New India Assurance Co Ltd v. Sukhdev Prasad Yadav & Ors.

Delhi High Court · 06 Nov 2013 · 2013:DHC:5663
Suresh Kait
MAC.APP. 282/2011
2013:DHC:5663
civil appeal_dismissed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court held that an insurance company remains liable to pay compensation in a motor accident claim even if the driver did not have a valid driving licence at the time of the accident, dismissing the insurer's appeal.

Full Text
Translation output
MAC.APP. 282/2011
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
JUDGMENT
delivered on: 6th November, 2013 MAC.APP. No.282/2011
NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO LTD. ..... Appellant Represented by: Mr.Kanwal Chaudhary, Advocate.
Versus
SUKHDEV PRASAD YADAV & ORS. ..... Respondents
Represented by: Mr.Navneet Goyal, Advocate for Respondent No.1.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURESH KAIT SURESH KAIT, J. (Oral)

1. The present appeal is directed against the impugned award dated 20.11.2010, whereby the learned Tribunal has granted a compensation of Rs.98,744/- with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the petition till realization.

2. The sole ground argued by learned counsel for the appellant/Insurance Company is that driver of the offending vehicle was not having valid driving licence at the time of the accident, therefore, in that eventuality, the learned Tribunal ought to have exonerated the Insurance Company from the liability of paying compensation. 2013:DHC:5663 MAC.APP. 282/2011

4. Similar issue came up before this Court in the case bearing MACA No.805/2012, titled as ‘Sanotsh Chhabra & Ors. Vs. Abishek Gureja & Ors.’, decided on 04.10.2013. Therefore, keeping in view the aforesaid dictum, I do not find any merit in the instant appeal.

5. Consequently, the Registrar General of this Court is directed to release the awarded amount with upto date interest accrued thereon in favour of the respondent No.1/claimant on taking necessary steps by him.

6. Statutory amount of Rs.25,000/- shall be released in favour of the appellant/Insurance Company.

7. Accordingly, the present appeal is dismissed.

SURESH KAIT, J. NOVEMBER 06, 2013 sb