2012 AIR CC 2988 (ALL) ::2012 (5) All LJ 669 ::2012 (5) ALJ 669 ::(2012) 7 ADJ 681 (ALL) ::AIR 2013 (NOC) (SUPP) 1203 (ALL.) ::(2012) 93 All LR 48 ::(2012) 5 All WC 5227

Allahabad High Court

Hon'ble Judge(s): Sudhir Agarwal , J

(A) Legal Services Authorities Act (39 of 1987) S. 22 B— Jurisdiction of Permanent Lok Adalat to adjudicate dispute on merits — Challenged on ground that Permanent Lok Adalat can only consider whether dispute can be settled by conciliation or not, it cannot adjudicate dispute on merits — After amendment made in Act in year 2002, Permanent Lok Adalat has power in relation to adjudication also — Permanent Lok Adalat can exercise such jurisdiction in respect of one or more public utility services — Permanent Lok Adalat granted damages on account of failure on part of Public Utility Service to serve individual concerned in rendering particular service — Thus, Permanent Lok Adalat is not bereft of jurisdiction to adjudicate dispute on merits when it relates to public utility service, and damages granted by it, proper AIR 2004 SC 4105, AIR 2009 SC 1209, AIR 2005 All 349, Distinguished 2011 AIR SCW 6308, AIR 2008 SC 2398, Relied on (Para 3,6,8,9) .....