Thane Mini Lok Adalat Settles 149 Claims, Awards Rs 17.8 Crore
A first-of-its-kind Mini Lok Adalat exclusively for motor accident compensation claims was held at the Thane District and Sessions Court on Saturday, July 25, 2026, resolving 149 claim petitions and awarding Rs 17,80,96,000 in compensation to accident victims and their legal heirs.
The special initiative was organised under the guidance of R.D. Sawant, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairman of the Thane District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The court event received approval from the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) in New Delhi and the Maharashtra State Legal Services Authority (MSLSA) in Mumbai. Two settlement panels were constituted to facilitate negotiations between claimants and insurance companies under the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).
Ravindra S. Pajankar, Secretary of the Thane DLSA, stated that the Mini Lok Adalat was scheduled to address the four-month gap between the National Lok Adalat held on May 9, 2026, and the upcoming one on September 12, 2026. The objective was to ensure that accident victims and their families received financial relief without unnecessary delay.
The highest single compensation awarded during the session was Rs 1.80 crore in Motor Accident Claim Petition No. 1742 of 2024. The settlement was granted to the family of Vijay Kumar Adidravidar, 36, who worked in the nursing department at Tata Memorial Centre in Mumbai. He lost his life in a road accident on the Mumbai-Goa Highway near Ambevadi Naka in Kolad, Roha, Raigad district, after a speeding trailer allegedly rammed into his motorcycle from behind. He is survived by his wife, son, parents, and brother.
The claim was pending before the court of R.V. Mohite, Member of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, and was settled under the guidance of District Judge-08 D.B. Mane. Following the settlement, The Oriental Insurance Company Limited handed over a cheque of Rs 1.80 crore to the legal heirs in the presence of Principal District and Sessions Judge R.D. Sawant. Advocate Arvind K. Tiwari represented the insurance company, while Advocate Sachin L. Mane appeared on behalf of the claimants.
Court officials noted that resolving a large number of pending claims through negotiated settlements significantly reduced the burden on courts. The Thane DLSA expressed hope that similar special Lok Adalats will be organised in the future to facilitate quicker disposal of motor accident compensation cases.
