Lucknow: The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court has ruled that Lok Adalats and district legal services authorities do not have the jurisdiction to grant divorce decrees, stating that such powers lie exclusively with family courts.

In an order dated April 30, the court observed that while Lok Adalats play an important role in facilitating settlements between parties, they are not empowered to adjudicate disputes or issue judicial decisions.

A division bench comprising Justice Shekhar B Saraf and Justice A K Chaudhary passed the ruling while hearing a petition filed by a woman challenging an order issued by the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA) in Unnao in 2018.

The petitioner argued that her husband had treated a settlement recorded by the DLSA as a valid decree of divorce and used it as the basis for remarriage.

The court, however, noted that under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, and the National Legal Services Authority (Lok Adalat) Regulations, 2009, matrimonial disputes involving divorce cannot be referred to Lok Adalats for adjudication.

It emphasised that Lok Adalats are limited to promoting amicable settlements and cannot assume judicial functions reserved for courts.

Expressing concern over the proceedings conducted by the DLSA in Unnao, the bench said any such order granting divorce exceeded its jurisdiction and was legally unsustainable.

The court further held that any clause in the settlement suggesting that both parties were free to remarry had no legal validity.

It clarified that no valid decree of divorce had ever been passed by a competent court in the case, and therefore the husband’s reliance on the settlement could not be recognised in law.

While disposing of the petition, the High Court allowed the petitioner to pursue appropriate legal remedies and directed that the judgment be circulated to all Lok Adalats and district legal services authorities in the state for compliance.

The court reiterated that although Lok Adalats are vital for ensuring speedy and accessible justice, they must function strictly within their statutory limits without encroaching on the jurisdiction of regular courts.