Lok Adalat Meant for Conciliated Settlement of Disputes, Not for Orders on Merits, Training of Judicial Officers Directed: Jammu and Kashmir High Court

The Jammu & Kashmir High Court has reiterated that Lok Adalats do not possess adjudicatory powers and can only record settlements between willing parties. The Court held that when a compromise is not reached, the case must be referred back to the appropriate court. In this case, the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) in Handwara had passed an award in a Lok Adalat that was found to have exceeded its jurisdiction,…