Bilaspur, March 11th, 2026: In a significant stride towards reducing judicial pendency and ensuring accessible justice, Hon’ble Shri Justice Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice, High Court of Chhattisgarh and Patron-in-Chief, Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority (CGSLSA), convened a virtual meeting with all Principal District Judges/Chairpersons, Secretaries of District Legal Services Authorities (DLSAs), Judges of Family Courts, Chairpersons of Permanent Lok Adalats, Chief Judicial Magistrates, and Judges of Labour Courts across the State. The virtual meet focused on the final preparations for the upcoming National Lok Adalat, scheduled for 14th March, 2026.
The meeting was co-chaired by Hon’ble Shri Justice Sanjay K. Agrawal, Executive Chairman, Chhattisgarh State Legal Services Authority, and Hon’ble Shri Justice Parth Prateem Sahu, Chairman, High Court Legal Services Committee, Bilaspur.
Hon’ble the Chief Justice underscored the importance of making special, concerted efforts to identify and dispose of the maximum number of long-pending civil and compoundable criminal cases during the National Lok Adalat. He particularly emphasized focused attention on cases involving women, senior citizens, matters under the Negotiable Instruments Act, and Motor Accident Claim cases.
He emphasized that all the Judicial Officers must proactively motivate litigants to resolve their disputes—both pre-litigation and pending matters—through the National Lok Adalat, highlighting its role as an efficient, accessible, and effective alternative dispute resolution mechanism that delivers timely justice.
It is noteworthy that, in accordance with the annual calendar issued by the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), New Delhi, the National Lok Adalat will be conducted on 14th March, 2026 across all courts in the State, including the High Court, District Courts, Tehsil Courts, Family Courts, Forums and Tribunals, and all Revenue Courts. A wide range of civil and compoundable criminal cases shall be taken up for amicable settlement.
Furthermore, disputes relating to Public Utility Services will also be addressed during the National Lok Adalat through Mohalla Lok Adalats, ensuring deeper outreach and enhanced access to justice for the public. Based on the latest data received from various districts, a total of 40,21,821 pre-litigation cases and 97,788 pending cases have been identified, and continuous efforts are underway to amicably resolve these disputes.
