Bhatkal: A total of 1,464 cases were resolved through compromise during the National Lok Adalat held on Saturday at the Bhatkal Court Complex, resulting in the recovery of ₹7,11,17,729 in the form of fines and compensation.

According to officials, 230 cases were settled in the Senior Civil and JMFC Court, 550 in the Principal Civil and JMFC Court, and 594 in the Additional Civil and JMFC Court. In the Senior Civil Court alone, ₹1,04,16,148 was recovered from cheque bounce cases, bringing the total recovery in this court to ₹68,12,584. In one significant accident case, a couple who had lost their son received ₹11.50 lakh as compensation. The Principal Civil Court accounted for the highest recoveries, with ₹2,53,89,260 from execution cases, ₹78,59,098 from cheque cases, and ₹1,32,000 from other cases. The Additional Civil Court settled claims worth ₹1,31,56,791 from execution cases, ₹42,77,598 from cheque cases, and ₹1,81,050 from other cases.

One accident claim, in particular, had earlier seen the court issue an award of ₹18 lakh, with enforcement proceedings initiated to recover ₹24 lakh. The matter was ultimately settled in the Lok Adalat, bringing relief to both the victims and the accused and putting an end to prolonged litigation.

The Lok Adalat proceedings were presided over by Senior Civil Judge Kantha Kurani, Principal Civil Judge Deepa Aralagundi, and Additional Civil Judge Dhanavathi. Conciliators Manjunath Chandrakant Bhat, Ravichandra Naik, and Sahana Moger also assisted in the settlement process. Bhatkal Bar Association President Eshwar Naik, public prosecutors, and several senior and junior advocates, including M.J. Naik, Pandurang Naik, Chandru Naik, Gurudas Moger, Manjunath Bhat, Nagaratna T. Naik, Sahana, and Sabina, were present during the proceedings.