“Lok Adalat” is a Hindi word that literally translates to “People’s Court” in English. The cases that can be settled outside the traditional courts are often heard at the Lok Adalat. These cases mostly include family disputes, loan disputes, traffic challans, etc. The cases in the pre-litigation stage are often heard in the Lok Adalat. Also, any settlement done in this court is legally binding to the regular courts in India as well. A party can handle their case itself and speak with the judges directly to negotiate the fines or request a waiver. As the Lok Adalat does not charge any court fees, the process often helps people to reduce their fines considerably without paying anything extra.
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What is Lok Adalat for traffic challans?
Lok Adalat allows you to settle multiple traffic challans at once. You also get discounts for paying against multiple challans. Traffic offences of a trivial nature might also get a waiver in the Lok Adalat. Therefore, individuals who have multiple e-challans filed against their vehicle often request their case to be transferred from the regular court to the Lok Adalat or People’s Court.
Common Traffic Challan Offences Considered in Lok Adalat
Only trivial kinds of traffic violations are settled in the Lok Adalat. These cases include driving without a licence, riding without a helmet, jumping signals, driving without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate, overspeeding, parking in no-parking zones, driving with a damaged or unclear number plate, speaking on a phone while driving, etc., and fall into this category. Most of the challans generated via the CCTV camera installed by the traffic police are also heard in the Lok Adalat.
Punishable offences such as drinking and driving, racing or performing stunts on the roads, hit and run, and reckless driving amounting to death, etc., are not heard in Lok Adalat.
How to Check Lok Adalat Challan Status in Haryana?
Follow these steps to check the pending Lok Adalat challan status in Haryana:
- Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan e-Challan.
- Step 2: Enter the challan number and submit the captcha code provided below.
- Step 3: Click/tap on the ‘view details’ option to check the pending and settled challans that were issued against your vehicle.
Only the pending challans that have not been settled for a long time are eligible to be moved to the Lok Adalat. You can also use the ‘Virtual Courts’ website to settle the challan online. Usually, this is the first step you must follow before moving your case to the Lok Adalat.
Documents Required for Lok Adalat Challan Settlement
Do not forget to take the copy showing the appointment of the Lok Adalat hearing with you. Also, carry the challan slip, your driving licence, Registration Certificate (RC), insurance copy, and PUC certificate along with your Aadhaar card or any other proof of identity while visiting the Lok Adalat.
How to Pay a Challan in Lok Adalat in Haryana?
- Step 1: Visit the official website of Parivahan Sewa and check the challan status page. The challans will be either sent to the court or be eligible for Lok Adalat settlement.
- Step 2: Download the Lok Adalat’s official settlement notice to know about the hearing date. Print a copy of the same and visit the court hearing in person to settle the pending challans.
- Step 3: Alternatively, you can also visit the Virtual Court and log in with your credentials. Here, you shall be able to attend a conciliation session online and pay the agreed challan amount online.
- Step 4: Do not forget to collect the payment receipt after settling the pending challan through an offline or online process.
Note: You can visit the Digital Lok Adalat portal to reprint the challan receipt or Lok Adalat notice.
Lok Adalat Dates for Challan Settlement in Haryana
The State Legal Services Authority decides the Lok Adalat dates for different states. These days vary for each state. For Haryana, the Lok Adalat shall be held on March 22, May 9, September 12, and December 12 in 2026. These sessions are held in subdivisions or district courts. Therefore, you should visit the applicable court and carry all the required documents with you to claim a discount or waiver on the pending challan.
What Happens if You Don’t Settle Challans in Lok Adalat?
- The unsettled cases are reverted back to regular courts, which require legal fees. An additional penalty or late fee charges might also be imposed for delaying the challan proceedings.
- Failing to settle the pending challans on multiple occasions can result in the licence or RC suspension.
- Getting a vehicle insurance policy, renewing the existing policy, or selling the vehicle becomes difficult for vehicles with unsettled challans.
- The traffic violation remains intact in the database of the state traffic police. This might create problems while completing the registration formalities for a new vehicle.
Summary
Lok Adalat provides you with an easy and cheaper way to settle the pending challans imposed on your licence or vehicle. Therefore, you must attend the Lok Adalat sessions and follow the due procedures to settle the challans. Check the official website of eParivahan or Haryana Traffic Police to get details on the upcoming Lok Adalat sessions.
FAQs
Q. Is there a court fee involved with Lok Adalat in Haryana?
You don’t have to pay any court fee to settle a case or a pending challan in Lok Adalat.
Q. What happens in a Lok Adalat?
The pre-litigation cases and trivial traffic challans are settled in a Lok Adalat. It is a fast conciliation that doesn’t require any court fees or a lawyer.
Q. How does one attend a Lok Adalat virtually in Haryana?
Visit the virtual courts website to attend a Lok Adalat virtually in Haryana.
Q. Do I need to appoint a lawyer to settle my challan in Lok Adalat?
No, you can present your case by yourself in the Lok Adalat.
Q. Can a challan issued for reckless driving be settled in Lok Adalat?
If the reckless driving has not resulted in any injury, death, or severe criminal case, it could be settled in the Lok Adalat.
