Purpose of Lok Adalat is to remind people that we are a constant presence in their lives: CJI Chandrachud

Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud spoke at the conclusion of a Special Lok Adalat week. More than 1000 cases were resolved through an out-of-court settlement. “The idea behind creating this institution which would reach out to people was to ensure that this would not be one of those kinds of courts like the American Supreme Court, which deals with 180 constitutional cases but a court that will truly be a court reaching out to the lives of common citizens. The purpose of the Lok Adalat has been to take justice to the homes of the people and to remind people that we are a constant presence in their lives,” Chandrachud said. 

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The cases resolved included bouncing of cheques, compensation for accidents and pension-related issues to name a few. Chandrachud provided a historical context to highlight the role of the supreme court in dispensing justice. “When the Constitution was framed by stalwarts like Baba Saheb BR Ambedkar, they introduced Article 136 with a mission. This was a court set up in an essentially poor society where there was absence of access to justice. We operated in colonial structures of patriarchy, oppression, caste discrimination...Though we are at the apex of the Indian judicial system, we are closely and deeply associated with the lives of our citizens,” Chandrachud added.