Branch Manager National Insurance Company Limited v. Smt. Parvati
Case brief
What is this about?
Insurer appeals u/S.30 Employee's Compensation Act 1923 against compensation awards by Commissioner, Labour Court, Bastar at Jagdalpur (dated 21.12.2023) for death of Driver Chhote Lal Bedta and Helper Chandrashekhar Sodhi during employment under Bomada Ram Kawasi; accident occurred while filling water in rear tyre leading to tyre burst; plea of willful disobedience/disregard of safety u/S.3(1)(b)(ii)(iii) EC Act failed as no Expert examined and no clear negligence established; insurer's witness admitted unawareness that air is filled along with water in tractor-dozer operation; held no substantial question of law; both MAC appeals dismissed by Justice Deepak Kumar Tiwari, High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur, order dated 11/12/2025 (neutral citation 2025:CGHC:60214).
What did the court decide?
The Insurance Company examined no Expert and established no clear negligence on the part of the employees concerned; its examining officer had admitted he was not aware that, during operation of the tractor with the dozer attached, air is also filled along with the water.