ANANTNAG: The Principal District & Sessions Judge (Chairman DLSA) Anantang today kick started the Pre- Lok Adalat Sessions for the upcoming National Lok Adalat, scheduled to be held on 9th of December 2023 across India.

The Pre-Lok Adalat Sessions began with a special awareness cum counseling session regarding matrimonial disputes wherein thrust has been given upon Maintenance restitution of conjugal rights, domestic violence, custody and guardianship of children and cases which come before One Stop Centre and Special Cell for Women Anantnag.

The Department of Health and Medical Education provided the services of the Counselor and a Physiatrist for day long counseling sessions, while the Social Welfare Department made services of Anganwadi workers available for the whole day.

Principal District & Sessions Judge emphasized the need of ADR Mechanism for resolving the family disputes. He said that it has always been the endeavour of the judiciary to see that matrimonial disputes come to a logical end and families are reunited rather than separated and today's programme is a stepping stone for such an endeavour.

Amongst the Resource Persons were Dr. Pinky, Medical officer at PSC Mattan working as Psychiatrist, Saima lbrahim, working as Counselor and Adv. Farheen from One Stop Centre. Also two religious scholars namely Mohammad Maqbool Akhrini and Arif Ahmad Bhat spoke regarding the rights of spouses.

The programme witnessed the participation of all the stakeholders, including officers from Tehsil Legal Services Committees, Legal Aid Defense Counsel's Anantnag, Panel Lawyers, Executive members of Bar Association Anantnag, Trained Mediators and Government Officials.

Among others, all Judicial Magistrates posted at District Headquarter Anantnag along with Secretary DLSA Anantnag, District Social Welfare Officer Anantnag and Chief Executive Officer Municipal Council Anantnag attended the inaugural session.

A total of 74 cases were taken up in the second session out of which 36 cases were settled.