A total of 71,94,079 cases were resolved during Chhattisgarh’s first National Lok Adalat of 2026, held across State on Saturday. An award amount of Rs 37,332.45 crore was passed. In a major push for swift, accessible, and affordable justice, Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron-in-Chief of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority (CGSLA), Justice Ramesh Sinha, inaugurated the event at the District and Sessions Court in Durg. He was accompanied by Portfolio Judge for Durg district, Justice Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi. During the visit, the Chief Justice inspected Lok Adalat proceedings and interacted with judicial officers, advocates, and officials from banking institutions and the electricity department.

 

He stressed that collective cooperation among stakeholders is vital to reduce judicial backlogs and ensure effective dispute resolution. Praising participants’ efforts, he urged them to promote amicable settlements for speedy justice to litigants. The Chief Justice also launched a theme song on Lok Adalat and mediation awareness at the Durg District Court. Composed in Chhattisgarh’s traditional Pandwani style, it aims to spread the message of amicable dispute resolution culturally to a wider audience. He virtually reviewed proceedings at the HC and across all 23 districts. Cases covered criminal compoundable offences, civil disputes, revenue matters, pre-litigation cases, and traffic challans. Over 10,13,730 cases settled in Durg district:

 

In accordance with the directions of the National Legal Services Authority, New Delhi, and under the guidance of the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority, Bilaspur, the National Lok Adalat organized on 14 March (Saturday) at the District Court Durg concluded with historic success. The event was ceremonially inaugurated by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh, Ramesh Sinha. Chief Justice and the Portfolio Judge Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi, Judge of the High Court of Chhattisgarh were formally escorted to the venue upon arrival by a disciplined contingent of NCC cadets. National Lok Adalat witnessed an overwhelming response, with a total of 39 benches constituted across District Court Durg, Family Court Durg, and Civil Courts at Bhilai-3, Patan, and Dhamdha.

 

Through the collective efforts of the judiciary and other stakeholders, total 10,13,826 cases were taken up, out of which 10,13,730 cases were settled. These settlements resulted in the awarding of a total compensation and settlement amount of Rs. 49,60,31,667. In his inaugural address, the Chief Justice emphasized that Lok Adalat is a vital platform for providing speedy, accessible, and amicable justice to the common man. To enhance public awareness through cultural connect, a special Pandwani song based on the themes of the National Lok Adalat was officially released. Adding a vibrant cultural dimension to the event, the Cultural and Nukkad Natak team, comprising esteemed members of the District Court Bar, performed and sang the newly released Pandwani song within the court premises.

 

The proceedings were conducted through both physical and virtual modes, allowing litigants from distant areas to participate via video conferencing. Additionally, the mobile awareness vans reached out to elderly and infirm litigants at their residences. Law students from various law colleges in the district also attended the court proceedings with great enthusiasm. A free community kitchen (Langar) was organized by social institution for the litigants, advocates, and visitors. Additionally, an exhibition-cum-sale stall showcasing products prepared by the inmates of Central Jail, Durg, and free health check-up camp were also organized.