Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881–Sec. 138–Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987–Sec. 21–Complainant for the offense of dishonor of cheque–Matter was referred to Lok Adalat–Award settled by Lok Adalat–Whether it could be considered as a decree of civil Court and executed?–Held, yes–There is no restriction on the power of Lok Adalat to pass an award based on compromise arrived at between the parties in a case referred by a criminal Court u/s. 138–Act of 1987 does not make any distinction between the reference made by a civil Court and criminal Court.
