Bhadrak (27 February 2026): The first National Lok Adalat of 2026 will be held on March 14 at the District Court premises in Bhadrak. The announcement was made by Punya Shloka Rath, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), under the direction of Prabhat Kumar Rajguru, the Chairman-in-Charge of the Authority.
The National Lok Adalat will take up a wide range of pending cases for settlement through mutual consent. These include compoundable criminal cases, cheque bounce cases, bank loan disputes, revenue matters, labour and employment disputes, electricity and water bill-related disputes (excluding non-compoundable matters), matrimonial disputes (except divorce), land acquisition cases, service-related matters such as salary, allowances and retirement benefits, motor vehicle accident claims, and other civil disputes.
In addition to pending court cases, pre-litigation matters—cases that have not yet been formally filed in court—can also be resolved during the Lok Adalat. These include cheque bounce disputes, BSNL-related cases, bank loan issues, labour and employment disputes, compoundable criminal cases, and other civil matters.
The District Legal Services Authority is actively working to ensure maximum public participation and awareness about the benefits of the National Lok Adalat. Authorities have urged the public to take advantage of this opportunity without hesitation or fear, emphasizing that disputes can be settled amicably, quickly, and without lengthy court procedures.
