'Alternative methods can reduce court's burden'

GUNTUR: Stating that alternative methods in resolving conflicts between individuals will help restore peace in the society, Chief Justice of AP HC, Justice Madan B Lokur, said that growing selfishness and greediness is the root cause for more and more people knocking the courts' doors.
Speaking at a meeting here on Saturday, the CJ said that pending cases in higher courts were increasing daily and were causing enormous stress on the judicial system. He said that the officials at the field level should encourage people to resolve their differences, cases and conflicts through alternative channels such as lok adalats, mediation and pre-bargaining methods.
"Officials at the district and even lower levels should try to help the petitioners in getting the solution as early as possible and courts should be viewed as the last resort. In fact, it will not only help the concerned individuals but also the administration as it would become easy to manage the law and order situation," observed Justice Lokur.
He said that more than 30,000 cases were resolved through pre-bargaining mode in the Delhi HC paving way for early clearance of cases. The CJ said he learnt that more than 1,000 cases in the state were settled through the lok adalat in the last 10 months. "It is heartening to note that district judicial officers are taking the initiative in getting the petty cases settled through lok adalats and thus help them concentrate on the important cases," said Justice Lokur.