New Mediation Centre of Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission inaugurated in Mysuru
Karnataka High Court Judge S.G. Pandit inaugurated the new Mediation Centre building on the Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission premises in the city on
Karnataka High Court Judge S.G. Pandit inaugurated the new Mediation Centre building on the Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission premises in the city on Saturday. Though the Commission already had a Mediation Centre on its premises, it did not have an exclusive building of its own. Speaking at the inauguration, at a function jointly organised by the Mysuru District administration, the Mysuru District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, and the Mysuru District Advocates’ Association, Justice S.G. Pandit, who is also the administrative judge, said that conciliation or mediation is not new to the country.
The practice of mediation has been part of Indian culture since the period of Mahabharatha, he said, citing Krishna Sandhana. Pointing out that courts were under enormous pressure nowadays, he said these conciliation and mediation centres would become an important avenue for speedy justice by ensuring expeditious disposal of cases. Pandit said that litigants are generally in a position to follow whatever their advocates advise them in the initial stages and regard their advocates as “god-like” figures.
In matters relating to consumer disputes, advocates should understand the mindset of their clients and, as a priority, advise them to settle their disputes through mediation or conciliation, he said. If advocates explain how quickly cases can be resolved through conciliation and the benefits that accrue from such settlements, litigants would certainly agree, making the resolution of disputes easier, he added. The judge also said that Mysuru now has a well-equipped new mediation centre and appealed to the public and advocates to make good use of the facility.
Among those present were the president of the Karnataka State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Justice T.G. Shivashankaregowda, and Principal District and Sessions Judge Usharani.
The BriefWire