The 2nd Quarterly National Lok Adalat 2025, conducted by District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs) under the aegis of the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority (NSLSA), disposed of 219 cases with a total settlement amount of Rs. 2.38 crore.
Of the 290 cases taken up, 192 were pre-litigation cases and 27 were pending cases. Most cases involved bank loan recovery, telephone bill disputes, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) cases, and other consumer and civil matters.
Lok Adalat, also known as the “People’s Court,” is an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism aimed at reducing the court backlog, providing swift access to justice for marginalized communities, and ensuring cost-effective settlement of disputes.
District-wise case disposals:
- Zunheboto: Held at the District Court Complex, presided over by District & Sessions Judge Phuleto Yeptho, NJS. Two pre-litigation bank recovery cases were settled, amounting to Rs.10.38 lakh.
- Phek: Conducted at SBI Chozuba, chaired by Sekhotso Rokha, Panel Lawyer. 24 bank recovery cases were settled, totaling Rs.26.04 lakh.
- Kohima: Held at the District Court Complex, presided by Principal District & Sessions Judge Duvelu Vero, NJS. A total of 34 cases were resolved, including bank recovery and telephone bill disputes, with a settlement amount of Rs. 23.04 lakh.
- Kiphire: Presided over by Chief Judicial Magistrate Holika Sukhalu at the District Court Complex. Eight bank loan recovery cases were settled, amounting to Rs. 5.70 lakh.
- Longleng: Conducted at the District Court, presided over by Chief Judicial Magistrate Kumdilong Kessen, NJS. Four bank loan recovery cases were settled, totaling Rs. 84,157.
- Mokokchung: Presided by Chief Judicial Magistrate Julian Sithlhou at the District Court. Eleven bank loan recovery cases were settled, amounting to Rs. 9.86 lakh.
- Peren: Held at Jalukie Town, presided over by CJM Atoka Achumi, NJS. Four pre-litigation bank recovery cases were settled, totaling Rs. 9.76 lakh.
- Mon: Conducted at the District Court Mon. Five pre-litigation and 17 pending trial bank recovery cases were settled, with Rs. 8.39 lakh disposed of.
- Tuensang: Held at SBI Tuensang, presided over by Principal District & Sessions Judge Somet Chumden Chang, NJS. Seven bank recovery cases were settled, totaling Rs. 14.97 lakh.
- Wokha: Conducted at the District Court Complex, presided by District & Sessions Judge Seyielenuo Mezhu. Six bank recovery cases were settled, amounting to Rs.4.32 lakh.
- Dimapur: Held at Dimapur District Court premises. A total of 133 pre-litigation cases were taken up, with 93 settled, along with 22 pending trial cases, amounting to Rs. 1.25 crore.