Court Orders Bihar State to Align with NALSA Guidelines for Settlement of Traffic Violations
In a significant development, the Patna High Court has directed the State of Bihar to consider the inclusion of pending compoundable traffic challan cases in the upcoming National Lok Adalat, scheduled for March 14, 2026. This directive came following a public interest litigation filed by Rani @ Rani Tiwari, seeking a writ mandating the inclusion of such cases in Lok Adalats, in line with practices followed in other states.
The division bench, comprising Chief Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice Alok Kumar Sinha, heard the matter. The petitioner argued that other states have successfully incorporated traffic challan matters into their National Lok Adalats as per instructions from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA). The petitioner’s counsel, Mr. Vikash Kumar Pankaj, highlighted the Manual for District Legal Services Authorities 2023, which suggests that petty matters, including traffic challans, be disposed of in Special Lok Adalats.
The court acknowledged the petitioner’s concerns, emphasizing the importance of uniformity in legal practices across states. It directed the State’s counsel, represented by Mr. P.K. Verma, AAG-3, and Mr. Sanjay Kumar Ghosarvey, AC to AAG-3, to secure instructions on resolving this issue and conforming to NALSA's guidance.
This decision underscores the High Court's commitment to ensuring speedy and efficient settlement of minor legal issues, thereby reducing the burden on conventional courts. The matter is set to be revisited on March 11, 2026, to assess the State’s compliance with the court’s directive.
Bottom Line:
Traffic challan matters should be included in National Lok Adalat and Permanent Lok Adalat for settlement, as per the instructions issued by National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Manual for District Legal Services Authorities 2023.
Statutory provision(s): Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987
Rani @ Rani Tiwari v. State of Bihar, (Patna)(DB) : Law Finder Doc id # 2865156
