The Hindu : New Delhi News : DCW holds Lok Adalat

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Sunday, May 15, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

DCW holds Lok Adalat

Mandira Nayar

NEW DELHI: In an attempt to find early solutions to "minor" marital disputes, the Delhi Commission for Women (DCW) along with the Delhi Legal Services Authority held a Lok Adalat here in the Capital on Saturday.

Speaking after inaugurating the function, the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court, Justice B.C. Patel, said it was unfortunate that most FIRs in matrimonial disputes were against the mother-in-law or the father-in-law. "In such sensitive situations, we should avoid parental intervention and rather let the couple spend some time exclusively with each other."

It was important for the partners to think about their children and others affected by their decision, before taking a decision, he said. "Marriage is a religious tie and not a business contract that could be called off just by a signature over petty disputes,'' he added.

Stating that the response to the first Lok Adalat held in March 2002 had been tremendous, the Chairperson of the DCW, Kiran Walia, said: "Women are much more aware of their rights and also of the various recourses they have today. The Commission helps them through counselling and tries to reach an amicable settlement.

At times it is just a communication gap that has been blown out of proportion and has brought them to the brink of separation. In such cases, we try to bridge that gap and help them sort out their problems. As for cases that cannot be mutually resolved, divorce remains the only way out."

If both the aggrieved parties come to an agreement to get a divorce, Lok Adalats help expedite the whole procedure by announcing the verdict on the spot, thereby saving them a lot of time, money and unnecessary harassment, she added.

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