High Court Kerala High Court

The Oriental Insurance Co. … vs Thomas N.L. on 18 November, 2009

Kerala High Court
The Oriental Insurance Co. … vs Thomas N.L. on 18 November, 2009
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

MACA.No. 2792 of 2009()


1. THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LIMITED
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs



1. THOMAS N.L., S/O. N.J.LONAPPAN
                       ...       Respondent

2. JOY, S/O. LONAPPAN, MAPPRANATHUKKARAN

3. A.A.VARGHESE, ACHANDY HOUSE,

                For Petitioner  :SRI.MATHEWS JACOB (SR.)

                For Respondent  :SRI.SHEJI P.ABRAHAM

The Hon'ble MR. Justice M.N.KRISHNAN

 Dated :18/11/2009

 O R D E R
                     M.N. KRISHNAN, J.
              = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
                M.A.C.A. NO. 2792 OF 2009
            = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
      Dated this the 18th day of November, 2009.

                      J U D G M E N T

This appeal is preferred against the award of the Motor

Accidents Claims Tribunal, Ottappalam in O.P.(MV)1077/05.

The claimant, a pillion rider in a two wheeler sustained

injuries in a road accident and the Tribunal awarded him a

compensation of Rs.74,050/- and directed the insurance

company to pay the amount. Aggrieved by the said decision

the insurance company has come up in appeal.

2. Learned counsel for the insurance company very

strongly submits before me that the Tribunal has entered

into an erroneous finding without understanding the

implications of the policy produced in the case. The policy is

an an Act only policy where there is a coverage for personal

accident and some amount is paid for the same and there is

M.A.C.A. 2792 OF 2009
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also an entry as extra loading . It has to be understood that

extra load is not some thing which is connected with the

coverage of a person in a policy. Similarly personal accident

coverage envisages a situation where the death results or a

permanent disability as per the endorsement in the policy

conditions takes place. Otherwise it is only a simple Act only

policy which covers the risk of only third parties. There was

a duty cast upon the counsel who appeared for the insurance

company before the Court below to explain those technical

terms to the Tribunal for due consideration. Therefore the

matter requires reconsideration at the hands of the Tribunal

and the award under challenge is liable to be set aside so far

as it relates to the interse liability. In the result MACA is

partly allowed and the award so far as it relates to the

liability of the insurance company is set aside and the matter

is remitted back to the Tribunal for fresh consideration by

permitting all concerned to produce documentary as well as

oral evidence as the case may be and then dispose of the

matter in accordance with law. Since the owner of the

vehicle has not entered appearance before this Court and as

M.A.C.A. 2792 OF 2009
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it will directly affect him the insurance company is directed to

take out notice to the owner after he enters appearance

before the Tribunal. Parties are directed to appear before

the Tribunal on 17/12/09.

M.N. KRISHNAN, JUDGE.

ul/-