Mir Farhat
SRINAGAR, Oct 10: Legislative Council today passed a bill seeking setting up of Dehi Adalats (village courts) in the State to provide “justice at doorstep” in rural areas.
Minister for Law Mir Saifullah introduced the Bill in the Council today after the conclusion of Question Hour.
Initially, there was some discussion on the Bill as some members raised questions “to clear the confusion” from the Minister.
PDP member Syed Ahmad Rizvi, for the sake of showing opposition, shouted against setting up of Dehi Adalats and said it will have financial implications on the State.
“Instead, the existing legal system in vogue in the State be extended across the State to provide justice at the doorsteps in rural and remote areas if the Government is really serious to relieve common people by providing legal aid to litigants,” Rizvi said.
Later, after the House was adjourned for the day, Rizvi told Excelsior he liked the “spirit of the Bill”, but stuck to his statement which he made during discussion on the Bill.
Saifullah, while enumerating the benefits of the Bill, said Dehi Adalats will be set up in every Panchayati Block across the 22 districts and these Adalats will follow the same legal procedure as that of criminal and civil courts, with the jurisdiction as per Ranbir Panel Code (RPC).
“The Government will set up 20 Dehi Adalats in the first phase in remote areas to provide justice at the doorstep. Free justice will be delivered to people as the Bill has provision for legal aid for the litigants. And pendency of cases in the courts will be reduced,” the Law minister said.
The cases pending in district courts will be divided to be proceeded in Dehi Adalats in those Blocks, he said, adding delay in passing the Bill at this stage could cost rural and poor people.
Seemingly, convinced by the Law Minister after the discussion, the Members agreed by a voice vote to pass the Bill.
The Bill will now be sent to Governor N N Vohra for his assent.
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