(5)Trial and finding of the Gram Sabha Adalat.-(i) The Gram Sabha Adalat after hearing both the parties and their witnesses, if any, shall give its findings in writing.(ii)The Gram Sabha Adalat is not required to follow the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Act 5 of 1898) or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 but the deposition of the parties or of their witnesses, if any, shall be recorded and filed with the case records.(iii)If the Chairman of the Gram Sabha Adalat is not sitting, the presiding member shall be chosen by lot.(iv)No decision in any case shall be arrived at by a Gram Sabha Adalat if at least 3 of its members are not present at all sittings.(v)If the members of a Gram Sabha Adalat are not unanimous, the majority decision shall prevail. In the event of equality of votes, the record shall be forwarded to the District Magistrate or Sub-divisional Magistrate, as the case may be, or decision.
