced Brij Mohan Lal vs. Union of India (2012). Appointed a Senior Advocate as amicus curiae. |
| About PLAs | - Operate under Section 22-B of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. |
| - Provide mandatory pre-litigation conciliation for Public Utility Services. | |
| - Comprise a Chairman (retired judicial officer) and two members with public service or legal experience. | |
| - Awards are final and binding, with no appeal allowed. | |
| Implications | - Access to justice hampered, especially for vulnerable sections. |
| - Judicial backlog likely to increase. | |
| - Disruption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) framework. | |
| - Litigant uncertainty and erosion of trust in the legal system. | |
| About Lok Adalat | - Part of the ADR system, established for quick, inexpensive justice. |
| - Governed by the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, granting it statutory status and authority to pass binding awards. | |
| Important Figures | - Rajasthan High Court, State Legal Services Authority, Senior Advocate as amicus curiae. |