43 cases from DK identified for settlement during Samadhan Samaroh: Judge

Mangaluru: The Supreme Court will organise Samadhan Samaroh 2026, a special Lok Adalat aimed at amicable settlement of pending cases, from Aug 21 to 23, principal district and sessions judge and chairman of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Basavaraj said.

He told reporters on Tuesday that the Supreme Court identified 4,328 cases across Karnataka that are suitable for settlement through mediation. Of these, 43 cases are from Dakshina Kannada and are currently pending before the apex court. He said that if the identified matters fall within the jurisdiction of the Legal Services Authority, notices will be issued to the parties concerned, mediators will be appointed, and arrangements will be made to facilitate mediation proceedings.

Those having doubts or seeking clarification regarding settlement of their pending Supreme Court cases can approach the local Taluk Legal Services Committee or the DLSA, he said.

Judge Basavaraj said special Lok Adalats for cases under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments (NI) Act will also be conducted on July 18 and Nov 21. He noted that awareness programmes would be organised to encourage parties to settle disputes amicably through mediation. In Dakshina Kannada alone, there are 13,357 pending cheque bounce cases, he said.

The judge further said that the national Lok Adalat will be held across Dakshina Kannada district on July 11 to ensure speedy and amicable resolution of disputes.

The Lok Adalat will take up a wide range of matters, including motor accident compensation claims, cheque bounce cases, matrimonial and property disputes, bank recovery cases, illegal sand mining matters, labour and land acquisition compensation cases, birth certificate-related issues, pension disputes, and pre-litigation cases related to electricity and water bills.

Proceedings will be held at courts in Mangaluru, Puttur, Sullia, Bantwal, Belthangady and Moodubidire.

Basavaraj pointed out that once a pending case is settled through a Lok Adalat, the court fee paid by the parties is refunded and the settlement becomes final, with no provision for appeal.

DLSA member secretary and senior civil judge Zaibunnisa said, about 55,335 cases were pending in Dakshina Kannada district courts. During the previous Lok Adalat held in March, as many as 3,197 cases were disposed of, and compensation amounting to Rs 19 crore was awarded.