New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs Mobin & Ors.
2017 Latest Caselaw 4483 Del

$~R-142
*    IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
                                         Decided on: 25th August, 2017
+      MAC APPEAL No. 604/2009

       NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD.       ..... Appellant
                    Through: Mr. D.K. Sharma, Adv.

                          versus

       MOBIN & ORS.                                   ..... Respondents
                          Through:     None.

CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE R.K.GAUBA

                      JUDGMENT (ORAL)

1. The insurance company on which the liability to pay compensation in favour of the first respondent on his claim petition (petition no. 454/2008) has been fastened, by judgment dated 23.07.2009, is in appeal to reiterate its plea for recovery rights on the ground, that there was breach of terms and conditions of the insurance policy. This contention is based on fact that the driving licence of the second respondent, who was the driver of the offending vehicle, though valid, had been issued on the basis of a previous document, it being fake. This plea cannot be accepted as the driving licence on the crucial date of cause of action was concededly valid and effective. The driver may be guilty of having committed an offence for use of the fake document to secure a driving licence, but that cannot mean that

the insurance company can take advantage out of it as against the owner of the vehicle.

2. The denial of the recovery rights, by the tribunal, by impugned judgment, is in accord with the view taken by this court in MAC appeal no. 30/2015 Bharti Axa General Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. Bano Begum & Ors. decided on 24th July, 2017.

3. The appeal is therefore, dismissed.

4. The statutory deposit shall be refunded.

R.K.GAUBA, J.

AUGUST 25, 2017 nk