Jharkhand is all set to hold its first ever online lok adalat on Saturday wherein cases related to insurance claims and redressals, together estimated at Rs 50 crore, will be heard and resolved.

Jharkhand Legal Services Authority (JHALSA) executive chairman and high court judge H. C. Mishra said, “There are about 9,000 cases in the pre-litigation stage and 500 ongoing cases pending in various courts. The lok adalat will aim to settle these disputes through virtual mode this time.”

He said the lok adalat would be inaugurated by National Legal Services Authority (NLSA) executive chairman M.V. Ramana and Aniruddha Bose, both judges of the Supreme Court.

The district legal services authority (DLSA) will form virtual benches and ensure the smooth conduct of the lok adalat. Mishra said the concerned people had been contacted and informed about Saturday’s lok adalat.

The pandemic has already pushed courts to function through virtual mode like many other institutions. Officials said JHALSA’s future public initiatives would also be conducted using online modes to continue to help those in need. “This lok adalat to solve insurance disputes is the first such initiative towards our endeavour,” said the judge.

Even during the lockdown JHALSA and DLSA worked overtime to help people in distress by organising various activities such as food and mask distribution, and creating awareness on Covid precautions with the help of para-legal volunteers.

In May, JHALSA launched a scheme titled, Shramev Vadante, to help migrant workers through its district affiliates (DLSA) by educating them about legal rights and government schemes meant for them.