Thane

The Lok Adalat in Thane, Maharashtra, resolved 3,07,255 cases in 2025, awarding a total compensation of Rs 754.85 crore, officials said on Thursday.

Lok Adalats are alternative dispute resolution forums that allow fast and cost-effective settlement of disputes, both pending in courts and at pre-litigation stages, through conciliation and compromise. Awards given by Lok Adalats carry the same weight as civil court decrees.

“To settle over Rs 754 crore in a single year shows that Lok Adalats are now a cornerstone of our judicial system,” said R S Pajankar, Secretary of the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA).

Most cases involved financial and recovery matters, including bank recoveries, cheque bounce disputes, and motor accident claims. Pajankar noted that Rs 117 crore was awarded to accident victims and nearly Rs 166 crore went to the banking sector, helping capital and relief flow quickly back into society.

“Volume is as important as value. Resolving 1.2 lakh revenue matters and thousands of utility disputes eases the burden on citizens, removing minor stressors from everyday life,” he said.

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The Lok Adalat also amicably settled 282 marital disputes last year, highlighting its broad role in addressing both financial and social matters.