Speedier justice at Lok Nyayalayas

PUNE, June 22: As many as 548 cases were settled and an all-time high of Rs 5 crore paid as compensation by seven Motor Accident Claims Trib...

PUNE, June 22: As many as 548 cases were settled and an all-time high of Rs 5 crore paid as compensation by seven Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Lok Nyayalayas last year establishing that claimants are making a beeline to them in the hope of speedy hearings and quick compensation payments.

The seven MACT Lok Nyayalayas held in 1997-1998 showed a rise of 150 cases and compensation amount of Rs 2 crores compared to 1996-97.

From April 1, 1997 to March 31, 1998, 1599 cases were put up at the Lok Nyayalayas of which 548 were decided. In the same period in 1996-97, 1287 cases were put up of which 383 were settled and Rs 3.5 crore was paid out as compensation.

Three hundred cases have already been lined up for the first Lok Nyayalaya of the year to be held next Sunday. 8220;More and more people are coming to Lok Nyayalayas to get their claims settled,8221; says Mohanrao Deshmukh, member secretary, Pune District Legal Aide and Advice Committee. Increasing pressure on the MACT has resulted in claim applications of 10 years back still being heard in court and it is not unusual to see judgements being delivered on 1988 and 1989 cases. This is happening because number of accident and claims applications for judgements are piling up everyday and the two MACT courts are grossly overburdened with responsibility, feels Deshmukh.

The pressure on the two courts is evident from the fact that in all 1279 cases were filed in the MACT in 1997, which included injury as well as death cases.

While hearing in the tribunals takes days and sometimes years, with evidence recording proving to be a lengthy procedure, at the Lok Nyayalaya the decision takes a day with cheques being issued almost immediately afterwards.

8220;About 100 claimants are approaching the MACT every month and no matter can be disposed of in a day,8221; says Deshmukh. 8220;Sometimes witnesses are not available on the same day, at other time police officers are transferred or advocates are engaged in another court and dates are shifted as per the convenience of all parties,8221; he adds. It is not surprising then that claimants and advocates are willing to forego interest and insist on Lok Nyayalayas where order is passed in a day and cheques can be collected from the court office in the next few days.