THE GRAM NYAYALAYAS ACT, 2008 
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ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS 
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CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

SECTIONS 

1.  Short title, extent and commencement. 
2.  Definitions. 

CHAPTER II 

GRAM NYAYALAYA 

3.  Establishment of Gram Nyayalayas. 
4.  Headquarters of Gram Nyayalayas. 
5.  Appointment of Nyayadhikari. 
6.  Qualifications for appointment of Nyayadhikari. 
7.  Salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Nyayadhikari. 
8.  Nyayadhikari not to preside over proceedings in which he is interested. 
9.  Nyayadhikari to hold mobile courts and conduct proceedings in villages. 
10.  Seal of Gram Nyayalaya. 

CHAPTER III 

JURISDICTION, POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF GRAM NYAYALAYA 

11.  Jurisdiction of Gram Nyayalaya. 
12.  Criminal jurisdiction. 
13.  Civil jurisdiction. 
14.  Power to amend Schedules. 
15.  Limitation. 
16.  Transfer of pending proceedings. 
17.  Duties of ministerial officers. 

CHAPTER IV 

PROCEDURE IN CRIMINAL CASES 

18.  Overriding effect of Act in criminal trial. 
19.  Gram Nyayalaya to follow summary trial procedure. 
20.  Plea bargaining before Gram Nyayalaya. 
21.  Conduct of cases in Gram Nyayalaya and legal aid to parties. 
22.  Pronouncement of judgment. 

CHAPTER V 

PROCEDURE IN CIVIL CASES 

23.  Overriding effect of Act in civil proceedings. 
24.  Special procedure in civil disputes. 

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SECTIONS 

25.  Execution of decrees and orders or Gram Nyayalaya. 
26.  Duty of Gram Nyayalaya to make efforts for conciliation and settlement of civil disputes. 
27.  Appointment of Conciliators. 
28.  Transfer of civil disputes. 

CHAPTER VI 

PROCEDURE GENERALLY 

29.  Proceedings to be in the official language of the State. 
30.  Application of Indian Evidence Act, 1872. 
31.  Record of oral evidence. 
32.  Evidence of formal character on affidavit. 

33.  Appeal in criminal cases. 
34.  Appeal in civil cases. 

CHAPTER VII 

APPEALS 

CHAPTER VIII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

35.  Assistance of police to Gram Nyayalayas. 
36.  Nyayadhikaris and employees, etc., to be public servants. 
37.  Inspection of Gram Nyayalayas. 
38.  Power to remove difficulties. 
39.  Power of High Court to make rules. 
40.  Power of State Government to make rules. 

THE FIRST SCHEDULE. 

THE SECOND SCHEDULE. 

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THE GRAM NYAYALAYAS ACT, 2008 

 ACT NO. 4 OF 2009 

An Act to provide for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas at the grass roots level for 
the  purposes  of  providing  access  to  justice  to  the  citizens  at  their  doorsteps  and  to 
ensure that opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of 
social, economic or other disabilities and for matters connected therewith or incidental 
thereto. 

BE it enacted by Parliament in the Fifty-ninth Year of the Republic of India as follows:— 

[7th January, 2009.] 

CHAPTER I 

PRELIMINARY 

1. Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) This Act may be called the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 

2008. 

 (2) It extends to the whole of India  1***, the State of Nagaland, the State of Arunachal Pradesh, the 

State of Sikkim and to the tribal areas. 

Explanation.—In this sub-section, the expression "tribal areas" means the areas specified in Parts I, 
II, IIA and III of the Table below paragraph 20 of the Sixth Schedule to the Constitution within the State 
of Assam, the State of Meghalaya, the State of Tripura and the State of Mizoram, respectively. 

(3) It shall come into force on such date2 as the Central Government may, by notification published in 

the Official Gazette, appoint; and different dates may be appointed for different States. 

2. Definitions.— In this Act, unless the context otherwise requires,— 

(a) "Gram Nyayalaya" means a court established under sub-section (1) of section 3;  

(b)  "Gram  Panchayat"  means  an  institution  (by  whatever  name  called)  of  self-government 

constituted, at the village level, under article 243B of the Constitution, for the rural areas; 

(c) "High Court" means,— 

(i) in relation to any State, the High Court for that State; 

(ii) in relation to a Union territory to which the jurisdiction of the High Court for a State has 

been extended by law, that High Court; 

(iii)  in  relation  to  any  other  Union  territory,  the  highest  Court  of  criminal  appeal  for  that 

territory other than the Supreme Court of India;  

(d)  "notification"  means  a  notification  published  in  the  Official  Gazette  and  the  expression 

"notified" shall be construed accordingly; 

(e) "Nyayadhikari" means the presiding officer of a Gram Nyayalaya appointed under section 5; 

(f)  "Panchayat  at  intermediate  level"  means  an  institution  (by  whatever  name  called)  of  self-
government constituted, at the intermediate level, under article 243B of the Constitution, for the rural 
areas in accordance with the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution; 

(g) "prescribed" means prescribed by rules made under this Act; 

(h) "Schedule" means the Schedule appended to this Act; 

1. The words “except the State of Jammu and Kashmir” omitted by Act 34 of 2019, s. 95 and the Fifth Schedule 
    (w.e.f. 31-10- 2019). 
2.  2nd  October,  2009,  vide  notification  No.  S.O.  2313(E),  dated  11th  November,  2009,  see  Gazette  of  India,       
Extraordinary, Part II, sec. 3(ii). 

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(i) "State Government", in relation to a Union territory, means the administrator thereof appointed 

under article 239 of the Constitution; 

(j) words and expressions used herein and not defined but defined in the Code of Civil Procedure, 
1908  (5  of  1908)  or  the  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure,  1973  (2  of  1974)  shall  have  the  meanings 
respectively assigned to them in those Codes. 

CHAPTER II 

GRAM NYAYALAYA 

3.  Establishment  of  Gram  Nyayalayas.—  (1)  For  the  purpose  of  exercising  the  jurisdiction  and 
powers  conferred  on  a  Gram  Nyayalaya  by  this  Act,  the  State  Government,  after  consultation  with  the 
High  Court,  may,  by  notification,  establish  one  or  more  Gram  Nyayalayas  for  every  Panchayat  at 
intermediate level or a group of contiguous Panchayats at intermediate level in a district or where there is 
no Panchayat at intermediate level in any State, for a group of contiguous Gram Panchayats. 

(2) The State Government shall, after consultation with the High Court, specify, by notification, the 
local limits of the area to which the jurisdiction of a Gram Nyayalaya shall extend and may, at any time, 
increase, reduce or alter such limits. 

 (3)  The  Gram  Nyayalayas  established  under  sub-section  (1)  shall  be  in  addition  to  the  courts 

established under any other law for the time being in force. 

4.  Headquarters  of  Gram  Nyayalaya.—  The  headquarters  of  every  Gram  Nyayalaya  shall  be 
located at the headquarters of the intermediate Panchayat in which the Gram Nyayalaya is established or 
such other place as may be notified by the State Government. 

5.  Appointment  of  Nyayadhikari.—  The  State  Government  shall,  in  consultation  with  the  High 

Court, appoint a Nyayadhikari for every Gram Nyayalaya. 

6.  Qualifications  for  appointment  of  Nyayadhikari.—  (1)  A  person  shall  not  be  qualified  to  be 
appointed as a Nyayadhikari unless he is eligible to be appointed as a Judicial Magistrate of the first class.  

(2) While appointing a Nyayadhikari, representation shall be given to the members of the Scheduled 
Castes,  the  Scheduled  Tribes,  women  and  such  other  classes  or  communities  as  may  be  specified  by 
notification, by the State Government from time to time. 

7. Salary, allowances and other terms and conditions of service of Nyayadhikari.— The salary 
and other allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, a Nyayadhikari shall be 
such as may be applicable to the Judicial Magistrate of the first class. 

8. Nyayadhikari not to preside over proceedings in which he is interested.— The Nyayadhikari 
shall not preside over the proceedings of a Gram Nyayalaya in which he has any interest or is otherwise 
involved in the subject matter of the dispute or is related to any party to such proceedings and in such a 
case, the Nyayadhikari shall refer the matter to the District Court or the Court of Session, as the case may 
be, for transferring it to any other Nyayadhikari. 

9.  Nyayadhikari  to  hold  mobile  courts  and  conduct  proceedings  in  villages.—  (1)  The 
Nyayadhikari  shall  periodically  visit  the  villages  falling  under  his  jurisdiction  and  conduct  trial  or 
proceedings at any place which he considers is in close proximity to the place where the parties ordinarily 
reside or where the whole or part of the cause of action had arisen: 

Provided  that  where  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  decides  to  hold  mobile  court  outside  its  headquarters,  it 

shall give wide publicity as to the date and place where it proposes to hold mobile court. 

(2) The State Government shall extend all facilities to the Gram Nyayalaya including the provision of 
vehicles for holding mobile court by the Nyayadhikari while conducting trial or proceedings outside its 
headquarters. 

10. Seal of Gram Nyayalaya.— Every Gram Nyayalaya established under this Act shall use a seal of 
the court in such form and dimensions as may be prescribed by the High Court with the approval of the 
State Government. 

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CHAPTER III 

JURISDICTION, POWERS AND AUTHORITY OF GRAM NYAYALAYA 

11.  Jurisdiction  of  Gram  Nyayalaya.—  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of 
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) or any other law 
for the time being in force, the Gram Nyayalaya shall exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction in the 
manner and to the extent provided under this Act. 

12.  Criminal  jurisdiction.—    (1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of  Criminal 
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or any other law for the time being in force, the Gram Nyayalaya may take 
cognizance of an offence on a complaint or on a police report and shall— 

(a) try all offences specified in Part I of the First Schedule; and 

(b) try all offences and grant relief, if any, specified under the enactments included in Part II of 

that Schedule. 

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of sub-section (1), the Gram Nyayalaya shall also try all such 
offences or grant such relief under the State Acts which may be notified by the State Government under 
sub-section (3) of section 14. 

13.  Civil  jurisdiction.—  (1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure, 
1908 (5 of 1908) or any other law for the time being in force, and subject to sub-section (2), the Gram 
Nyayalaya shall have jurisdiction to— 

(a) try all suits or proceedings of a civil nature falling under  the classes of disputes specified in 

Part I of the Second Schedule; 

(b) try all classes of claims and disputes which may be notified by the Central Government under 

sub-section (1) of section 14 and by the State Government under sub-section (3) of the said section.  

(2) The pecuniary limits of the Gram Nyayalaya shall be such as may be specified by the High Court, 

in consultation with the State Government, by notification, from time to time. 

14. Power to amend Schedules.— (1) Where the Central Government is satisfied that it is necessary 
or  expedient  so  to  do,  it  may,  by  notification,  add  to  or  omit  any  item  in  Part  I  or  Part  II  of  the  First 
Schedule  or  Part  II  of  the  Second  Schedule,  as  the  case  may  be,  and  it  shall  be  deemed  to  have  been 
amended accordingly. 

(2) Every notification issued under sub-section (1) shall be laid before each House of Parliament.  

(3)  If  the  State  Government  is  satisfied  that  it  is  necessary  or  expedient  so  to  do,  it  may,  in 
consultation with the High Court, by notification, add to any item in Part III of the First Schedule or Part 
III of the Second Schedule or omit from it any item in respect of which the State Legislature is competent 
to  make  laws  and  thereupon  the  First  Schedule  or  the  Second  Schedule,  as  the  case  may  be,  shall  be 
deemed to have been amended accordingly.  

(4) Every notification issued under sub-section (3) shall be laid before the State Legislature. 

15. Limitation.— (1) The provisions of the Limitation Act, 1963 (36 of 1963) shall be applicable to 

the suits triable by the Gram Nyayalaya.  

(2) The provisions of Chapter XXXVI of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall be 

applicable in respect of the offences triable by the Gram Nyayalaya. 

16. Transfer of pending proceedings.— (1) The District Court or the Court of Session, as the case 
may  be,  with  effect  from  such  date  as  may  be  notified  by  the  High  Court,  may  transfer  all  the  civil  or 
criminal  cases,  pending  before  the  courts  subordinate  to it, to the  Gram  Nyayalaya  competent  to try  or 
dispose of such cases. 

(2)  The  Gram  Nyayalaya  may,  in  its  discretion,  either  retry  the  cases  or  proceed  from  the  stage  at 

which it was transferred to it. 

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17.  Duties  of  ministerial  officers.—    (1)  The  State  Government  shall  determine  the  nature  and 
categories of the officers and other employees required to assist a Gram Nyayalaya in the discharge of its 
functions and provide the Gram Nyayalaya with such officers and other employees as it may think fit.  

(2) The salaries and allowances payable to, and other conditions of service of, the officers and other 

employees of the Gram Nyayalaya shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

(3) The officers and other employees of a Gram Nyayalaya shall perform such duties as may, from 

time to time, be assigned to them by the Nyayadhikari. 

CHAPTER IV 

PROCEDURE IN CRIMINAL CASES 

18.  Overriding  effect  of  Act  in  criminal  trial.—  The  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  have  effect 
notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of  Criminal  Procedure,  1973  (2  of  1974)  or  any  other 
law, but save as expressly provided in this Act, the provisions of the Code shall, in so far as they are not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, apply to the proceedings before a Gram Nyayalaya; and for 
the  purpose  of  the  said  provisions  of  the  Code,  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  shall  be  deemed  to  be  a  Court  of 
Judicial Magistrate of the first class. 

19.  Gram  Nyayalaya  to  follow  summary  trial  procedure.—    (1)  Notwithstanding  anything 
contained  in  sub-section  (1)  of  section  260  or  sub-section  (2)  of  section  262  of  the  Code  of  Criminal 
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) the Gram Nyayalaya shall try the offences in a summary way in accordance 
with  the  procedure  specified  in  Chapter  XXI  of  the  said  Code  and  the  provisions  of  sub-section  (1)  of 
section 262 and sections 263 to 265 of the said Code, shall, so far as may be, apply to such trial. 

 (2) When, in the course of a summary trial, it appears to the Nyayadhikari that the nature of the case 
is such that it is undesirable to try it summarily, the Nyayadhikari shall recall any witness who may have 
been  examined  and  proceed  to  re-hear  the  case  in  the  manner  provided  under  the  Code  of  Criminal 
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

20.  Plea  bargaining  before  Gram  Nyayalaya.—  A  person  accused  of  an  offence  may  file  an 
application for plea bargaining in Gram Nyayalaya in which such offence is pending trial and the Gram 
Nyayalaya shall dispose of the case in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XXIA of the Code of 
Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974). 

21.  Conduct  of  cases  in  Gram  Nyayalaya  and  legal  aid  to  parties.—  (1)  For  the  purpose  of 
conducting criminal cases in the Gram Nyayalaya on behalf of the Government, the provisions of section 
25 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) shall apply. 

(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in sub-section (1), in a criminal proceeding before the Gram 
Nyayalaya, the complainant may engage an advocate of his choice at his expense to present the case of 
prosecution with the leave of the Gram Nyayalaya. 

(3) The State Legal Services Authority, constituted under section 6 of the Legal Services Authorities 
Act, 1987 (39 of 1987) shall prepare a panel of advocates and assign at least two of them to be attached to 
each  Gram  Nyayalaya  so  that  their  services  may  be  provided  by  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  to  the  accused 
unable to engage an advocate. 

22.  Pronouncement  of  judgment.—  (1)  The  judgment  in  every  trial  shall  be  pronounced  by  the 
Nyayadhikari in open court immediately after the termination of the trial or at any subsequent time, not 
exceeding fifteen days, of which notice shall be given to the parties. 

(2) The Gram Nyayalaya shall deliver a copy of its judgment immediately to both the parties free of 

cost. 

CHAPTER V 

PROCEDURE IN CIVIL CASES 

23.  Overriding  effect  of  Act  in  civil  proceedings.—  The  provisions  of  this  Act  shall  have  effect 
notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908) or any other law, 

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but  save  as  expressly  provided  in  this  Act,  the  provisions  of  the  Code  shall,  in  so  far  as  they  are  not 
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, apply to the proceedings before a Gram Nyayalaya; and for 
the purpose of the said provisions of the Code, the Gram Nyayalaya shall be deemed to be a civil court. 

24. Special procedure in civil disputes.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in any other law 
for the time being in force, every suit, claim or dispute under this Act shall be instituted by making an 
application  to  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  in  such  form,  in  such  manner,  and  accompanied  by  such  fee,  not 
exceeding rupees one hundred, as may be prescribed by the High Court, from time to time, in consultation 
with the State Government. 

 (2) Where a suit, claim or dispute has been duly instituted, a summons shall be issued by the Gram 
Nyayalaya, accompanied by a copy of the application made under sub-section (1), to the opposite party to 
appear and answer the claim by such date as may be specified therein and the same shall be served in such 
manner as may be prescribed by the High Court. 

(3)  After  the  opposite  party  files  his  written  statement,  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  shall  fix  a  date  for 

hearing and inform all the parties to be present in person or through their advocates. 

(4) On the date fixed for hearing, the Gram Nyayalaya shall hear both the parties in regard to their 
respective contentions and where the dispute does not require recording of any evidence, pronounce the 
judgment; and in case where it requires recording of evidence, the Gram Nyayalaya shall proceed further. 

(5) The Gram Nyayalaya shall also have the power— 

(a) to dismiss any case for default or to proceed ex parte; and 

(b) to set aside any such order of dismissal for default or any order passed by it for hearing the 

case ex parte.  

(6) In regard to any incidental matter that may arise during the course of the proceedings, the Gram 

Nyayalaya shall adopt such procedure as it may deem just and reasonable in the interest of justice. 

(7)  The  proceedings  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  be  consistent  with  the  interests  of  justice  and  the 
hearing shall be continued on a day-to-day basis until its conclusion, unless the Gram Nyayalaya finds the 
adjournment  of  the  hearing  beyond  the  following  day  to  be  necessary  for  reasons  to  be  recorded  in 
writing. 

(8) The Gram Nyayalaya shall dispose of the application made under sub-section (1) within a period 

of six months from the date of its institution. 

 (9)  The  judgment  in  every  suit,  claim  or  dispute  shall  be  pronounced  in  open  court  by  the  Gram 
Nyayalaya immediately after conclusion of hearing or at any subsequent time, not exceeding fifteen days, 
of which notice shall be given to the parties. 

(10)  The  judgment  shall  contain  a  concise  statement  of  the  case,  the  point  for  determination,  the 

decision thereon and the reasons for such decision. 

 (11) A copy of the judgment shall be delivered free of cost to both the parties within three days from 

the date of pronouncement of the judgment. 

25.  Execution  of  decrees  and  orders  of  Gram  Nyayalaya.—  (1)  Notwithstanding  anything 
contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 (5 of 1908)  the judgment passed by a Gram Nyayalaya 
shall be deemed to be a decree and it shall be executed by a Gram Nyayalaya as a decree of the civil court 
and for this purpose, the Gram Nyayalaya shall have all the powers of a civil court. 

 (2) The Gram Nyayalaya shall not be bound by the procedure in respect of execution of a decree as 
provided  in  the  Code  of  Civil  Procedure,  1908  (5  of  1908)  and  it  shall  be  guided  by  the  principles  of 
natural justice. 

(3) A decree may be executed either by the Gram Nyayalaya which passed it or by the other Gram 

Nyayalaya to which it is sent for execution. 

26. Duty of Gram Nyayalaya to make efforts for conciliation and settlement of civil disputes.— 
(1)  In  every  suit  or  proceeding,  endeavour  shall  be  made  by  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  in  the  first  instance, 
where it is possible to do so, consistent with the nature and circumstances of the case, to assist, persuade 
and conciliate the parties in arriving at a settlement in respect of the subject matter of the suit, claim or 

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dispute and for this purpose, a Gram Nyayalaya shall follow such procedure as may be prescribed by the 
High Court.  

(2)  Where  in  any  suit  or  proceeding,  it  appears  to  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  at  any  stage  that  there  is  a 
reasonable  possibility  of  a  settlement  between  the  parties,  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  may  adjourn  the 
proceeding for such period as it thinks fit to enable them to make attempts to effect such a settlement. 

(3)  Where  any  proceeding  is  adjourned  under  sub-section  (2),  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  may,  in  its 

discretion, refer the matter to one or more Conciliators for effecting a settlement between the parties. 

(4) The power conferred by sub-section (2) shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any other 

power of the Gram Nyayalaya to adjourn the proceeding. 

27. Appointment of Conciliators.— (1) For the purposes of section 26, the District Court shall, in 
consultation with the District Magistrate, prepare a panel consisting of the names of social workers at the 
village  level  having  integrity  for  appointment  as  Conciliators  who  possess  such  qualifications  and 
experience as may be prescribed by the High Court. 

(2)  The  sitting  fee  and  other  allowances  payable  to,  and  the  other  terms  and  conditions  for 

engagement of, Conciliators shall be such as may be prescribed by the State Government. 

28. Transfer of civil disputes.— The District Court having jurisdiction may, on an application made 
by  any  party  or  when  there  is  considerable  pendency  of  cases  in  one  Gram  Nyayalaya  or  whenever  it 
considers necessary in the interests of justice, transfer any case pending before a Gram Nyayalaya to any 
other Gram Nyayalaya within its jurisdiction. 

CHAPTER VI 

PROCEDURE GENERALLY 

29.  Proceedings  to  be  in  the  official  language  of  the  State.—  The  proceedings  before  the  Gram 
Nyayalaya  and  its  judgment  shall,  as  far  as  practicable,  be  in one  of  the  official  languages  of  the  State 
other than the English language. 

30. Application of Indian Evidence Act, 1872.— A Gram Nyayalaya may receive as evidence any 
report,  statement,  document,  information  or  matter  that  may,  in  its  opinion,  assist  it  to  deal  effectually 
with  a  dispute,  whether  or  not  the  same  would  be  otherwise  relevant  or  admissible  under  the  Indian 
Evidence Act, 1872 (1 of 1872). 

31.  Record  of  oral  evidence.—    In  suits  or  proceedings  before  a  Gram  Nyayalaya,  it  shall  not  be 
necessary to record the evidence of witnesses at length, but the Nyayadhikari, as the examination of each 
witness proceeds, shall, record or cause to be recorded, a memorandum of substance of what the witness 
deposes,  and  such  memorandum  shall  be  signed  by  the  witness  and  the  Nyayadhikari  and  it  shall form 
part of the record. 

32.  Evidence  of  formal  character  on  affidavit.—  (1)  The  evidence  of  any  person  where  such 
evidence is of a formal character, may be  given by  affidavit and may, subject to all just exceptions, be 
read in evidence in any suit or proceeding before a Gram Nyayalaya.  

(2) The Gram Nyayalaya may, if it thinks fit, and shall, on the application of any of the parties to the 

suit or proceeding, summon and examine any such person as to the facts contained in his affidavit. 

CHAPTER VII 

APPEALS 

33.  Appeal  in  criminal  cases.—  (1)  Notwithstanding  anything  contained  in  the  Code  of  Criminal 
Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974) or any other law, no appeal shall lie from any judgment, sentence or order of 
a Gram Nyayalaya except as provided hereunder. 

(2) No appeal shall lie where— 

(a) an accused person has pleaded guilty and has been convicted on such plea; 

(b) the Gram Nyayalaya has passed only a sentence of fine not exceeding one thousand rupees. 

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(3)  Subject  to  sub-section  (2),  an  appeal  shall  lie  from  any  other  judgment,  sentence  or  order  of  a 

Gram Nyayalaya to the Court of Session. 

(4) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of 

judgment, sentence or order of a Gram Nyayalaya:  

Provided that the Court of Session may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty 
days if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said 
period.  

(5) An appeal preferred under sub-section (3) shall be heard and disposed of by the Court of Session 

within six months from the date of filing of such appeal. 

(6) The Court of Session may, pending disposal of the appeal, direct the suspension of the sentence or 

order appealed against. 

(7) The decision of the Court of Session under sub-section (5) shall be final and no appeal or revision 

shall lie from the decision of the Court of Session:  

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  preclude  any  person  from  availing  of  the  judicial 

remedies available under articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution. 

34. Appeal in civil cases.— (1) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Code of Civil Procedure, 
1908 (5 of 1908) or any other law, and subject to sub-section (2), an appeal shall lie from every judgment 
or order, not being an interlocutory order, of a Gram Nyayalaya to the District Court.  

(2) No appeal shall lie from any judgment or order passed by the Gram Nyayalaya— 

(a) with the consent of the parties; 

(b) where the amount or value of the subject matter of a suit, claim or dispute does not exceed 

rupees one thousand; 

(c)  except  on  a  question  of  law,  where  the  amount  or  value  of  the  subject  matter  of  such  suit, 

claim or dispute does not exceed rupees five thousand. 

 (3) Every appeal under this section shall be preferred within a period of thirty days from the date of 

the judgment or order of a Gram Nyayalaya:  

Provided that the District Court may entertain an appeal after the expiry of the said period of thirty 
days if it is satisfied that the appellant had sufficient cause for not preferring the appeal within the said 
period. 

 (4) An appeal preferred under sub-section (1) shall be heard  and disposed of  by the District Court 

within six months from the date of filing of the appeal. 

(5) The District Court may, pending disposal of the appeal, stay execution of the judgment or order 

appealed against. 

(6) The decision of the District Court under sub-section (4) shall be final and no appeal or revision 

shall lie from the decision of the District Court: 

Provided  that  nothing  in  this  sub-section  shall  preclude  any  person  from  availing  of  the  judicial 

remedies available under articles 32 and 226 of the Constitution. 

CHAPTER VIII 

MISCELLANEOUS 

35.  Assistance  of  police  to  Gram  Nyayalayas.—  (1)  Every  police  officer  functioning  within  the 
local  limits  of  jurisdiction  of  a  Gram  Nyayalaya  shall  be  bound  to  assist  the  Gram  Nyayalaya  in  the 
exercise of its lawful authority. 

(2)  Whenever  the  Gram  Nyayalaya,  in  the  discharge  of  its  functions,  directs  a  revenue  officer  or 
police officer or Government servant to provide assistance to the Gram Nyayalaya, he shall be bound to 
provide such assistance. 

9 

 
36.  Nyayadhikaris  and  employees,  etc.,  to  be  public  servants.—  The  Nyayadhikaris  and  the 
officers and other employees of the Gram Nyayalayas shall be deemed, when acting or purporting to act 
in pursuance of any of the provisions of this Act, to be public servants within the meaning of section 21 of 
the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860). 

37. Inspection of Gram Nyayalayas.— The High Court may authorise any judicial officer superior 
in  rank  to  the  Nyayadhikari  to  inspect  the  Gram  Nyayalayas  within  his  jurisdiction  once  in  every  six 
months or such other period as the High Court may prescribe and issue such instructions, as he considers 
necessary and submit a report to the High Court. 

38. Power to remove difficulties.— (1) If any difficulty arises in giving effect to the provisions of 
this Act, the Central Government may, by order published in the Official Gazette, make such provisions 
not  inconsistent  with  the  provisions  of  this  Act,  as  may  appear  to  it  to  be  necessary  or  expedient  for 
removing the difficulty:  

Provided that no order shall be made under this section after the expiry of a period of three years from 

the date of commencement of this Act. 

(2) Every order made under this section shall be laid, as soon as may be after it is made, before each 

House of Parliament. 

39. Power of High Court to make rules.— (1) The High Court may, by notification, make rules for 

carrying out the provisions of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—  

(a) the form and dimensions of the seal of the Gram Nyayalaya under section 10; 

(b) the form, the manner and the fee for institution of suit, claim or proceeding under sub-section 

(1) of section 24;  

(c) manner of service on opposite party under sub-section (2) of section 24; 

(d) procedure for conciliation under sub-section (1) of section 26; 

(e) qualifications and experience of Conciliators under sub-section (1) of section 27; 

(f) the period for inspection of Gram Nyayalayas under section 37. 

(3) Every notification issued by the High Court shall be published in the Official Gazette. 

40. Power of State Government to make rules.— (1) The State Government may, by notification, 

make rules for carrying out the provisions of this Act. 

(2)  In  particular,  and  without  prejudice  to  the  generality  of  the  foregoing  power,  such  rules  may 

provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:— 

(a) the salaries and allowances payable to, and the other terms and conditions of service of, the 

officers and other employees of the Gram Nyayalayas under sub-section (2) of section 17; 

(b)  the  sitting  fee  and  other  allowances  payable  to,  and  the  other  terms  and  conditions  for 

engagement of, Conciliators under sub-section (2) of section 27. 

(3) Every rule made by the State Government under this Act shall be laid as soon as may be after it is 

made, before the State Legislature.  

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THE FIRST SCHEDULE 

(See sections 12 and 14) 

PART I 

OFFENCES UNDER THE INDIAN PENAL CODE (45 OF 1860), ETC. 

(i) offences not punishable with death, imprisonment for life or imprisonment for a term exceeding 

two years; 

(ii) theft, under section 379, section 380 or section 381 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), where 

the value of the property stolen does not exceed rupees twenty thousand; 

(iii) receiving or retaining stolen property, under section 411 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860), 

where the value of the property does not exceed rupees twenty thousand; 

(iv) assisting in the concealment or disposal of stolen property, under section 414 of the Indian Penal 

Code (45 of 1860), where the value of such property does not exceed rupees twenty thousand; 

(v) offences under sections 454 and 456 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); 

(vi) insult with intent to provoke a breach of the peace, under section 504, and criminal intimidation, 
punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both, under 
section 506 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860); 

(vii) abetment of any of the foregoing offences; 

(viii) an attempt to commit any of the foregoing offences, when such attempt is an offence. 

PART II 

OFFENCES AND RELIEF UNDER THE OTHER CENTRAL ACTS 

(i) any offence constituted by an act in respect of which a complaint may be made under section 20 of 

the Cattle-trespass Act, 1871(1 of 1871); 

(ii) the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (4 of 1936); 

(iii) the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948); 

(iv) the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955 (22 of 1955); 

(v) order for maintenance of wives, children and parents under Chapter IX of the Code of Criminal 

Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974); 

(vi) the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976 (19 of 1976); 

(vii) the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 (25 of 1976); 

(viii) the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 (43 of 2005). 

PART III 

OFFENCES AND RELIEF UNDER THE STATE ACTS 

(To be notified by the State Government) 

11 

 
 
THE SECOND SCHEDULE 

(See sections 13 and 14) 

PART I 

SUITS OF A CIVIL NATURE WITHIN THE JURISDICTION OF GRAM NYAYALAYAS 

(i) Civil Disputes: 

(a) right to purchase of property; 

(b) use of common pasture; 

(c) regulation and timing of taking water from irrigation channel. 

(ii) Property Disputes: 

(a) village and farm houses (Possession); 

(b) water channels; 

(c) right to draw water from a well or tube well. 

(iii) Other Disputes: 

(a) claims under the Payment of Wages Act, 1936 (4 of 1936); 

(b) claims under the Minimum Wages Act, 1948 (11 of 1948); 

(c) money suits either arising from trade transaction or money lending; 

(d) disputes arising out of the partnership in cultivation of land; 

(e) disputes as to the use of forest produce by inhabitants of Gram Panchayats.  

PART II 

CLAIMS AND DISPUTES UNDER THE CENTRAL ACTS NOTIFIED UNDER SUB-SECTION (1) OF SECTION 14  

BY THE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT 

(To be notified by the Central Government) 

PART III 

CLAIMS AND DISPUTES UNDER THE STATE ACTS NOTIFIED UNDER SUB-SECTION (3) OF SECTION 14 BY  

THE STATE GOVERNMENT 

(To be notified by the State Government 

12 

 
 
