Subordinate Courts — Important Questions

People's Court

Lok Adalat literally means 'People's Court' where 'Lok' means people and 'Adalat' means court. It represents a forum that belongs to and serves the people directly. Fast Court (option A) refers to speed but not the literal meaning. Village Court (option C) is incorrect as Lok Adalats operate at various levels, not just villages. Free Court (option D) relates to cost but not the literal translation of the term.

Sessions Judge

Only the Sessions Judge can award capital punishment (death sentence) in the district court system, subject to approval by the High Court. First Class Judicial Magistrate (option A) can award maximum 3 years imprisonment. Chief Judicial Magistrate (option B) can award maximum 7 years imprisonment but cannot award death sentence. District Collector (option D) is an administrative officer who heads revenue courts, not criminal courts, and cannot award capital punishment.

Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987

The Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 formally established Lok Adalats as legal forums based on recommendations by Justice P.N. Bhagwati. This act gave legal backing to the concept and made Lok Adalat decisions binding like civil court decrees. Option A (1985) has wrong year. Option C (Lok Adalat Act, 1982) is incorrect as no such specific act exists. Option D (Judicial Services Act, 1987) is not the correct act name for this purpose.

₹10,000

A First Class Judicial Magistrate can impose a fine up to ₹10,000 or award imprisonment up to 3 years or both. This is higher than Second Class Judicial Magistrates who can impose only ₹5,000 fine (option A). Options C (₹15,000) and D (₹20,000) exceed the actual limit. The monetary limits reflect the hierarchy of courts, with higher courts having greater powers to impose penalties.