Durg, March 14, 2026: The National Lok Adalat held at the District Court premises in Durg, Chhattisgarh, was inaugurated by the Chief Justice of the High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron in Chief SLSA, Shri Ramesh Sinha, in the presence of Naresh Kumar Chandravanshi, Portfolio Judge for District Durg. The event was organized under the aegis of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Durg, in accordance with the directions issued by the National Legal Services Authority and the Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority.
Upon arrival at the court premises, the dignitaries were ceremonially received and escorted to the venue by a contingent of NCC cadets, adding solemnity to the proceedings.
Lok Adalat Strengthens Access To Justice: Hon’ble Chief Justice
In the State of Chhattisgarh the Lok Adalat was organised under the leadership of Hon’ble Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice of High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron-in-Chief of the State Legal Services Authority. In his inaugural address, His Lordship Hon’ble Chief Justice Sinha addressed the judicial officers, sharing profound wisdom and guidance, underscoring the significance of Lok Adalats as an effective mechanism for ensuring speedy, affordable, and amicable resolution of disputes. Emphasizing the role of such forums in reducing pendency, His Lordship observed that Lok Adalats embody the spirit of participatory justice and social harmony by encouraging voluntary settlements.
Pandwani-Themed Lok Adalat Awareness Song Launched
A key highlight of the event was the launch of a Lok Adalat Awareness Theme Song, composed in the traditional Pandwani style, a folk art form deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Chhattisgarh.
Lyrics of the Theme Song (in local chhattisgarhi language) is as follows –
बोल दे छत्तीसगढ़ महतारी की… जय!
न्याय-न्याय होथे भाई,
बोल दे छत्तीसगढ़ महतारी की… जय!
न्याय-न्याय होथे भाई,
हव जी!
सुनथस रागी?
सुनथ हव दीदी!
जन-मानस ला जल्दी न्याय देबर,
हौ!
राष्ट्रीय विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण,
अच्छा!
राज्य विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण,
हव जी!
अउ जिला विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण के स्थापना करे गे हे।
अच्छा!
जेखर द्वारा हमर आपस के विवाद ला,
हव !
कचहरी में जल्दी सुलझाय बर,
अच्छा जी!
“मेडिएशन सेंटर” बनाये गे हे।
काहे के हे दीदी?
मेडिएशन सेंटर गा!
अच्छा-अच्छा-अच्छा…
ओखर बारे में आज आप मन ला,
हव !
बतावत हव रागी।
ले बता दीदी, बता।
जब हमर देश ला आजादी मिलिस ना,
अच्छा -अच्छा-अच्छा…
तब हमर नवा संविधान बनिस।
हव जी!
जेखर उद्देश्य रिहिस हे,
हव !
कि हम सब ला,
अच्छा!
शीघ्र अउ सस्ता न्याय मिल जाय।
अच्छा………
ओही उद्देश्य ला, अच्छा!
पूरा करे खातिर बर, जी!
हमर विधिक सेवा प्राधिकरण हा,
हव !
“लोक अदालत”
अच्छा!
अउ “मेडिएशन सेंटर” के माध्यम से
हव !
जम्मो समस्या ला सुलझावत हावे।
अच्छा- अच्छा…
सही बात ला बताथस दीदी, हव !
गांव के झगड़ा ला गांव में सुलझाबो भैया,
कोट-कचहरी के बाहर गा संगवारी भाई।
गांव के झगड़ा ला गांव में सुलझाबो भैया,
कोट-कचहरी के बाहर गा संगवारी भाई।
समय बांच जाही, (हव जी!)
धन बांच जाही, (का बात हे!)
हारिही ना कोई, (हौ गा!)
मान बने रही। (अच्छा!)
समय बांच जाही, धन बांच जाही,
हारिही ना कोई, मान बने रही।
मिल-जुल के झगड़ा निपटाबो गा संगवारी भाई,
मिल-जुल के झगड़ा मिटाबो गा संगवारी भाई।
मिल-जुल के झगड़ा निपटाबो गा संगवारी भाई।
Youtube link for the song: https://youtu.be/CQ-cR_sx8IY?si=kHUPjOo3dcAcOh1T
The initiative aims to enhance legal awareness by connecting with the masses through culturally resonant mediums. The theme song is intended to be used widely for outreach and awareness campaigns, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
Cultural Performance By Bar Members Appreciated
Adding a cultural dimension to the programme, members of the District Bar presented a live performance based on the local theme. The performance, was appreciated for its innovative approach to promoting the objectives of Lok Adalat through art and storytelling.
Substantial Disposal Of Cases Across Benches
In Durg, The National Lok Adalat witnessed wide participation across multiple forums, including the District Court, Family Court, and courts at Bhilai-3, Patan, and Dhamdha. A total of 39 benches were constituted, taking up 10,13,826 cases, out of which 10,13,730 cases were successfully settled including 59 motor accident claim cases, resulting in a settlement amount of Rs. 49,60,31,667. In the prelitigation category 1,13,439 cases were successfully resolved.
Disputes relating to compoundable criminal offences, civil matters, cheque dishonour cases, matrimonial disputes, motor accident claims, and pre-litigation matters were resolved amicably. Notably, several matrimonial disputes were settled through counselling, leading to reconciliation between families, while motor accident claim cases ensured timely compensation to victims.
The proceedings were conducted in both physical and virtual modes, enabling litigants from remote locations to participate via video conferencing. Mobile outreach initiatives also facilitated access for elderly and infirm litigants, ensuring inclusivity in the justice delivery process.
Enriching Exposure for Law Students
The event also served as an enriching educational platform, wherein law students from various colleges were invited to attend and observe the proceedings. Their participation offered them a deeply enriching experience, enabling a better understanding of the functioning of Lok Adalats and the broader role of the judiciary in ensuring accessible justice.
Holistic Approach: Legal Aid Meets Social Welfare
The event also witnessed complementary welfare initiatives, including a community kitchen for litigants and visitors, a jail products exhibition, and a free health check-up camp, reinforcing the broader social commitment of legal services institutions.
The District Court, Durg witnessed a vibrant atmosphere of enthusiasm and positive energy with arrival of Lordship, Hon’ble Chief Justice Shri Ramesh Sinha at National Lok Adalat. The gracious visit of the Hon’ble Chief Justice further enhanced the dignity of the occasion. This initiative not only facilitated the speedy resolution of disputes, but also played a significant role in strengthening public confidence in the justice delivery system. Principal District and Sessions Judge, Shri K. Vinod Kujur conveyed his heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble The Chief Justice for graciously adorning the momentous occasion and rendering it truly meaningful and memorable.
