The Delhi High Court has released extensive guidelines to facilitate prompt and amicable remedies to long-pending issues involving the Delhi Development Authority (DDA). The action is intended to expedite these proceedings. Leading the Bench on issues including property mutation, demarcation, leasehold to freehold conversion, flat allocation, and unpermitted constructions was Justice Dharmesh Sharma.
Key Directions Issued
The Court ordered that every lawyer on DDA’s panel in the Delhi High Court must identify at least 10 cases to be reviewed, particularly narrowing down the issues to the aforementioned categories. This initiative is aimed at reducing the backlog of cases involving the DDA, a frequent litigant in property-related disputes.
Additionally, the Bench directed the DDA Vice Chairman to form a review committee tasked with scrutinizing these matters for potential resolution through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms like Lok Adalats and the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre.
As per the Court: “As a punishment in these contempt proceedings, the contemnor is directed to constitute a Review Committee by September 4, 2024. The Committee shall invite inputs from Panel Lawyers by September 7, 2024, and shall hold daily meetings for at least one hour from September 9, 2024.”
This review committee is required to submit its final proposal for amicable resolution, on a case-by-case basis, to the Secretary, Delhi High Court Legal Services Committee, by September 12, 2024. Once submitted, these cases could then be addressed at the upcoming Lok Adalat on September 14, 2024.
Regular Meetings for Efficient Resolution The Court underscored the importance of regular committee meetings, stating:
“The Review Committee meetings be held on a regular basis every week, after 14th September, 2024.”
In instances where referral to a Lok Adalat is not feasible, or if ongoing negotiations result in delays, the Court clarified that such matters could be referred to the judge-in-charge of the Delhi High Court Mediation and Conciliation Centre. Furthermore, a monthly balance sheet is to be prepared to evaluate the success of the referrals and settlements:
“A balance sheet shall be compiled at the end of each successive month to analyze the referrals and settlements reached between parties.”
Background
These directions were issued in response to a contempt of court petition filed by Bimla Sachdev against the DDA. Although the Court discharged DDA officials of contempt, it noted the delays in resolving these disputes and highlighted that the DDA has become one of the largest litigants in the country, with numerous avoidable matters filed before the Court.
Conclusion
The Delhi High Court’s focus on resolving DDA disputes through mediation and Lok Adalats marks a significant step toward reducing the case backlog and ensuring that these disputes are settled amicably. The regular meetings and structured approach mandated by the Court provide a framework for improving the efficiency of dispute resolution, benefiting both the litigants and the judiciary.
TAGS: Delhi High Court DDA disputes mediation Lok Adalats review committee property mutation leasehold to freehold unauthorized constructions amicable resolution legal backlog contempt of court dispute settlement legal services litigation alternative dispute resolution.
