Cholamandalam Ms General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mohd Imran & Ors.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 – Section 164 – No-fault liability
Case brief
What is this about?
Delhi High Court, MAC.APP. 733/2025, decided 17.11.2025 by Prateek Jalan, J. Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mohd Imran & Ors. Insurer's appeal against Motor Accident Claims Tribunal award dated 08.07.2025 (MACT No. 735/2024, Md. Imran v. Akash & Ors.) granting Rs.2,50,000/- under Section 164 MV Act to a pillion rider struck from behind by insured truck DL-1LAE-9546 on 08.04.2023. Grounds: driver respondent No. 2 allegedly drunk and charge-sheeted under Section 185 MV Act; liability should rest on driver/owner. Held: Section 164 imposes no-fault liability, no proof of negligence required; no Blood Alcohol Content report supported the intoxication plea (only a Medico-Legal Certificate observation); award upheld; appeal dismissed; Rs. 25,000/- statutory deposit refundable. Keywords: no-fault liability, Section 164 MV Act, Section 185 MV Act, pillion rider, rear-end collision, intoxication defence, medico-legal certificate, insurance company liability.