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Judgment Reserved On Judgment ... vs Minor Sanmathi
2021 Latest Caselaw 4773 Mad

Citation : 2021 Latest Caselaw 4773 Mad
Judgement Date : 24 February, 2021

Madras High Court
Judgment Reserved On Judgment ... vs Minor Sanmathi on 24 February, 2021
                                                              C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                                   IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

                                                     DATED: 24.02.2021

                                                          CORAM:

                                   THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE V.M.VELUMANI

                                          C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019
                                        and C.M.P.No.10601, 10603 & 10614 of 2019


                                   Judgment reserved on            Judgment pronounced on
                                        29.01.2021                        24.02.2021

                     Royal Sundaram Allianz Insurance Co. Ltd.,
                     Nungambakkam, Chennai, having D.O. At 8-H-1,
                     Mangalam Buildings, Omalur Main Road,
                     Salem 7.                                                       .. Appellant in
                                                                                    all the appeals

                                                            Vs.

                     1.Minor Sanmathi
                     (rep. By next friend/guardian/mother,
                     Brundadevi)

                     2.T.V.Sivanandhan                                          ...Respondents
                                                                      in C.M.A.No.2339 of 2019

                     1.A.Brundadevi

                     2.T.V.Sivanandhan                                        ... Respondents in
                                                                         C.M.A.No.2342 of 2019

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                                                            C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     1.A.Brundadevi

                     2.Minor Sanmathi
                     (rep. By next friend/guardian/mother
                     Brundadevi)

                     3.P.Rangasamy

                     4.R.Dhanam

                     5.T.V.Sivanandhan                                  ... Respondents in
                                                                   C.M.A.No.2344 of 2019
                     Common Prayer: These Civil Miscellaneous Appeals are filed under
                     Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the common award
                     dated 17.02.2017, made in M.C.O.P. Nos.511, 510 & 509 of 2011, on the
                     file of the II Additional District Court, (Motor Accident Claims
                     Tribunal), Salem.
                                       (In C.M.A.No.2339/2019)

                                         For Appellant   : Mr.K.Vinod
                                         For Respondents : Mr.D.Saravanan (For R1)
                                                           Mr.D.S.Ramesh (For R2)

                                         (In C.M.A.No.2342/2019)

                                         For Appellant   : Mr.K.Vinod
                                         For Respondents : No appearance (For R1)
                                                           Mr.D.S.Ramesh (For R2)
                                         (In C.M.A.No.2344/2019)

                                         For Appellant   : Mr.K.Vinod
                                         For Respondents : No appearance (For R1 to R4)
                                                           Mr.D.S.Ramesh (For R5)


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                                                              C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                                               COMMON          JUDGMENT

                                     The matter is heard through "Video Conferencing".

                               These appeals have been filed to set aside the common award

                     dated 17.02.2017, made in M.C.O.P. Nos.511, 510 & 509 of 2011, on the

                     file of the II Additional District Court, (Motor Accident Claims

                     Tribunal), Salem.



                               2.All the appeals arise out of the same accident and common

                     award. Hence, they are disposed of by this common judgment.



                               3.The appellant in all the appeals is the 2nd respondent-Insurance

                     Company in M.C.O.P. Nos.511, 510 & 509 of 2011, on the file of the II

                     Additional District Court, (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal), Salem. The

                     1st     respondent   in   C.M.A.Nos.2339     and    2342    of   2019    filed

                     M.C.O.P.Nos.511 & 510 of 2011, claiming a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- and

                     Rs.5,00,000/- respectively as compensation for the injuries sustained by

                     them in the accident that took place on 15.10.2010. The respondents 1 to


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                                                               C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     4 in C.M.A.No.2344 of 2019 filed M.C.O.P.No.509 of 2011, claiming a

                     sum of Rs.15,00,000/- as compensation for the death of one Arun, who

                     died in the accident that took place on 15.10.2010.



                               4.The parties are referred to as per their rank in M.C.O.P.No.509 of

                     2011, for the sake of convenience.



                               5.According to the claimants, on the date of accident, when the

                     deceased Arun was riding Motorcycle bearing Registration No.TN-65-B-

                     4700 along with his wife and daughter who are the claimants 1 and 2 as

                     pillion riders near Devangar Colony, Mettupatti Thathanur, in front of

                     M.R.Petrol Bunk, the driver of a Scorpio Car bearing Registration

                     No.TN-23-AC-3099 belonging to the 1st respondent, drove the same in a

                     rash and negligent manner and hit against the Motorcycle driven by the

                     deceased and caused the accident. In the accident, the deceased sustained

                     fatal injuries. The accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving by

                     driver of the Scorpio Car belonging to the 1st respondent and hence, filed


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                                                              C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     M.C.O.P.No.509 of 2011 against the respondents who are the owner and

                     insurer of the offending vehicle respectively. In the same accident, the

                     claimants 1 and 2 also sustained severe injuries and hence, they

                     separately filed claim petition in M.C.O.P.Nos.510 and 511 of 2011

                     respectively against the respondents as owner and insurer of the

                     offending vehicle respectively.



                               6.The 1st respondent remained exparte before the Tribunal.



                               7.The 2nd respondent-Insurance Company filed separate counter

                     statements in all the claim petitions and denied all the averments made in

                     the claim petitions. The claimants have stated that the said Scorpio Car

                     was insured with the 2nd respondent under cover note No.0981061 for the

                     period from 09.10.2010 to 08.10.2011, whereas the cover note book

                     bearing No.LUB 0060607 containing the said cover note No.0981061

                     was lost and a complaint was given to that effect before the Vellore North

                     Crime Police Station on 22.10.2009 itself, for which CSR No.490/2009


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                                                            C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     was also issued. The Police after investigation, issued a certificate on

                     16.09.2011, stating that all efforts taken to trace the cover note book

                     went in vain. Therefore, it is clear that the said cover note was lost almost

                     one year before the alleged accident that took place on 15.10.2010. The

                     alleged cover Note No.0981061 was not issued by the 2nd respondent to

                     the Scorpio Car bearing Registration No.TN-23-AC-3099 for the period

                     from 09.10.2010 to 08.10.2011 and the cover note mentioned in the

                     petitions is not a genuine document. The 2nd respondent has not received

                     any premium for the Scorpio Car and no policy was issued by the 2nd

                     respondent. In any event, the accident occurred when the deceased rode

                     the Motorcycle violating traffic rules by suddenly turning to his right to

                     reach the petrol bunk and dashed against the Scorpio Car. Hence, the

                     accident occurred only due to rash and negligent riding of Motorcycle by

                     the deceased. Therefore, this respondent is not liable to pay any

                     compensation and prayed for dismissal of all the claim petitions as

                     against the 2nd respondent.




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                                                              C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019




                               8.Before the Tribunal, the 3rd claimant examined himself as P.W.1,

                     1st claimant was examined as P.W.2, one Seenivasan was examined as

                     P.W.3, Sub-Inspector of Police, Karipatty Police Station, was examined

                     as P.W.4, one Puthuvainathan was examined as P.W.5 and 26 documents

                     were marked as Exs.P1 to P26. The 2nd respondent examined 1st

                     respondent as R.W.1 and one Subramanian as R.W.2 and marked 3

                     documents as Exs.R1 to R3. Three documents were marked as Exs.X1 to

                     X3.



                               9.The Tribunal considering the pleadings, oral and documentary

                     evidence, held that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent

                     driving by driver of the Scorpio Car belonging to the 1st respondent and

                     directed the respondents to jointly and severally pay a sum of

                     Rs.1,88,000/-, Rs.2,07,500/- and Rs.10,64,000/- as compensation to the

                     claimant(s) in all the claim petitions respectively.




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                                                             C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                               10.To set aside the said common award dated 17.02.2017, made in

                     M.C.O.P. Nos.511, 510 & 509 of 2011, the 2nd respondent-Insurance

                     Company has come out with the present appeals.



                               11.The learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent-Insurance

                     Company contended that on the date of accident, the offending vehicle

                     viz., Scorpio Car was not insured with the 2nd respondent. The alleged

                     cover note No.0981061 forming part of a cover note book bearing

                     No.LUB 0060607 relied on by claimants was lost on 22.10.2009 and the

                     2nd respondent lodged complaint on the same day. The Police issued CSR

                     receipt No.490/2009. The Police after investigation, issued certificate on

                     16.09.2011 stating that the lost cover note book was “not traceable”.

                     P.W.4 – Sub-Inspector of Police deposed that complaint was lodged by

                     the 2nd respondent-Insurance Company and certificate was issued. The

                     Tribunal erroneously rejected the evidence of P.W.4 without giving any

                     reason. The 1st respondent, owner of the vehicle remained exparte before

                     the Tribunal and he did not file any counter statement, denying the


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                                                           C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     averments in the counter filed by the 2nd respondent. In the above

                     circumstances, the Tribunal erred in accepting the evidence of R.W.1,

                     owner of Scorpio Car that he produced original insurance policy,

                     premium receipt and the cover note to the Police authorities, when P.W.4,

                     Natraj, Sub-Inspector of Police had categorically stated that such

                     documents are not available in the C.D. file marked as Ex.X1. The

                     Tribunal failed to consider the fact that Motor Vehicle Inspector's report

                     produced through P.W.5 for both the vehicles viz., Scorpio Car as well as

                     the Motorcycle driven by the deceased are not genuine. The Motor

                     Vehicle Inspector's report for the Motorcycle was computer generated

                     and that for the Scorpio Car was hand written. The Tribunal has

                     erroneously drawn adverse inference on the 2nd respondent, as the 2nd

                     respondent failed to take action against the officers who issued cover

                     note. The Tribunal failed to see that the 1st respondent, for first time as

                     R.W.1, has stated that he only handed over the policy and cover note to

                     the Police without any evidence, that he has paid premium and produced

                     policy, followed by the cover note. The Tribunal ought to have accepted


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                                                                C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                     the evidence of R.W.2 and dismissed all the claim petitions as 2nd

                     respondent-Insurance Company is not liable to pay compensation.



                               12.The learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent-Insurance

                     Company relied on the following judgments in support of their case:

                               (i) 2018 2 TNMAC 215 [Shriram General Insurance Co. Ltd.,Vs.

                     R.Maheswari and others]:

                                          “9. It is evident from the materials placed on
                                   record especially the Cover Note bearing S. Nos.
                                   402261 to 202270 (Ex.R-1) which includes S.No.
                                   402264 that the same had been issued in respect of the
                                   vehicle bearing Registration No. TN-04-K-0483 in
                                   favour of Saveetha Engineering College, Saveetha
                                   Nagar, Thandalam, Sriperumbudur which was neither
                                   in the name of the Fourth Respondent nor in respect of
                                   the vehicle bearing Registration No. PY-01-J-2264 that
                                   was involved in the accident in which the said
                                   Ravichandran had died and for which the First to
                                   Third Respondents were claiming compensation as his
                                   legal heirs. The only basis on which the First to Third
                                   Respondents had sought to fasten the liability on the
                                   Appellant was on the basis of the photocopy of the
                                   Cover Note bearing S.No. 402264 (Ex.P-3) obtained
                                   from the police, who had investigated that accident,
                                   but conspicuously the First to Third Respondents had
                                   not taken any efforts for examination of the police in
                                   that regard or to place evidence to the effect that the

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                                                                C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                                   Appellant had received premium for insuring the
                                   vehicle belonging to the Fourth Respondent that was
                                   involved in the accident.

                                         10. Further, the Claims Tribunal ought to have
                                   drawn the necessary inference against the Fourth
                                   Respondent for failure to reply to the notices dated
                                   19.10.2003 and 29.10.2003 (Ex.P-3 to P-5) and
                                   produce the original copy of the Cover Note if she
                                   really had custody of the same. In any event, if the
                                   Fourth Respondent was interested to claim indemnity
                                   from the Appellant, it was incumbent upon her to have
                                   appeared before the Claims Tribunal and produced the
                                   original of the Cover Note said to have been issued by
                                   the Appellant and also lead evidence for having paid
                                   the premium for the same.


                                          11. Be that as it may, the Claims Tribunal could
                                   not have disbelieved the contention of the Appellant
                                   that it had not issued the Cover Note bearing S.No.
                                   402264 for the vehicle bearing Registration No. PY-
                                   01-J-2264 in the name of the Fourth Respondent
                                   merely for the reason that the Appellant had not
                                   initiated criminal prosecution against the Fourth
                                   Respondent. It has to be pointed out here that it was
                                   the responsibility of the investigating officer of the
                                   police to have compared the photocopy of the Cover
                                   Note with its original before handing over the copy to
                                   the First to Third Respondents and when there is lack
                                   of evidence in this regard, the Appellant ought not to
                                   have been fastened with liability. On the other hand, it
                                   is actually the duty of the police, after thorough
                                   investigation, to have prosecuted the Fourth

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                                                                C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                                   Respondent for not having insured the vehicle and for
                                   having produced false evidence.”


                               (ii)2012 (1) TNMAC 377 (SC) [S.M.Sharmila Vs. National

                     Insurance Co. Ltd., and others]:

                                          “13. Whether the vehicle in question was insured
                                   at the time of accident i.e. on 3rd April, 1998 is a
                                   question of fact. After appreciating the evidence, the
                                   High Court came to the conclusion that the vehicle in
                                   question was not insured on 3rd April, 1998 and the
                                   vehicle in question had been insured for a period
                                   commencing from 3rd March, 1997 to 2nd March,
                                   1998. The High Court has recorded sound reasons for
                                   coming to the said conclusion after carefully
                                   appreciating the evidence adduced before the
                                   Commissioner. Postage book of the Insurance
                                   Company shows that the insurance policy was
                                   dispatched on 25th March, 1997. This clearly denotes
                                   that the policy was taken prior to 25th March, 1997
                                   and, therefore, the High Court rightly believed the
                                   version of the Insurance Company. This fact rules out
                                   the possibility of the vehicle being insured on 3rd
                                   April, 1998 as submitted on behalf of the respondent
                                   workmen and the appellant. Moreover, the cover note
                                   relied upon by the respondent workmen was not found
                                   to be genuine by the High Court. We are, therefore, in
                                   agreement with the view expressed by the High Court.”




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                                                                C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                               (iii)2016 (2) TNMAC 433 (Delhi) [New India Assurance

                     Company and others Vs. R.K.Arora and others]:

                                          “14. The grievance of the insurance company is
                                   that it has been held liable even though it had proved,
                                   to the satisfaction of the tribunal, that the insurance
                                   cover note submitted with the claim petition by the
                                   claimant was a forged and fabricated document. The
                                   submission of the claimant, on the other hand, is that
                                   he had received the copy of the cover note in question
                                   from the investigating police as part of the documents
                                   relating to the chargesheet submitted on conclusion of
                                   the corresponding criminal case registered and
                                   investigated by the said agency and, therefore, he
                                   cannot be held answerable and that against the
                                   backdrop the tribunal has taken an appropriate view.


                                          15. On close scrutiny, this court finds that the
                                   approach of the tribunal was wholly erroneous. By
                                   irrefutable evidence presented during inquiry, it had
                                   been proved that the cover note (Ex.RW3/B) was a
                                   forged and fabricated document. It was shown on the
                                   basis of cogent evidence led that the insurance policy
                                   to which the said cover note purports to relate had
                                   actually been issued in the name of a third person in
                                   respect of a different vehicle. The responsibility to
                                   prove that the cover note of insurance is genuine and
                                   valid, obtained against premium duly paid, was that of
                                   the owner of the vehicle. The said party/respondent
                                   clearly avoided joining the issue, or the inquiry before
                                   the tribunal, and instead opted to suffer the
                                   proceedings ex-parte. It is pertinent to note that the


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                                                                C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

                                   said party, inspite of service even in the proceedings
                                   on the appeal before this court, has chosen not to
                                   appear. The same is the position of the driver in the
                                   appeal before this court.
                                   .......................

18. It does appear that the disciplinary action against Mr. P.S. Bisht, Assistant of the insurance company under whose purported signatures the cover note in question appears to have come into existence was rather slow. During the inquiry before the tribunal, the insurance company proved some material indicating that the said employee had been proceeded against under disciplinary rules. Till the time the proceedings before the tribunal were concluded, the disciplinary inquiry was inchoate. Pursuant to the directions of this court, however, the insurance company has brought on record document dated 13.10.2006 indicating that the disciplinary action stood concluded in due course and Mr. P.S. Bisht having been found guilty of misconduct, penalty of removal from service was imposed against him.”

(iv)2007 (2) TNMAC 188 [Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.,

Thiruvarur vs. Karthikesan and others] :

“3. As regards the insurance coverage, the award of the Tribunal is silent. The Tribunal has wrongly observed under Point No.2 that the appellant is the insurer of the vehicle of the second respondent.

But it has not discussed about the features with regard to the insurance policy in its award. When it is definitely denied by the appellant insurance company that there was no insurance polity, it is incumbent

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upon the claimant to prove that the insurance policy was in force. In this case, those details are miserably absent. That being the case, it is in charitable to fasten the liability on the appellant insurance company.

4. Learned counsel for the appellant cited an unreported decision delivered by a Division Bench of this Court in C.M.A.No.1389 of 1993 dated 28.02.1994, where Their Lordships have held that when the claimant has failed to establish that the insurance policy was in force at the time of accident, no liability could be fixed upon the insurance company and the owner of the vehicle should be held liable. Considering the circumstances of this case, it is to be held that the compensation as fixed by the Tribunal has to be paid by the owner of the tractor viz., the second respondent herein.”

13.Heard the learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent-

Insurance Company as well as the claimants and perused the materials

available on record.

14.From the materials on record, it is seen that the claimants have

filed claim petitions, claiming compensation against the respondents 1

and 2 who are the owner and insurer of the offending vehicle. In support

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of their case, the claimants examined themselves as P.W.1 to P.W.3,

examined Sub-Inspector of Police as P.W.4, one Puthuvainathan as P.W.5

and marked Exs.P1 to P26. According to the claimants, Ex.P9 is a cover

note issued by the 2nd respondent for the offending vehicle for the period

from 09.10.2010 till 08.10.2011. According to the 2nd respondent-

Insurance Company, the offending vehicle was not insured with them at

the time of accident and cover note book No.LUB 0060607 containing

cover note No.0981061 was lost on 22.10.2009, for which complaint was

given to the Police on the same day itself and Police had issued CSR

No.490 of 2009. Subsequently, the Police after investigation, issued

Ex.R3 – certificate stating that the cover note book is not-traceable. To

substantiate this, the 2nd respondent-Insurance Company examined owner

of the vehicle/1st respondent as R.W.1 and examined one Subramanian as

R.W.2.

15.From the materials on record, it is seen that the 1st respondent as

R.W.1, has deposed that he had handed over the cover note receipt for the

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premium policy to the Police. In view of the same, he was treated as

hostile witness and was cross examined by counsel for the 2nd

respondent. The Tribunal verifying Ex.P9 – cover note, found that it was

signed by one Amutha, authorised signatory, an Official of the 2nd

respondent and one D.Yogesh, Agent/service provider.

16.From the materials on record, it is seen that the 2nd respondent

has not examined the said Amutha and D.Yogesh. It is not the case of the

2nd respondent that signature found in the cover note is not the signature

of their official and Amutha is not their employee or D.Yogesh is not

their authorised agent. The claim petitions were filed in February, 2011,

stating that offending vehicle was insured with the 2nd respondent.

During trial, the claimants filed cover note. The owner of the vehicle, 1st

respondent, as R.W.1, has deposed that he handed over the cover note,

premium receipt and original insurance policy to the Police. Inspite of

claim of claimants based on cover note and evidence of 1st respondent,

the 2nd respondent has not given any complaint to the Police against the

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claimants as well as against the 1st respondent. The 2nd respondent ought

to have brought to the notice of the Police about the cover note produced

by the claimants before the Tribunal and ought to have taken steps for

investigation by the Police with regard to genuineness of cover note. The

2nd respondent has not produced copy of the complaint given to the

Police and did not examine the person who gave complaint to the Police.

There is nothing on record to show that any action was taken against the

said Amutha or D.Yogesh, agent/service provider of the 2nd respondent.

17.The learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent referring

to the evidence of P.W.4, R.W.1 and R.W.2, has contended that R.W.1 has

deposed that he had handed over the original policy, premium receipt and

cover note to the Police, but P.W.4, Sub-Inspector of Police has deposed

that policy is not available in their file. P.W.4 also deposed that no

complaint was given to him. From the materials on record, it is seen that

the 2nd respondent-Insurance Company came to know about the claim of

the claimants that vehicle belonging to the 1st respondent was insured

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with them and relied on Ex.P9. The 2nd respondent has not brought to the

notice of the Police about the claim of claimants based on Ex.P9, the

alleged lost cover note and has not taken any steps for investigation of

this matter to find out as to how the claimants have produced the lost

cover note. It is pertinent to note that officer incharge of the branch at the

time the cover note was lost had resigned from service of the 2 nd

respondent. R.W.2 official incharge of the Branch admitted that they have

not taken any action against the official whose signature was found in the

cover note. Further, it is not the case of 2nd respondent-Insurance

Company that the cover note duly signed by the official was lost. They

have not denied that D.Yogesh is their Agent and not given any

complaint against the said D.Yogesh, after coming to know that cover

note, Ex.P9 was issued by him. Considering all the above materials in its

entirety, it is clear that the 2nd respondent has not proved that book

containing cover note, Ex.P9 relied on by the claimants and 1st

respondent for claiming compensation from the 2nd respondent-Insurance

Company was lost.

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18.In all the judgments relied on by the learned counsel appearing

for the 2nd respondent-Insurance Company, it has been held that the

claimants have to prove that the insurance policy was in force at the time

of accident and owner of the vehicle also must prove that vehicle was

insured at the time of accident. In the present case, the claimants

examined 3rd claimant as P.W.1 and 1st claimant as P.W.2 and deposed

that the vehicle was insured with the 2nd respondent at the time of

accident and produced cover note which was marked as Ex.P9. The

owner of the vehicle/1st respondent was examined by the 2nd respondent

as R.W.1, who deposed that he handed over the original policy, premium

receipt and cover note to the Police. He was treated as hostile witness

and counsel for the 2nd respondent cross-examined owner of the vehicle

as R.W.1, but nothing advantageous to the 2nd respondent was elicited

from R.W.1. The claimants examined P.W.4, Sub-Inspector of Police,

who was not an Investigating Officer. He has deposed that policy is not

available in their file. At the same time, he denied the suggestion put by

the counsel for the 2nd respondent that at the time of accident, offending

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vehicle was not insured with the 2nd respondent. The 2nd respondent has

not taken any steps to recall P.W.4 and summon the Investigating Officer

to prove that evidence of R.W.1 is false. From para 18 of the judgment

reported in 2016 (2) TNMAC 433 (Delhi) (referred to above), relied on

by the learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent, it is seen that the

Insurance Company has taken disciplinary proceedings against their

employee, P.S.Bisht, Assistant of the Insurance Company. In the present

case, no disciplinary proceeding was initiated against their official

Amutha who was shown as authorised signatory and whose signature

was found in the cover note as signatory.

19.In para 15 of the very same judgment, it is seen that the owner

of the vehicle remained exparte before the Tribunal as well as in the

appeal. In the present case, owner was examined as R.W.1.

20.In the judgments relied on by the learned counsel appearing for

the 2nd respondent, the stand of the Insurance Company is that the policy

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produced by the claimant is forged and fabricated. In the present case, it

is not the case of the 2nd respondent that cover note was forged and

fabricated one. On the other hand, their case is that book containing

cover note No.LUB 0060607 including cover note No.098011061, relied

on by the claimants was lost. The 2nd respondent has not examined the

official who gave the complaint even after coming to know of the cover

note produced by the claimants. Even after coming to know of the cover

note produced by the claimants before the Tribunal, the 2nd respondent

has not approached the Police to take action against the claimants, owner

of the vehicle and Amutha, authorised signatory and D.Yogesh, their

Agent. Had the 2nd respondent given a complaint to the Police against

D.Yogesh, their authorised Agent, the Police would have investigated the

matter and found out as to how D.Yogesh and Amutha came to

possession of the cover note relied on by the claimants as well as the 1 st

respondent, owner of the vehicle which according to the 2nd respondent

was lost in Vellore.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

21.Further, in a judgment of the Division Bench of this Court

reported in 2018 (2) TNMAC 215 (referred to above), the Insurance

Company has let in evidence to prove that cover note relied on by the

claimants in that case was issued to another Bus bearing Registration

No.TN-04-K-0483, in favour of Saveetha Engineering College, Saveetha

Nagar, Thandalam, Sriperumbudur and not to the offending vehicle in

that case. In that case also, the owner of the vehicle remained exparte. In

view of the above materials, the judgments relied on is not applicable to

the facts of the present case. It is clear that the 2 nd respondent failed to

prove that cover note produced by the claimants in the present case is lost

and was not issued by the 2nd respondent. The Tribunal considering all

the materials, held that the 2nd respondent failed to prove that the cover

note produced by the claimants was not issued by them. There is no error

in the finding of the Tribunal, warranting interference by this Court.

22.For the above reason, these Civil Miscellaneous Appeals are

dismissed and the amounts awarded by the Tribunal at Rs.1,88,000/-,

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

Rs.2,07,500/- and Rs.10,64,000/- together with interest at the rate of

7.5% per annum from the date of petition till the date of deposit are

confirmed. The respondents are jointly and severally directed to deposit

the award amount along with interest and costs, within a period of eight

weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment, to the credit of

M.C.O.P. Nos.511, 510 & 509 of 2011.

(i) On such deposit in M.C.O.P.No.511 of 2011, the award amount

is directed to be deposited in any one of the Nationalized Bank, till the

minor claimant attains majority. Brundadevi, mother of the minor

claimant is permitted to withdraw the accrued interest, once in three

months for the welfare of the minor claimant.

(ii)On such deposit in M.C.O.P.No.510 of 2011, the claimant is

permitted to withdraw the award amount, along with interest and costs,

after adjusting the amount, if any already withdrawn, by filing necessary

applications before the Tribunal.

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

(iii)On such deposit in M.C.O.P.No.509 of 2011, the claimants 1, 3

and 4 are permitted to withdraw their share of the award amount, along

with proportionate interest and costs, as per the ratio of apportionment

fixed by the Tribunal, after adjusting the amount, if any, already

withdrawn, by filing necessary applications before the Tribunal. The

share of the minor 2nd claimant is directed to be deposited in any one of

the Nationalized Bank, till the minor attains majority. The 1st claimant,

mother of the minor 2nd claimant is permitted to withdraw the accrued

interest, once in three months for the welfare of the minor 2nd claimant.

Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petitions are closed. No costs.

24.02.2021 Index : Yes Speaking Order : Yes gsa

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/ C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

V.M.VELUMANI, J.,

gsa

To

1.The II Additional District Judge, (Motor Accident Claims Tribunal), Salem.

2.The Section Officer, V.R Section, High Court, Madras.

Pre-delivery common judgment made in C.M.A.Nos.2339, 2342 and 2344 of 2019

24.02.2021

https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis/

 
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