Indore police mediation centre settles disputes, helps applicants recover over Rs 8 crore

Not every dispute has to be decided at a police station or in a court. The community mediation centre of the Indore Police Commissionerate is putting this idea into practice. Both parties sit face to face, talk, and arrive at a way forward by mutual consent that gives relief to both and leaves some room in their relationship.

The centre has so far received 1,168 applications, of which more than 87 per cent have been disposed of. In 148 cases, applicants have been helped to recover a total of Rs 8,04,25,143 by mutual consent.

The centre functions at the Police Commissioner's office (Palasia) and is run with the support of the Madhya Pradesh State Legal Services Authority. It was started by Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav. According to Police Commissioner Santosh Kumar Singh, the centre has become an alternative forum for resolving common family, financial and property disputes. Family disputes and disputes over money dealings were settled here through talks and counselling.

The centre hears many kinds of cases. These include disputes between husband and wife and other family disputes, personal money dealings, business dues, quarrels between neighbours, property disputes and disputes between landlords and tenants. Trained mediators seat both parties face to face and hear them. They then try to build consensus through discussion and persuasion.

Hearings are held four days a week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. On average, 15 to 20 cases are taken up each day.

According to the centre's figures, 55 cases were settled in 2025 and applicants got back Rs 3,02,76,708. In 2026 so far, 93 cases have been resolved and Rs 5,01,48,435 has been returned. Taken together, applicants have received a total of Rs 8,04,25,143 through 148 cases over the two years.