Suits cognisable by Panchayati Adalat

Suits cognisable by Panchayati Adalat.--

1. (1) The following shall be cognizable by a Panchayati Adalat, namely:
   • (i) suits for ascertained sums not exceeding two hundred rupees;
   • (ii) suits for damages not exceeding two hundred rupees for breach of contract not affecting immovable property;
   • (iii) suits for compensation for wrongly taking or injuring movable property not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees;
   • (iv) suits for specific movable property or for the value thereof not exceeding two hundred and fifty rupees: Provided that no Panchayati Adalat shall take cognizance of any suit--
   • (a) by or against a minor or a person of unsound mind;
   • (b) by or against the Chairman or any member of the same Panchayati Adalat or the Sarpanch or any Panch of the Panchayat Circle lying within the same Panchayati Adalat Circle;
   • (c) in respect of any dispute or matter in which a suit or application may be brought or made before a Revenue Officer;
   • (d) in respect of any matter directly and substantially in issue in a previously instituted suit between the same parties or those under whom they claim, which is pending in or has been heard and finally decided by a Court of competent jurisdiction or by a panchayati Adalst; and
   • (e) by or against the Government or a Co-operative Society or any employee of the local authority or an officer or servant of the Government or a member, officer or servant of a local authority in his official capacity.
2. (2) The Government may, by notification in the Government Gazette, confer on any Panchayati Adalat the jurisdiction to hear and dispose of suits of the nature specified in sub-section
3. (1) of which the amount or value does not exceed five hundred rupees.