Permanent Lok Adalat Must Follow Natural Justice Even in Summary Proceedings: Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court set aside an order of the Permanent Lok Adalat (PLA), ruling that PLAs must adhere to the principles of natural justice under Section 22-D of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, even in summary proceedings.

A bench allowed a plea by Bindu Narang, who was directed by the PLA to pay ₹23,981 to Matrix Cellular Services.

The Court found that the PLA wrongly denied Narang’s request to cross-examine the respondent’s witness without providing reasons, despite disputes over facts and document discrepancies.

The bench firmly declared that summary proceedings cannot justify ignoring essential fair play safeguards, and the PLA should have allowed cross-examination or directed parties to regular remedies when facts were contested.