New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs Narayan Singh 2025 INSC 1178 - Motor Accident Compensation
Motor Accident Compensation - While disposing appeal, SC observed: The main contention of the Insurance Company has been that the insurance policy when verified was for the period of 28.06.2006 to 27.06.2007 and on the date of the accident there was no insurance coverage, and the policy was not in operation. This contention was raised by the Insurance Company only in the review petition. Nothing was produced in the main claim proceedings because of which the Tribunal proceeded on the basis that the insurance policy was valid on the date of the accident. Though the allegation of fraud is levelled but it could not be proved by the insurer- when it was brought on record that upon a verification of the policy, its period did not cover the date when accident occurred, it would subserve the ends of justice if the Insurance Company is allowed to recover 50% of the compensation from the owner and the driver in accordance with law. (Para 5-6)
Case Info
Key Details
- Case name: New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Narayan Singh & Ors.
- Neutral citation: 2025 INSC 1178.
- Coram: K. Vinod Chandran, J.; N.V. Anjaria, J.
- Judgment date: September 26, 2025.
- Case number(s): Civil Appeal No. @; arising out of SLP (C) No. 19976 of 2019.
Statutes / Laws Referred
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: Implicitly governing the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal proceedings and compensation framework.
- Civil appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court invoked via Special Leave Petition under Article 136 of the Constitution (implicit from “SLP (C)”).
- Procedural point: Tribunal’s lack of review power under the Motor Vehicles Act noted by the Tribunal when dismissing review; no specific section number is quoted in the judgment text.
