A total of 384 matters and cases were amicably settled and disposed of during the 1st Quarter National Lok Adalat held across Nagaland on March 14. Out of 511 cases taken up for settlement, 11 benches were set up in the district headquarters under the District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), functioning under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA). The total settlement amount stood at Rs. 4,75,37,148, with a disposal success rate of 75.15%.
Cases taken up included pre-litigation matters such as bank recovery, loan recovery, and telephone bill disputes, as well as pending cases involving criminal compoundable offences, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) matters, and other civil disputes.
District-wise highlights:
- Longleng: The Lok Adalat was conducted at the District Court Complex with Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Kumdilong Kessen, as Presiding Officer. Assisted by Retainer Lawyer K. Bongyei Phom, Deputy LADC Monyei Phom, and Panel Lawyer L. Yingloi Phom, three cases (two pre-litigation and one pending) were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 6,97,389.
- Phek: Presided over by District & Sessions Judge-cum-chairperson, Duvelu Vero, 51 bank recovery loan cases were taken up and disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 93,07,049.
- Kiphire: Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Holika Sukhalu, presided over the sitting. Of 31 pre-litigation bank recovery cases, 11 were disposed of, amounting to Rs.3,26,047.
- Kohima: Under the supervision of KDLSA chairperson and Principal District & Sessions Judge, Mezivolu T. Therieh, and secretary KDLSA, Cheliam Khiamniungan, 20 cases were taken up, including 17 pre-litigation, two pending MACT cases, and one money suit. All were successfully disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs.22,04,927.
- Mon: Presided by Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Wokono Yhoshii, 14 cases were taken up, of which 11 were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 58,59,268.
- Mokokchung: Chief Judicial Magistrate-cum-Secretary, Julian Sithlou, presided over the sitting. All 15 pre-litigation bank recovery cases were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 33,49,633.
- Wokha: Presided by District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairperson, Seyielenuo Mezhu, five pre-litigation bank recovery cases were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 8,57,561.
- Zunheboto: Presided by District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Phuleto Yepth, 12 pre-litigation bank recovery cases were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs.14,81,608.
- Tuensang: Principal District & Sessions Judge-cum-Chairman, Somet Chumden Chang, presided over the sitting. Of 14 bank recovery cases taken up, five were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 7,99,500.
- Peren: Conducted at SBI Jalukie Branch, presided by Khrievono Seletsu, 200 pre-litigation bank cases were taken up, of which 110 were settled, with a settlement amount of Rs. 48,71,500.
- Dimapur: At the District Court Complex, 146 cases were taken up, of which 141 were disposed of, with a settlement amount of Rs. 1,65,12,665.