IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH (102)

CWP-20865-2022 PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited ...Petitioner Versus Naresh Devi and another ...Respondents CWP-20884-2022 PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited ...Petitioner Versus Naresh Devi and another ...Respondents CWP-20887-2022 PNB MetLife India Insurance Company Limited ...Petitioner Versus Sunita and another ...Respondents Date of decision:- 28.01.2026 CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL Present:- Mr. Nitin Thatai, Advocate (through VC) with Ms. Shruti Sharma, Advocate, for the petitioner (in all cases).

Mr. Sansar Kundu, Advocate, for respondent No.1 (in all cases).

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SUVIR SEHGAL, J. (Oral)

1. A common thread runs through the above mentioned three writ petitions, which are being disposed of by a singular order without examining matters on merit.

2. The primary question, which arises for determination in these petitions, is as to whether a Permanent Lok Adalat, Public Utility Services (for short “Lok Adalat”) established under Section 22-B of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (hereinafter referred to as “1987 Act”) can adjudicate a dispute on merits without formulating the possible terms of set