Allowed

The Manager v. Revathi.O.P

Madras HC29 Aug 2024CMA/1233/2024

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court allowed an insurer's appeal against an award of compensation, holding that a statutory 'Act Policy' does not cover liability for a pillion rider's death. The court upheld the compensation quantum but directed the vehicle owner to pay, relieving the insurer of liability.

What did the court decide?

Appeal allowed; insurer discharged from liability; vehicle owner directed to pay compensation of Rs. 19,60,000/- with interest.

The Manager Vs Revathi.O.P — Insurance | Madras HC (2024)

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS

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DATED: 29.08.2024

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CORAM:

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THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE R. HEMALATHA

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C.M.A.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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The Manager, The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., 1^st Floor, Kalathil Building, Opp : Mahe Church Main Road, Mahe, Pin – 673 310. also at Third Party Claims Hub, No.232, NSC Bose Road, Chennai – 600 001.

... Appellants

vs.

1.Revathi

2.Pradeep.C

3.Aswanth C.Pradeep (Minor) (Minor represented by his father and guardian Pradeep.C)

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4.Alock P.K

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5.PA.Valsaraj ... Respondents

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PRAYER: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against the Award dated 30.01.2023 in M.C.O.P.11 of 2022 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Subordinate Judge, Mahe.

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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For Appellant : Mr.R.Rajesh

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For RR1 to 3 : Mr.H.Shabeer Ali for M/s.Sarvabhauman Associates R5 : No appearance

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J U D G M E N T

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The appellant, the New India Assurance Company Limited is the third respondent in M.C.O.P. 11 of 2022. The respondents 1 to 3 filed a claim petition in M.C.O.P. 11 of 2022 under Section 166 (1) of the Motor Vehicles Act and r/w.240 of Pondicherry Motor Vehicles Act before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Mahe, seeking compensation of Rs.41,10,000/- for the death of one Prejidha (daughter of first respondent, wife of second respondent and mother of third respondent) in a road accident that took place on 15.01.2022.

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The brief case of the claimants is as follows :

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On 15.01.2022, Prejidha (deceased) was travelling as a Pillion

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rider in a two wheeler bearing Registration number PY-03-4920 on Mahe Maithan. When she was nearing Mahe Jen Aushathi the rider of the two

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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wheeler / fourth respondent suddenly applied brake to avoid hitting a cat which ran across the road, as a result of which, Prejidha was thrown out and sustained multiple injuries all over her body. She was immediately rushed to the General Hospital, Mahe from where she was referred to Medical College Hospital, Calicut. However, she succumbed to injuries.

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According to the claimants, the accident took place due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the two wheeler bearing Registration number PY-03-4920 and that since the said vehicle was insured with the present appellant, the New India Assurance Company Limited, the owner of the two wheeler (fourth respondent) and the insurer are jointly and severally liable to pay compensation to t hem.

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In the Tribunal, the owner of the vehicle and the fifth respondent remained absent and were set exparte . The appellant/Insurance Company resisted the claim petition on all grounds available to the insurer under Section 170 of the Motor vehicles Act.

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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The Tribunal, after analysing the evidence on record,

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fastened negligence on the part of the rider of the two wheeler and awarded compensation of Rs.19,60,000/- to the claimants together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of petition till the date of realisation, vide its orders dated 30.01.2023.

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Questioning the liability to pay compensation, the present

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appeal is filed by the appellant / the New India Assurance Company Limited.

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Heard Mr.R.Rajesh, learned counsel for the appellant and Mr.H.Shabeer Ali, learned counsel for the respondents 1 to 3.

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Mr.R.Rajesh, learned counsel for the appellant would

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contend that since the Insurance Company had issued only an 'Act Policy', the pillion rider of the two wheeler bearing Registration Number PY-034920 is not entitled to get any compensation from the Insurance Company

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and that the Tribunal had not gone into this aspect even though the

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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Insurance Policy was marked as Ex.R1. He also relied on the decision of the Division Bench of this Court in M/s.New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Vrs Meenakshi and others in CMA No.3658 of 2014, dated 24.03.2023

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and contended that the Act Policy cannot cover a third party risk of a pillion rider in a two wheeler. He, therefore prayed for setting aside the order of the Tribunal.

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A perusal of the FIR (Ex.P1) shows that the rider of the two wheeler bearing Registration Number PY-03-4920 in which the deceased travelled as a pillion rider, was the wrong doer.

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It is pertinent to point out that the Tribunal while deciding the claim petition under Motor vehicles Act should examine the terms of Policy, produced by the Insurer and in the event of denial of liability, the finding should be recorded with regard to the nature of Policy, as to whether it was 'Act Policy' or 'Package Policy'.

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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In the instant case, the Tribunal has not given any definite

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finding in this regard though the Insurance company has taken a specific plea that they are not liable to pay compensation to the claimant since the Policy of the Insurance is only an Act Policy.

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Under the Indian Motor Tariff (IMT), different types of policies are issued and they are contained in IMT section 7 (page 107 of IMT). They are

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(a) Standard form for liability only policy.

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(b)Standard form for private car package policy.

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(d)Standard form for commercial vehicles package

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policy.

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(e) Standard form for motor trade package policy and the

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like. Each policy is split into different sections to deal

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with different contingencies and the parties bind

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themselves to the terms of the clause contained in

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each section of the policy. For example, the package

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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policy for a private car which is applicable to the

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present case contains:-

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Section I Loss of or damage to the vehicle insured, Section II Liability to third parties, Section III Personal accident cover for owner-driver there are other conditions and limits. In this appeal, we are concerned with the liability of the insurance company in respect of a gratuitous passengers/occupants in a private vehicle (car).

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The first policy in Section 6 of IMT is liability only policy or an act only policy. In that the liability to third parties is set out as hereunder:-

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LIABILITY TO THIRD PARTIES:

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i] Subject to the Limit of liability as laid down in

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the schedule hereto, the Company will indemnify the insured in the event of accident caused by or arising out of the use of

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the Motor Vehicle anywhere in India against all sums including claimant's costs and expenses which the insured shall become legally liable to pay in respect of death of or bodily injury to any person so far as it is necessary to meet the requirements of the Motor Vehicles Act.

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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ii] damage to property other than property

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belonging to the insured or held in trust or in the custody of control of the insured up to the limit specified in the schedule (emphasis supplied).

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In the instant case, the specific contention of the insurance

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company is that the Insurance Policy is an “Act policy” and therefore, the same would not cover the pillion rider of a two-wheeler. A perusal of the insurance policy clearly shows that it is only an Act policy. Only a comprehensive/package policy would cover the liability of the inmates of the car or a pillion rider in a scooter and hence the insurance company is not liable to pay compensation.

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14. In the decision in M /s.New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Vs Meenakshi and others in CMA No.3658 of 2014, dated 24.03.2023 a Division bench of this Court had also held that the 'Act Policy' cannot cover a third party risk of an inmates of the Car or a Pillion rider of the Scooter. The relevant portion of the said decision is extracted hereunder:

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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"(32) In Bhagyalakshmi and Others V. United Insurance Company Limited and Another reported in 2009 [7] SCC 148, the Hon'ble Supreme Court noticed conflicting views on the question as to whether gratuitous passengers travelling in a private car or pillion riders carried on two wheelers are automatically covered under a package policy. The Hon'ble Supreme Court opined that the matter requires consideration by a Larger Bench. However, there is no divergent view as regards a case which is similar to the present case where the policy is a statutory policy or an Act only Policy. The uniform view expressed in all other judgments is that the gratuitous passenger in a private vehicle would not be covered for a bodily injury or death under the policy insurance which is an Act Policy. In respect of a package policy for private cars, the Hon'ble Supreme Court expressed its view that the matter requires consideration by a Larger Bench. The scope of reference to a Larger Bench was in fact considered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in National Insurance Company Limited V. Balakrishnan and Another reported in 2013 [1] SCC 731 , wherein the Hon'ble Supreme Court has held as follows:-

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''20. Thus, it is quite vivid that the Bench in Bhagyalakshmi case [(2009) 7 SCC 148 : (2009)

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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3 SCC (Civ) 87 : (2009) 3 SCC (Cri) 321] had made a distinction between the “Act policy” and “comprehensive policy/package policy”. We respectfully concur with the said distinction. The crux of the matter is what would be the liability of the insurer if the policy is a “comprehensive/package policy”. We are absolutely conscious that the matter has been referred to a larger Bench, but, as is evident, the Bench has also observed that it would depend upon the view of the Tariff Advisory Committee pertaining to enforcement of its decision to cover the liability of an occupant in a vehicle in a “comprehensive/package policy” regard being had to the contract of insurance.''

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(33)The position reiterated by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in various other decisions in cases of Act Policy is also reiterated in the case of Balakrishnan's case [cited supra] , to the effect that an Act Policy cannot cover a third party risk of an occupant in a car. "

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15. The Insurance Company has not questioned the quantum of

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compensation in this appeal. Therefore, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal is upheld. However, the owner of the two wheeler bearing

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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Registration Number PY-03-4920 is liable to pay the entire compensation amount to the claimants. The Insurance Company can withdraw the compensation amount, if any, deposited by them in the Court.

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In the result,

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i. The Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is allowed. No costs.

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Consequently, the connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed.

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ii. The quantum of compensation awarded by the Tribunal is upheld.

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iii. The fourth respondent, the owner of the two wheeler is directed to deposit the entire compensation amount of Rs.19,60,000/- together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of claim petition till the date of realisation, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order / uploading of this Order to the credit of M.C.O.P.11 of 2022 on the file of the Motor

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Accident Claims Tribunal, Subordinate Judge, Mahe.

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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iv. On such deposit being made, the respondents 1 to 3 / claimants are

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at liberty to withdraw the same as per the orders passed by the Tribunal after following due process of law. The ratio of apportionment made by the Tribunal shall be kept intact.

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28.08.2024

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Index : Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation : Yes / No mtl

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1.The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Subordinate Judge, Mahe.

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2.The Section Officer, VR Section, Madras High Court, Chennai.

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

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CMA.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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R.HEMALATHA, J. mtl

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C.M.A.No.1233 of 2024 and C.M.P.No.11012 of 2024

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29.08.2024

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The Manager v. Revathi.O.P

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

The Manager v. Revathi.O.P

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

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Issues for consideration

Cases cited

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