The Supreme Court will hold Samadhan Samaroh 2026, a special Lok Adalat, over three days from August 21 to 23, to amicably settle pending cases, including those from Shivamogga, said Santhosh M.S., Member Secretary of the Shivamogga District Legal Services Authority, on May 11.

In a press conference in Shivamogga, Mr. Santhosh said that the Supreme Court had identified 47 cases from Shivamogga district — pending before the apex court — that are eligible for settlement through mediation. “We have issued notices to litigants, asking them to participate in the process of resolving their cases amicably in the presence of expert mediators and their advocates. If they reach a consensus, they must sign an agreement and submit a consent form, which will then be forwarded to the Supreme Court. The court will hold sittings from August 21 to 23 to dispose of these cases. Litigants can participate in the hearings through video conference from the district centre,” he said.

Only civil cases and compoundable criminal cases that can be resolved through negotiation are eligible. Non-compoundable criminal cases will not be included. “There may be a few more cases from Shivamogga pending in the Supreme Court. Litigants who wish to settle them amicably are encouraged to approach the District Legal Services Authority at the earliest so that such cases can be included in Samadhan Samaroh,” Mr. Santhosh said.

Highlighting the benefits of the programme, he noted that participation would involve no additional cost to litigants, who could also resolve their disputes without travelling to Delhi. “We seek the cooperation of litigants and their advocates for the successful execution of this programme,” he added.

Special Lok Adalat

In addition, Mr. Santhosh announced that a National Lok Adalat will be held on July 11, where all civil disputes and compoundable criminal cases can be settled through mediation. “The key benefit of a Lok Adalat is that once a case is settled, there is no provision for appeal. This helps litigants while also reducing the pendency of cases,” he said.

Besides this, a special Lok Adalat for cheque bounce cases will be held on July 18, and again on November 11.

He appealed to people to make full use of these opportunities.

The District Legal Services Authority will hold a legal awareness workshop for members of the Banjara community at the Banjara Community Hall in Shivamogga on May 30, he stated. Representatives of government establishments offering welfare schemes for the community will attend, and applications will be accepted from eligible candidates. The authority stated that it would conduct similar awareness programmes for other groups upon specific request, he added.