KRISHNA DEVI v. ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

Delhi High Court · 13 May 2016 · 2016:DHC:3879
R. K. Gauba
MAC. APP. No.506/2013
2016:DHC:3879
civil appeal_allowed Significant

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court held that a loader traveling in a goods vehicle for loading/unloading purposes is not a gratuitous passenger, and thus insurer's recovery rights against the vehicle owner on breach of policy terms were set aside.

Full Text
Translation output
MAC. APP. No.506/2013 HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Date of Decision: 13th May, 2016
MAC.APP. 506/2013
KRISHNA DEVI ..... Appellant
Through Mr. Jitender Saini and Mr. Rakesh Ranjan, Advs.
VERSUS
ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED & ORS. ..... Respondent
Through Mr. J P N Shahi, Adv. for R-1
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.K.GAUBA
JUDGMENT
R.K.GAUBA, J (ORAL):

1. By judgment dated 21.08.2009 while deciding accident claim case (suit No.855/2007) awarding compensation in favour of the claimants (the widow and other dependent family members of Mohar Singh) on account of death of Mohar Singh in motor vehicular accident that had occurred on 25.09.1997 involving Tata tempo No.DL 1LA 9187 (the offending vehicle) and directing the first respondent (insurer) to satisfy the said award, it being admittedly the insurer against third party risk respecting the offending vehicle for the period in question, it was granted recovery rights against the appellant, the owner of the offending vehicle, on the finding that the vehicle 2016:DHC:3879 MAC. APP. No.506/2013 in question was a goods vehicle and since the deceased was travelling as a gratuitous passenger there had been a violation of terms and conditions of the policy.

2. The appellant by the appeal at hand challenges the recovery rights.

3. It is noted that the pleadings and evidence on record clearly showed that the deceased had been engaged as a loader (palledar) along with certain other labourers for loading on to the vehicle certain goods and was carried in the vehicle to the point of destination, apparently for off-loading the said cargo. In these circumstances, the plea of breach cannot be sustained. It is set aside. The recovery rights are vacated.

4. The appeal stands disposed of.

R.K. GAUBA (JUDGE) MAY 13, 2016 VLD