National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Bhukya Tara & Ors.

Supreme Court of India · 08 May 2008
H. K. Sema; Markandey Katju
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7805 OF 2002
civil appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Supreme Court allowed the insurance company's appeal, setting aside compensation awards for death of a passenger in a goods vehicle, following binding precedent that excludes insurer liability in such cases.

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http://JUDIS.NIC.IN SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7805 OF 2002
NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. .......APPELLAN
T(S)
VERSUS
BHUKYA TARA & ORS. .....RESPONDENT
(S)
WITH
C.A.NO.7804 OF 2002 & C.A. NO.8332 OF 2002
These appeals have been filed by the insurance company against the award passed by the tribunal and affirmed by the High Court. It is not disputed that the deceased was travelling in a goods vehicle. Therefore, the cases in hand are squarely covered by the decision of three-Judge Bench of this Court rendered in New India
Assurance Co. Ltd. Vs Asha Rani & Ors., (2003) 2 SCC 223.
The appeals are allowed. The orders of the tribunal and of the High Court are set aside. However, if any compensation has actually been paid to the respondent as of today, the same shall not be recovered. We further clarify that if any amount deposited before the tribunal is still not paid to the claimant, the same shall be refunded to the appeallant. ...........................J.
( H.K. SEMA )
New Delhi; ...........................J.
May 08, 2008. ( MARKANDEY KATJU )
JUDGMENT