JUDGMENT :

1. The present writ petitions have been filed primarily challenging the orders dated 26th March, 2021 passed by the Permanent Lok Adalat, Bokaro in P.L.A. Case nos.124, 127, 126 & 125/2020, respectively, whereby objection(s) raised by the petitioner(s) with regard to its jurisdiction to entertain the application filed by the respondent no.1 has been rejected.

2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the Permanent Lok Adalat, Bokaro while passing the impugned orders dated 26th March, 2021 has observed that the instant cases were filed and registered as pre litigation cases for the sole purpose of mediation/conciliation and not for adjudication so as to look into the aspect of jurisdiction. The Permanent Lok Adalat in making such observation has committed an error since as per sub-section (8) of Section 22-C of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987, if the parties fail to reach at an agreement during conciliation process under sub-section (7) of Section 22-C, the Permanent Lok Adalat has to decide the dispute, if the same does not relate to any offence.

3. It is further submitted that, in fact, there is no privity of contract between the petitioner, (said to be a