Agartala, July 15 — As part of a nationwide initiative to reduce court case backlogs, the Tripura State Legal Services Authority has referred over 1,000 cases to nine mediation centres across the state, according to Member Secretary Jhuma Datta Choudhury.
The mediation referrals are part of a special 90-day mediation drive that began on July 1, 2025, under the joint efforts of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and the Mediation and Conciliation Project Committee of the Supreme Court of India.
“We have urged courts to refer cases suitable for mediation to the nine designated centres in Tripura. As of July 15, over 1,000 cases have already been referred,” Choudhury told media persons.
The cases being taken up for mediation include matrimonial disputes, Motor Vehicle Compensation claims, consumer complaints, business conflicts, eviction notices, inheritance matters, and debt recovery cases.
Explaining the process, Choudhury noted that mediation is distinct from traditional court proceedings. “Trained mediators help both parties negotiate and arrive at a mutually agreeable solution. Mediators do not issue binding orders; the settlement is purely based on consensus,” she said.
Highlighting an inclusive approach, she added that Tripura is breaking new ground in mediator training. While traditionally only judges and advocates were trained as mediators, Tripura has recently expanded the pool to include individuals from diverse backgrounds — including religious leaders, tribal chieftains, and professionals from various fields.
“A special 40-hour training programme was conducted in April, and 75 new mediators were trained, adding to the state’s total of over 200 certified mediators,” Choudhury said.
The state’s active participation in the national mediation drive reflects its commitment to reducing judicial pendency and promoting accessible, community-based dispute resolution mechanisms.
