The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008

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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. 

 

CHAPTER VII 

APPEALS 

33. Appeal in criminal cases. 

34. Appeal in civil cases. 

 

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 

[7th January, 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:— 

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 except 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 “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. 



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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)  



12 
 

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)