Jharkhand High Court Chief Justice V.K. Gupta presents a cheque at the Lok Adalat. Picture by Hardeep Singh

Ranchi, Oct. 16: Settlements worth Rs 1 crore and about 155 odd cases were decided by the permanent Lok Adalat in the first day after its formation in the capital today.

The permanent court of Lok Adalat was inaugurated by Supreme Court Justice B.P. Singh here today. Justice Singh inaugurated the Lok Adalat on the civil court premises for speedy disposal of pending cases. The newly formed Lok Adalat would hold court four times a week after the puja vacations. Tribunal judge Amitabh Kumar is the chairperson and retired LIC divisional officer B.N. Bhatta and retired railway chief goods service officer Balaylal Deb are the new members of the Lok Adalat.

Justice Singh in his speech said: “The concept of Lok Adalats is for the poor and justice has to be made available to them as soon as possible. The presiding officers and lawyers have to play an important role in the proper functioning of the Lok Adalat.”

Singh requested the media to be constructive on their part to promote the benefits of the Lok Adalat. “Mass awakening is important and people should understand the proceedings. The remedies of a Lok Adalat are almost similar to that of a civil court,” he said.

“The response for the first day is satisfactory. The cases disposed today are proof that people want speedy redressal of their disputes and the Lok Adalat is the only solution. The court today decided insurance cases and also some bank matters,” said Lok Adalat member B.N. Bhatta.

Ranchi District Bar Association president Sampat Sharma said: “The legal aid committee which had been formed earlier could not do very well from the beginning. But we will make sure that the same is not repeated with the Lok Adalat.”