Special mediation drive and National Lok Adalat on Sept 13 in DK

Special mediation drive and National Lok Adalat on Sept 13 in DK

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, September 4, 2025: As part of the Supreme Court’s directive to settle pending disputes through conciliation, a 90-day special mediation campaign titled “Mediation for the Nation” is currently underway, informed Dakshina Kannada District Principal Judge Basavaraj. The campaign, which began on July 1, will continue until October 7, alongside a National Lok Adalat scheduled for September 13.

Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Judge Basavaraj said that both the mediation drive and Lok Adalat will provide an opportunity for speedy resolution of pending and pre-litigation cases through amicable settlement.

Cases related to motor accident compensation, cheque bounce, bank loan recovery, sand transportation, labour disputes, marital and maintenance issues (excluding divorce), consumer disputes, land acquisition, compensation distribution, power and water bills, service-related claims, pension matters, birth certificate corrections, and other civil disputes eligible for compromise can all be addressed under this initiative.

50 advocates in the district are serving as mediators. For the September 13 Lok Adalat, 36 benches will be set up across the district. Litigants who settle disputes through conciliation will receive a full refund of court fees, and the settlement will be binding without scope for appeal.

The mediation sessions will be held at the District Legal Services Authority office in Mangaluru and in mediation centres at taluk court complexes. Jai Bhunnisa, Member Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority, was also present at the briefing.

 

50% waiver on traffic fines

As per a government order dated August 21, 2025, the Transport Department has announced a 50% concession on fines recorded through police e-challans. This waiver will apply only to cases settled between August 23 and September 12.

So far, over 13,000 cases in the district have already been disposed of under this scheme, Judge Basavaraj revealed. In the previous Lok Adalat, traffic and other pre-litigation cases worth ₹98.43 crore were resolved, with 802 cases taken up and 91 successfully settled.

For the upcoming Lok Adalat, the target is to settle 5,000 cases, he added.