High Court Kerala High Court

National Insurance Co. Ltd vs Noorudheen.N.V. on 17 September, 2009

Kerala High Court
National Insurance Co. Ltd vs Noorudheen.N.V. on 17 September, 2009
       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

MACA.No. 2816 of 2008()


1. NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD.,
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs



1. NOORUDHEEN.N.V., NALAKATHA HOUSE,
                       ...       Respondent

2. MOHAMMED MANI.M, S/O.KOYAMMY,

                For Petitioner  :SRI.E.M.JOSEPH

                For Respondent  : No Appearance

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

 Dated :17/09/2009

 O R D E R
                     M.N. KRISHNAN, J.
               = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
                M.A.C.A. NO. 2816 OF 2008
             = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
        Dated this the 17h day of September, 2009.

                      J U D G M E N T

This appeal is preferred by the insurance company

against the award affixing the liability on the insurance

company to deposit the amount. The insurance company

would contend that the claimant was a pillion rider and

therefore he is not covered by the policy following the dictum

laid down in Tilak Singh’s case [United India Insurance

Co. Ltd. v. Tilak Singh)2006 (2) KLT 884(SC). The

Tribunal found that the policy issued is not an act only policy

but it is a comprehensive policy. The Tribunal also found

that as per the policy conditions in Ext.B2 the insurance

company has undertaken to indemnify the first respondent,

liability on account of the death or bodily injury to any

person including the person conveyed in or on the motor

vehicle provided such person is not carried for hire or

reward. It is seen very clear from paragraph 11 of the

award. The very same provision had come up in

M.A.C.A. 2816 OF 2008
-:2:-

interpretation before the Division Bench of this Court

reported in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Hydrose

(2008 (3) KHC 522). This Court held that when the terms

and conditions of the policy cover the risk of such person

then the collection of additional premium is not necessary for

additional coverage. So in the light of the clause in the

condition and that the policy being a comprehensive policy it

has to be stated that the insurance company is bound to

indemnify the owner. Therefore the appeal lacks merit and

the same is dismissed.

M.N. KRISHNAN, JUDGE.

ul/-