How are the proceedings and status of a Lok Adalat treated under Indian law?

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Proceedings are judicial and Lok Adalat is deemed a civil court under CrPC.

Explanation:

• Lok Adalats are formal legal proceedings under the Indian legal system and are recognized under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987.

• The Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), under Section 2(m), treats Lok Adalat as a civil court for the purposes of its jurisdiction in matters related to dispute resolution.

• The proceedings in Lok Adalats are judicial in nature, and they have the authority to resolve disputes through mediation and conciliation.

• Once the dispute is settled, the decision is considered final and binding, and the court’s approval is obtained to make the award enforceable by law.

Information Booster:

• Lok Adalats are part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism and are aimed at providing quick, cost-effective, and informal resolutions to disputes, especially in cases like family disputes, motor accident claims, and matrimonial cases.

• The National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) is responsible for overseeing the functioning of Lok Adalats at the national level.

• Section 21 of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 gives the Lok Adalats the status of a civil court in matters of conciliation and mediation, with the power to make awards that are legally enforceable.