UPSC Prelims 2010 · General Studies

Question 12: Polity and Governance

With reference to Lok Adalats, which of the following statements is correct ?

aLok Adalats have the jurisdiction to settle the matters at pre-litigative stage and not those matters pending before any court

bLok Adalats can deal with matters which are civil and not criminal in nature

cEvery Lok Adalat consists of either serving or retired judicial officers only and not any other person

dNone of the statements given above is correct

AnswerThe answer is (d).

Under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, Lok Adalats can settle disputes at the pre-litigation stage and also cases already pending in a court. They handle civil cases and criminal cases that are compoundable, and each Lok Adalat includes serving or retired judicial officers together with other persons such as lawyers or social workers. Their award is treated as a civil court decree and is final. So statements (a), (b) and (c) are all wrong. Remember: Lok Adalat = settlement by compromise, pre-litigation and pending matters.

Why each option is right or wrong

(a) They also settle matters already pending before a court, not only pre-litigation ones.
(b) Compoundable criminal cases can also be settled in them.
(c) Other persons, such as lawyers and social workers, also serve on a Lok Adalat.
(d) Right: none of the three statements holds.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2010, General Studies, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.