Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. vs Arvind Kumar & Ors.
2017 Latest Caselaw 5004 Del

$~5
*     IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
                                     Decided on: 12th September, 2017
+     MAC.APP. 414/2016 and CM 18656/2017

      ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. ..... Appellant
                          Through: Mr. Tarkeshwar Nath, Mr. Saurabh
                          Kr. Tuteja and Mr. Onkar Nath, Advocates

                          versus


      ARVIND KUMAR & ORS.                            ..... Respondents

                          Through: Mr. Lakhmi Chand, Adv. for R-1

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

                    JUDGMENT (ORAL)

1. The only issue urged and pressed at the hearing by the appellant / insurance company in appeal is that the rate of interest (12% p.a.) levied by the tribunal on the awarded compensation in favour of the first respondent is excessive.

2. On being asked, the learned counsel representing the first respondent fairly concedes that there were no special reasons for such rate of interest being levied, which is higher than the ordinary. Following the consistent view taken by this court, the rate of interest is reduced to 9% p.a. (nine percent) [see judgment dated 22.02.2016 in MAC.APP. 165/2011, Oriental Insurance Co Ltd v. Sangeeta Devi & Ors.]. The award is modified accordingly.

3. By order dated 17.05.2016, the appellant had been directed to deposit the entire awarded amount with interest at the rate of 9% p.a. (nine percent) with the tribunal and out of such deposit, 50% (fifty percent) was allowed to be released to the claimant. The balance in deposit shall also now be released to the claimant in terms of the impugned judgment.

4. The statutory amount shall be refunded.

5. The appeal and the pending application are disposed of in above terms.

R.K.GAUBA, J.

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017 yg