Lok Adalats are alternative forums to reduce the pendency of cases; Lokayukta Justice Vishwanath Shetty
Udupi: “In view of the increasing pendency of cases in courts, the only alternative forum to reduce the pendency is the Lok Adalat”, said Justice Vishwanath Shetty Lokayukta of Karnataka. He was speaking after inaugurating the legal awareness programme at the District court premises here on Saturday, November 18.
Apart from Lok Adalats, alternative dispute resolution, mediation, conciliation and settlement through Judicial Forums were the other available modes for resolution of cases. He emphasised the need for approaching Lok Adalats for early disposal of cases. The time had come for the civil society, mainly the Advocates to join hands to fight against corruption.
Further, the Justice called upon advocates to help the poor get justice through the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority. The objectives of the Constitution can be met only when the poor are guaranteed justice without any financial constraints, he added.
The missing cases of Children and women are rising day by day. The Karnataka Lokayukta has received a memorandum of missing cases and we have registered suo moto cases. I have directed the officials to give a report of the missing children and women from each and every police station of the state, he said.
District chief and sessions judge Venkatesh T Naik, Superintendent of Police Dr Sanjeev M Patil, Bar Council president Ratnakar Shetty, Secretary Santhosh Hebbar, Legal Services Authority member secretary Latha and others were present.
Prior the programme the MSW students of Milagres College Kallianpur staged a street play on Legal service awareness.