New Delhi, Aug. 22 -- The Supreme Court on Friday held a special Lok Adalat where judges, lawyers and senior advocates shared the bench to settle cases through mediation as part of a three-day exercise to reduce pendency. Shedding their usual judicial attire, judges sat below their raised platforms and heard litigants appearing physically or virtually through lawyers or district legal services authorities. The informal setting allowed parties to interact freely, with judges ensuring settlements were voluntary and without pressure. The matters included banking, matrimonial, motor accident, consumer, labour, RERA, cheque-bouncing, property, eviction, service, including taxation disputes. Friday marked the first day of the Supreme Court Action for Mediated Adjudication and Disputes Harmonization Across Nation (SAMADHAN) Samaroh. Nearly 15 benches conducted the Special Lok Adalat from 2pm after completing regular proceedings. Judges will continue the exercise on Saturday and Sunday. The CJI-led bench also decided to identify similar tax disputes involving faceless assessments that are clogging the judicial docket. The process to organise the Special Lok Adalat began four months ago when the SC issued a public notice inviting advocates, litigants and stakeholders to indicate their willingness to settle long-standing disputes through amicable settlements....