Cuttack: The Supreme Court’s nationwide dispute resolution initiative, Samadhan Samaroh 2026, has brought 1,719 cases from Odisha under its settlement drive, with the majority involving government departments.
Special Lok Adalat Details
The three-day Special Lok Adalat will be held on the apex court premises on August 21, 22, and 23, aiming at resolving long-pending disputes through mediation and conciliation.
Case Breakdown
Of the 1,719 cases identified from Odisha’s south zone, 1,556 cases involve the state government, while 163 cases concern private litigants, Odisha State Legal Services Authority (OSLSA) officials said on Saturday.
The exercise is part of the Supreme Court’s effort to encourage negotiated settlements in matters pending before it, including motor accident claims, family disputes, labour issues, property conflicts, and other civil and criminal cases.
Implementation and Coordination
“To facilitate the process, the member secretary, OSLSA has been designated as the nodal officer. Various state government departments have also appointed their own nodal officers to coordinate with litigants and ensure timely responses in settlement proceedings,” the OSLSA officials said.
Preparatory work has already begun across the state. District Legal Services Authorities have started issuing notices to parties whose cases have been shortlisted and are conducting pre-Lok Adalat sittings with the help of trained mediators in accordance with the Supreme Court’s standard operating procedure, the OSLSA officials added.
They further said litigants whose cases have not been identified under the current drive can register on the Supreme Court’s website and seek resolution through mediation during the special initiative.
Sensitisation Programme
In the meantime, the initiative was discussed at a sensitisation programme organised by OSLSA at the Odisha Judicial Academy in Cuttack on June 17.
Speaking at the event, Orissa High Court Chief Justice and OSLSA patron-in-chief, Harish Tandon, emphasised the growing importance of mediation and conciliation in reducing court pendency and promoting amicable settlements.
OSLSA executive chairperson Manas Ranjan Pathak highlighted the role of legal aid institutions in strengthening access to justice and fostering trust between citizens and the state. High Court Legal Services Committee chairman Krushna Ram Mohapatra urged government departments to adopt a pragmatic approach and avoid unnecessary litigation, an official OSLSA release said.
