In a recent ruling, the Rajasthan High Court addressed a situation where a Lok Adalat dismissed a case due to a party’s refusal to acknowledge its jurisdiction.
Lok Adalats and Their Jurisdiction
The court clarified that Lok Adalats do not possess the authority to dismiss cases merely because one or more parties refuse to appear before them. Justice Arun Monga emphasized that if disputes referred to a Lok Adalat are not settled amicably, the Adalat should return the case to the referring court.
Legal Process and Authority
“In instances where no agreement is reached, and no decision is made by the Lok Adalat, the case records must be sent back to the original court for further handling,” stated Justice Monga in the court’s July 1 order. This ensures that the appropriate legal procedures and laws are followed.
Purpose and Limitations of Lok Adalats
Lok Adalats serve as alternative platforms for resolving disputes, whether they are pending in court or at pre-litigation stages. These forums aim to reduce the burden on courts and expedite the resolution of legal conflicts under the Legal Service Authorities Act, 1987. However, Justice Monga clarified that Lok Adalats cannot dismiss cases due to a party’s non-participation.
Case Background
The High Court’s ruling came in response to a petition filed by an individual challenging the dismissal of his case by a Lok Adalat. The Lok Adalat had dismissed the case when the petitioner refused to submit to its jurisdiction. The High Court determined that the Lok Adalat had overstepped its bounds by dismissing the case and ordered that the matter be restored to its original status.
The State of Rajasthan was represented by Public Prosecutor Gaurav Singh, while advocate Moti Singh appeared for the petitioner.
