In a heartwarming turn of events during the National Lok Adalat held on Saturday, six estranged couples were reunited in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts, offering a significant resolution to their long-standing disputes.
In Udupi, a particularly emotional reunion occurred at the Family Court, where a couple separated for six years exchanged garlands and shared sweets, symbolizing their remarriage. This mediation was facilitated by a Bench led by Udupi Principal District and Sessions Judge Kiran Siddappa Gangannavar, Additional District and Sessions Judge Srinivasa Suvarna, and P.R. Yogesh, member-secretary of the Udupi District Legal Services Authority.
Among the 30,302 cases resolved in Udupi district, totaling Rs. 19.5 crore in settlements, was the divorce case of Gopal Shetty and Ashalata Shetty. Separated shortly after their marriage in 2011, they reconciled after 13 years during the Lok Adalat proceedings. Another notable reconciliation occurred between Raghavendra Acharya and Malati, who had been separated for six years. Their case, initially filed in Shivamogga, was transferred to Udupi after a High Court directive. Similarly, Karnananda and Keertakumari, who parted ways in 2021, decided to reunite during the Adalat.
In Dakshina Kannada, three couples also chose reconciliation, adding to the 41,059 cases resolved across 37 Benches in the district. Of these, 37,549 were pre-litigation financial disputes, with settlements amounting to Rs. 4.5 crore. The successful mediation efforts highlight the power of Lok Adalats in resolving both financial and deeply personal conflicts, offering these reunited couples a fresh start.
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