Manager, the Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., v. Smt. Radhika Bai Kosle
Motor Accidents – Death case – Insurer's liability despite post-accident cancellation of policy
Case brief
What is this about?
Chhattisgarh High Court, Bilaspur, 19.06.2025, Parth Prateem Sahu J. - MAC No. 720 of 2019 (Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Radhika Bai Kosle & ors.) decided with MAC No. 1128 of 2019 (claimants' enhancement appeal), arising from award dated 06.12.2018 of Fifth Additional MACT, Raipur in Claim Case No. 292/2015 (death of Bholaram Kosle on 24.01.2015 after tractor-trolley accident of 23.01.2015 at village Sakri, PS Kharora, District Raipur; Crime No. 21/15, Sections 279/337/304A IPC). Core dispute: insurer pleaded premium deposited only on 06.02.2015 (post-accident), policy cancelled w.e.f. 21.01.2015, premium Rs. 5,162/- refunded 12.06.2015, Section 64VB Insurance Act invoked, Kothai 2003 ACJ 991 relied. Court: cover note No. 19110083178 dated 20.01.2015 on policy Ext. D-5 plus Administrative Officer's testimony (cover note issues on receipt of premium by agent/broker) show premium received 20.01.2015, pre-accident; Section 145 MV Act treats cover note as certificate of insurance, uncancelled; policy issued within 30 days thereof; insured paying agent in time protected; risk assumed from 20.01.2015; Inderjit Kaur (1998) 1 SCC 371 and Abhaysing Waghela (2008) 9 SCC 133 relied; Kothai distinguished; insurer's appeal dismissed. Enhancement: notional income Rs. 5,517/- p.m. (Minimum Wages Act, Raipur Zone-A), +25% prospects (Pranay Sethi), 1/4 deduction, multiplier 14 (Sarla Verma), Magma consortium heads (spousal 40,000; parental 40,000 each), funeral 15,000, estate 15,000, medical 57,299; total Rs. 11,16,223/- (operative para Rs. 11,16,233/-) vs Rs. 8,07,299/-; 9% simple interest from filing of claim till realisation; claim appeal allowed in part.