(1)The State Government may establish a Gram Sabha Adalat for a gramdan village consisting of such number of members of the Gram Sabha and in such manner as may be prescribed and such Gram Sabha Adalat shall have power to try and dispose of-(a)any dispute of a civil nature between residents of the Gramdan village which the parties have by a written agreement, referred to the Gram Sabha Adalat for decision ;(b)any criminal case other than a case involving an offence which is not compoundable, or which is compoundable only with the permission of the court, under the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.[Now Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (2 of 1974).(2)In any case of conviction, a Gram Sabha Adalat may impose a sentence of fine not exceeding Rs. 250 but shall not impose a sentence of imprisonment substantially or in default of payment of fine.(3)No member of a Gram Sabha Adalat shall take part in the trial or disposal of any civil or criminal case in or to which he is a party or is interested.
