3.3. Powers of Lok Adalats

♤ The Lok Adalat shall have the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, while trying a suit, in respect of the following matters:

o Power to summon and enforce the attendance of any witness and to examine him/her on oath.

o Power to enforce the discovery and production of any document.

o Power to receive evidence on affidavits,

o Power for requisitioning of any public record or document or copy thereof or from any court.

o Such other matters as may be prescribed.

♤ Every Lok Adalat shall have the power to specify its own procedure for the determination of any dispute coming before it.

♤ All proceedings before a Lok Adalat shall be deemed to be judicial proceedings within the meaning of Sections 193, 219 and 228 of IPC.

♤ Every Lok Adalat shall be deemed to be a Civil Court for the purpose of Sec 195 and Chapter XXVI of CrPC.