Published Jan 23, 2025 | 3:45 PM ⚊ Updated Jan 23, 2025 | 3:45 PM
Representational image. Credit: iStock
In a pioneering move towards resolving mounting legal disputes and promoting out-of-court settlements, Vamanapuram Assembly Constituency in Thiruvananthapuram is set to take a historic step by becoming Kerala’s first ‘dispute-free constituency.’
The initiative, spearheaded by the Vamanapuram Block Panchayath and supported by the Thiruvananthapuram District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), aims to provide a speedy and efficient dispute redressal mechanism to its citizens.
The programme will officially be launched this Friday, with the first Adalat scheduled for Saturday.
By incorporating a blend of arbitration, mediation, and conciliation, the Adalat is expected to bring quick and effective resolutions to various disputes, ensuring that justice is neither delayed nor denied.
Highlighting the vision behind this initiative, C R Rajeev, secretary of the Vamanapuram Block Panchayath, told South First, “The Supreme Court has often cited the huge backlog of cases in our judicial system, which includes both civil and criminal courts. Timely delivery of justice has become almost impossible, and as the saying goes, ‘justice delayed is justice denied.’ Out-of-court settlements through mechanisms like Adalats were promoted by the apex court to address this concern.”
Rajeev further explained, “While Adalats at the grama panchayath level are not new in Kerala, having one at the Assembly Constituency level is a first. Through this initiative, we aim to address both civil and criminal disputes, except cases like POCSO, murder, rape, and grievous hurt and others which mandate court filing.”
One of the most significant advantages of this initiative is its ability to provide quick resolutions.
Unlike court cases that may take years to conclude, disputes handled by the Adalat can often be resolved within days, provided the parties involved are willing to settle. This feature is expected to attract a wide range of complaints from across the constituency.
The Adalat will handle cases such as family disputes, divorce, property disagreements, and issues under the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007.
“If the parties are willing to settle their disputes, the Adalat offers an avenue to resolve these matters swiftly, avoiding years of litigation in court,” Rajeev said.
To ensure accessibility, complaint boxes will be placed in all nine grama panchayaths under the constituency, as well as in Manikkal grama panchayath from the neighboring Nedumangadu Assembly Constituency.
“Although Manikkal falls under a different constituency, it is part of the Vamanapuram block panchayath, and we wanted to include it in this initiative,” Rajeev clarified.
Residents can draft their complaints and drop them in the boxes. These will be reviewed, and notices will be issued to the concerned parties by the court. The Adalat will be held every third Saturday of the month initially, with plans to increase the frequency based on public response.
The Adalat will be presided over by judges appointed by the District and Sessions Judge on a rotational basis.
Its judgments will carry legal weight, ensuring enforceability. If a case being heard at the Adalat is also pending in a court, the Adalat’s judgment will bring that litigation to an end.
“The Adalat is not just a platform for dispute resolution; it also carries the authority to deliver enforceable judgments. This gives the parties confidence that their issues will be resolved conclusively,” Rajeev added.
Even before its official launch, the initiative has received an encouraging response, with 36 complaints registered last week alone. This overwhelming participation, the officials said, underscores the public’s trust in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
“We are hopeful that this initiative will be a success,” Rajeev said. “By reducing the backlog of cases in courts and ensuring timely justice, the Adalat has the potential to become a model for other constituencies in Kerala.”
The Adalat will employ a unique blend of mediation, arbitration, and conciliation, ensuring a fair and amicable resolution to disputes. This approach not only saves time but also fosters harmony between parties by encouraging mutual agreements.
“This initiative underscores the judiciary’s commitment to exploring innovative ways to deliver justice,” said a legal expert associated with the programme to South First. “It’s a win-win for everyone involved—cases are resolved quickly, relationships are mended, and the burden on courts is reduced.”
The legal expert further said, “The purpose of the Adalat is to simplify legal procedures and make justice accessible to everyone, especially the poor. By avoiding strict rules of evidence and procedure, it allows people with no legal knowledge to present their case directly to the judge in a simple, straightforward manner. This eliminates the need for expensive lawyers and ensures speedy resolution of disputes. Moreover, since the decisions of Adalat are final and cannot be appealed, it spares litigants from the endless cycle of prolonged legal battles, preventing their opponents from exploiting delays in the system.”
With its ambitious goal of becoming Kerala’s first ‘dispute-free constituency,’ Vamanapuram is set to script a new chapter in legal dispute resolution. If successful, the model could be replicated across the state, transforming how justice is delivered at the grassroots level.
(Edited by Ananya Rao)
