The Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 was enacted to strengthen rural local self governance by providing a system of accessible, speedy and affordable justice at the grassroots level. The Act establishes Gram Nyayalayas as courts of first instance for rural areas, ensuring that justice delivery is brought closer to the people and aligned with local socio-economic conditions. The jurisdiction of Gram Nyayalayas is both territorial and subject-based. Territorial jurisdiction extends to one or more Gram Panchayats or a group of contiguous villages, as notified by the State Government in consultation with the respective High Court. These courts may function as mobile courts, enabling them to travel to villages within their jurisdiction, thereby reducing the burden on rural litigants who otherwise face difficulties in accessing distant courts. This feature reflects the decentralised spirit of rural local self governance by integrating justice delivery with village-level administration. In terms of subject-matter jurisdiction, Gram Nyayalayas have both