The 48th International Kolkata Book Fair, set to open on January 28 at Central Park near Karunamoyee Bus Stand in Salt Lake, will offer a unique experience for book lovers this year. Among the diverse collection of books from both local and international authors, visitors will also find a special stall dedicated to the Calcutta High Court’s Mediation and Consolidation Committee.
Located at stall number 321, near Gate No. 5, the Mediation Committee’s booth aims to shed light on its significant role in alleviating the burden of court cases, as per Supreme Court directives. The committee’s efforts in mediation have been instrumental in offering alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods, with the goal of settling cases efficiently and amicably.
Under the guidance of Calcutta High Court Chief Justice TS Shivagnanam, the Mediation Committee, led by Justice Soumen Sen and managed by Member Secretary Sanjeev Sharma, operates across the state throughout the year. Dr. Subhasish Muhuri, Deputy Registrar (Legal) of the original side of the Calcutta High Court and the officer-in-charge of the Mediation Committee, shared that this initiative was launched in 2009 and has since made notable strides in promoting mediation.
“At last year’s training session, we completed the mediation training of 125 individuals with diverse backgrounds, including retired judges, former IPS officers, lawyers, architects, and journalists,” Dr. Muhuri noted. He added that the Mediation Committee now operates across 72 ADR centers statewide, providing an accessible platform for resolving disputes with confidentiality and impartiality.
Visitors to the book fair will have the opportunity to engage with members of the Mediation Committee, who will provide detailed insights into how mediation works, along with distributing relevant literature on the subject.
This initiative aligns with the committee’s ongoing efforts to educate the public on the benefits of mediation as a viable, effective alternative to prolonged legal battles.
-Parijat Mollah, Hello Kolkata