Key Points: - The Permanent Lok Adalat has jurisdiction to settle civil disputes even if the offense is not compoundable. (!) (!) - Proviso (2) of Section 22C fixes the pecuniary limit of the Lok Adalat at Rs. 10,00,000, within which claims can be entertained or reduced/withdrawn. (!) (!) - The court held that claimants could withdraw or reduce their claim amount within the Lok Adalat’s pecuniary jurisdiction. (!) (!) - The writ petition was dismissed, affirming the Lok Adalat’s jurisdiction to entertain civil claims arising from the same incident despite non-compoundability of the related offense. (!) (!) - The Lok Adalat is authorized to decide maintainability and allow amendments or withdrawals within its jurisdictional limits, rather than rebuke the civil claims on the basis of non-compoundable offense. (!) (!)

What is the jurisdiction of the Permanent Lok Adalat under Section 22C of the Legal Services Authorities Act when the offense is not compoundable?

What is the effect of the pecuniary limit in Section 22C(2) on maintainability of claim petitions before the Permanent Lok Adalat?

What is the permissible scope for withdrawal or reduction of claims within the pecuniary jurisdiction of the Permanent Lok Adalat?