Uttar Pradesh State
Road Transport Corporation Vs. Kulsum & Ors.
J U D G M E N T
Deepak Verma, J.
1.
Leave
granted.
2.
Since
common questions of law and facts are involved in this batch of appeals, six of
which have been filed by Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation,
1.
(hereinafter
referred to as 'Corporation'), and one has been preferred by Insurance Company,
against the identical judgments and orders passed by High Court of Allahabad,
it is proposed to dispose of the same by this common judgment. For the sake of brevity
and convenience, facts of appeal arising out of S.L.P.(C)No.1969 of 2008 have been
taken into consideration.
2.
The
Appellant herein (UPSRTC) had challenged the award passed by Motor Accident Claims
Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as the 'MACT'), Barabanki in claim case therein,
holding the Appellant - Corporation along with Ajai Vishen and Narottam, owner and
driver of the mini bus, respectively, liable to pay compensation to the claimants.
3.
In
appeal before the High Court of Allahabad, it awarded compensation to the
claimants vide impugned judgment and order dated 12.04.2007, recording the findings
against the Appellant. The question of law that arises for consideration in the
instant and connected appeals is formulated as under:
4.
If
insured vehicle (in this case a mini bus) is plying under an Agreement of Contract
with the Corporation, on the route as per permit granted in favour of the Corporation,
in case of an accident, whether the Insurance Company would be liable to pay
compensation or would it be the responsibility of the Corporation or the owner?
5.
Since
it is a vexed question, with no unanimity in the judgments of various High Courts
and as it has not been considered directly so far by this Court, we deem it fit
and appropriate to do so.
6.
Thumbnail
sketch of the facts is mentioned herein below:- Ajai Vishen, the owner of mini bus,
bearing Registration No. UP 32T/7344 entered into an Agreement of Contract with
the Corporation on 07.08.1997 for allowing it to ply mini bus, as per the permit
issued in favour of Corporation, by the concerned Road Transport Office (R.T.O.).
On account of State amendment incorporated in Section 103 of the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1988 (hereinafter called 'the Act') vide Uttar Pradesh Amendment Act 5 of 1993;
the Corporation is vested with right to take the vehicles on hire as per the contract
and to ply the same on the routes as per the permit granted to it. According to
the terms and conditions of the
Agreement, the mini
bus was to be plied by the Corporation, on the routes as per the permit issued by
R.T.O. in its favour. Except for the services of the driver, which were to be provided
by the owner, all other rights of owner were to be exercised by the Corporation
only. The conductor was to be an employee of the Corporation, and he was authorised
and entitled to collect money after issuing tickets to the passengers and had the
duty to perform all the incidental and connected activities as a conductor on behalf
of the Corporation. The collection so made was to be deposited with the
Corporation.
7.
While
the mini bus was running on the specified route on 13.06.1998, at about 9.00 a.m.,
Vijay Pal Singh (deceased), along with his minor children namely, Km. Rupa (deceased),
Rohit (deceased) and Km. Laxmi (deceased), was present near Gumti shop of a
Barber at the side of National Highway, near Swastic Biscuit Factory, Police Chauki
Mohammadpur, Post Safedabad, District Barabanki.
8.
The
Mini Bus, plying under the contract of the Corporation, driven by Narottam, suddenly
rammed into the Gumti causing injuries to Vijay Pal, his children and also to
the Barber- Majeed, owner of the Gumti shop. On account of severe bodily
injuries suffered by them, they died.
9.
Smt.
Lallan Devi, w/o deceased Vijay Pal Singh and mother of the three deceased children
filed four claim petitions claiming compensation. Smt. Kulsum w/o deceased Majeed,
filed a separate claim petition for awarding compensation for death of Majeed in
the said accident before the aforesaid M.A.C.T.
10.
Although,
all the above five claim petitions were allowed and different amounts of compensation
were awarded by the Tribunal alongwith interest @ 12% per annum but, relying on
a judgment of this Court in the case of Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation
Versus Kailash Nath Kothari and others reported in, the liability of payment
has been fastened on the Corporation as, at the time of accident, the offending
vehicle, i.e., the mini bus was being run by it under the contract.
11.
Feeling
aggrieved by the awards of the Tribunal, Corporation preferred appeals and the owner
of the bus, Ajai Vishan, filed cross objection against the finding on issue No.
4 recorded by the Tribunal, holding therein that Insurance Company was not liable
to make payment and fastening the liability on the owner also, on account of alleged
breach of Insurance Policy. However, it had a caveat that liability of the owner
would arise only in case the Corporation fails to make the payment. The National
Insurance Company Ltd., with which admittedly the said bus was insured for the relevant
period, has been exonerated from payment of any compensation. Hence, the appeals.
12.
We
have accordingly heard Ms. Garima Prashad, Mr. Laxmibai Leitanthem, Mr. Pradeep
Kumar, and Mr. Shadab Khan, learned counsel for Appellant, Mr. Kishore Rawat, learned
counsel for the Respondent Insurance Company and Mr. J.P. Dhanda, Mr. Rajeev
Mishra for Ajai Vishen, owner of the Mini Bus and perused the records.
13.
However,
before we proceed to decide the question formulated hereinabove, it is necessary
to look into some of the provisions of the Act. Section 2 (30) of the Act defines
the `owner': "Owner" means a person in whose name a motor vehicle stands
registered, and where such person is a minor, the guardian of such minor, and in
relation to a motor vehicle which is the subject of a hire-purchase agreement, or
an agreement of lease or an agreement of hypothecation, the person in possession
of the vehicle under that agreement."
14.
Section
103 of the Act deals with the provision of issue of permits to State Transport
Undertakings. However, vide Uttar Pradesh Amendment Act 5 of 1993, following sub-Section
(1A) was inserted after sub-section (1) thereof, w.e.f. 16.1.1993 reproduced
here in below: "(1A) It shall be lawful for a State transport undertaking to
operate on any route as stage carriage, under any permit issued there for to
such undertaking under sub-section (1), any vehicle placed at the disposal and under
the control of such undertaking by the owner of such vehicle under any arrangement
entered into between such owner and the undertaking for the use of the said vehicle
by the undertaking."
15.
By
virtue of the aforesaid incorporated sub-section (1A) to Section 103 of the Act,
the Corporation became entitled to hire any vehicle which could be plied on any
route for which permit had been issued by the Transport Authority in its
favour.
16.
Chapter
XI of the Act deals with the provisions of insurance of Motor Vehicles against third
party risks. Relevant Portions of sections 146 and 147 thereof are reproduced
herein below: "146. Necessity for insurance against third party risk.-(1) No
person shall use, except as a passenger, or cause or allow any other person to use,
a motor vehicle in a public place, unless there is in force in relation to the use
of the vehicle by that person or that other person, as the case may be, a policy
of insurance complying with the requirements of this Chapter : ... ...
..." 147. Requirement of policies and limits of liability. –
(1) In order to comply
with the requirements of this Chapter, a policy of insurance must be a policy which
- (a) is issued by a person who is an authorised insurer; and (b) insures the person
or classes of persons specified in the policy to the extent specified in sub -
section (2) - (i)against any liability which may be incurred by him in respect of
the death of or bodily injury to any person, including owner of the goods or his
authorised representative carried in the vehicle or damage to any property of a
third party caused by or arising out of the use of the vehicle in a public
place; (ii)against the death of or bodily injury to any passenger of a public service
vehicle caused by or arising out of the use of the vehicle in a public place; Provided
that a policy shall not be required - (i)...... (ii)to cover any contractual
liability. Explanation. -
For the removal of doubts,
it is hereby declared that the death of or bodily injury to any person or damage
to any property of a third party shall be deemed to have been caused by or to
have arisen out of, the use of a vehicle in a public place notwithstanding that
the person who is dead or injured or the property which is damaged was not in a
public place at the time of the accident, if the act or omission which led to the
accident occurred in a public place. (2)Subject to the proviso to sub- section (1),
a policy of insurance referred to in sub-section (1), shall cover any liability
incurred in respect of any accident, up to the following limits, namely :-
(a) save as provided in
clause (b), the amount of liability incurred. (b) in respect of damage to any
property of a third party, a limit of rupees six thousand : ... ... ..."
17.
Section
149 of the Act casts a duty on the insurer to satisfy the judgment and award against
persons insured in respect of third party risks. Section 157 of the Act deals with
Transfer of Certificate of Insurance, reproduced hereinbelow: "157. Transfer
of certificate of insurance.- (1) Where a person in whose favour the certificate
of insurance has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter transfers
to another person the ownership of the motor vehicle in respect of which such insurance
was taken together with the policy of insurance relating thereto, the certificate
of insurance and the policy described in the certificate shall be deemed to
have been transferred in favour of the person to whom the motor vehicle is transferred
with effect from the date of its transfer. [Explanation. –
For the removal of doubts,
it is hereby declared that such deemed transfer shall include transfer of rights
and liabilities of the said certificate of insurance and policy of insurance.] (2)The
transferee shall apply within fourteen days from the date of transfer in the prescribed
form to the insurer for making necessary changes in regard to the fact of transfer
in the certificate of insurance and the policy described in the certificate in his
favour and the insurer shall make the necessary changes in the certificate and the
policy of insurance in regard to the transfer of insurance."
18.
It
is relevant to mention here that under Section 196 of the Act, Insurance of vehicle
is mandatory and compulsory, otherwise it exposes the driver and owner to criminal
liability.
19.
In
the light of the aforesaid provisions of the Act, we shall now consider various
judgments of this Court and High Courts to reach our conclusion.
20.
Even
though several judgments have been cited by both sides, but the question which arises
in the instant case is unique in nature and we would answer the same taking cue
and help of the various judgments of this Court and High Courts.
21.
In
the matter of Kailash Nath Kothari and others (supra), a question had arisen with
regard to the liability of Insurance Company, where the bus plied as per the contract
with Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation. However, the said case was dealing
with earlier Motor Vehicle Act of 1939. Taking into consideration the
definition of `owner' as it existed then in Section 2 (19) of the old Act, it
has been held in para 17 as under: "17. The definition of owner under
Section 2(19) of the Act is not exhaustive. It has, therefore to be construed,
in a wider sense, in the facts and circumstances of a given case. The expression
owner must include, in a given case, the person who has the actual possession and
control of the vehicle and under whose directions and commands the driver is obliged
to operate the bus.
To confine the meaning
of "owner" to the registered owner only would in a case where the vehicle
is in the actual possession and control of the hirer not be proper for the
purpose of fastening of liability in case of an accident. The liability of the "owner"
is vicarious for the tort committed by its employee during the course of his employment
and it would be a question of fact in each case as to on whom can vicarious liability
be fastened in the case of an accident. In this case, Shri Sanjay Kumar, the
owner of the bus could not ply the bus on the particular route for which he had
no permit and he in fact was not plying the bus on that route. The services of the
driver were transferred along with complete "control" to RSRTC, under
whose directions, instructions and command the driver was to ply or not to ply the
ill-fated bus on the fateful day.
The passengers were being
carried by RSRTC on receiving fare from them. Shri Sanjay Kumar was therefore
not concerned with the passengers travelling in that bus on the particular route
on payment of fare to RSRTC. Driver of the bus, even though an employee of the
owner, was at the relevant time performing his duties under the order and command
of the conductor of RSRTC for operation of the bus. So far as the passengers of
the ill-fated bus are concerned, their privity of contract was only with the
RSRTC to whom they had paid the fare for travelling in that bus and their safety
therefore became the responsibility of the RSRTC while travelling in the bus.
They had no privity of
contract with Shri Sanjay Kumar, the owner of the bus at all. Had it been a case
only of transfer of services of the driver and not of transfer of control of
the driver from the owner to RSRTC, the matter may have been somewhat different.
But on facts in this case and in view of Conditions 4 to 7 of agreement, (supra),
the RSRTC must be held to be vicariously liable for the tort committed by the driver
while plying the bus under contract of the RSRTC. The general proposition of law
and the presumption arising therefrom that an employer, that is the person who has
the right to hire and fire the employee, is generally responsible vicariously for
the tort committed by the employee concerned during the course of his employment
an within the scope of his authority, is a rebuttable presumption."
22.
In
the light of the aforesaid judgment, learned counsel for Respondent Insurance Company,
Mr. Kishore Rawat, strenuously contended before us that the question has already
been answered against the Appellant - Corporation, thus, nothing survives in this
and the connected appeals filed by the Corporation.
23.
In
our considered opinion, in the light of drastic and distinct changes incorporated
in the definition of `owner' in the old Act and the present Act, Kailash Nath's
case (supra) has no application to the facts of this case.
24.
However,
we were unable to persuade ourselves with the specific question which arose in
this and connected appeals as the question projected in these appeals was neither
directly nor substantially in issue, in Kailash Nath's case (supra). Thus, reference
to the same may not be of much help to us. Admittedly, in the said case, this Court
was dealing with regard to earlier definition of owner as found in Section 2
(19) of the old Act.
25.
Section
2 (19) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 is reproduced hereinbelow: "2(19) `owner'
means, where the person in possession of a motor vehicle is a minor, the
guardian of such minor, and in relation to a motor vehicle which is the subject
of a hire-purchase agreement, the person in possession of the vehicle under that
Agreement."
26.
Critical
examination of both the definitions of the `owner', would show that it
underwent a drastic change in the Act of 1988, already reproduced hereinabove.
27.
In
our considered opinion, in the light of the distinct changes incorporated in the
definition of `owner' in the old Act and present Act, Kailash Nath Kothari's case
shall have no application to the facts of this case.
28.
Before
we proceed further to decide the aforesaid question of law, it is necessary to refer
to some of the relevant clauses in the Agreement entered into between the
Appellant and the owner of the vehicle on 07.08.1997. In the said Agreement,
the Appellant has been referred to as the `First Party' and owner Ajay Vishen has
been referred to as 'Second Party'. Relevant clauses 2.1, 3.2, 4.2, 4.3 and 4.4
of Annexure P-2 are reproduced herein below: "
2.1 The Second Party
shall be liable and responsible to discharge all the legal liabilities under the
Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 or any other Acts, Registration, payment of taxes of the
vehicle, Comprehensive Insurance and all such liabilities as may be fixed from time
to time by any law on the owner of vehicle and the First Party shall be deemed to
have no liability whatsoever.
3.2 The driver shall
remain and shall be deemed to be the employee of Second Party. That driver shall
not under any circumstances be treated as employee of First Party. The Second Party
shall be fully liable to procure driving licence, etc. and to meet all other legal
requirements under Motor Vehicle Act 1988 or any other Act.
4.2 The driver of the
bus under contract will drive the bus carefully. He shall stop the bus at every
designated spot to enable passenger to board/get down from the bus and shall get
in-out entries of the bus recorded wherever required. Driver of Bus shall ensure
that tickets are issued to all the passengers and only after that would drive
the bus at its next destination.
4.3 Bus driver shall
not himself sell the tickets but this restriction shall not be applicable in the
circumstances mentioned in clause-31 of the agreement.
4.4 The conductor appointed
and deputed by the First Party shall have total responsibility for issuing tickets
to the passengers, receiving fare and completing various papers/ records in
this regard. The First Party shall appoint/depute the conductors."
29.
Critical
examination thereof would show that the Appellant and the owner had
specifically agreed that the vehicle will be insured and a driver would be
provided by owner of the vehicle but overall control, not only on the vehicle but
also on the driver, would be that of the Corporation. Thus, the vehicle was given
on hire by the owner of the vehicle together with its existing and running
insurance policy. In view of the aforesaid terms and conditions, the Insurance Company
cannot escape its liability to pay the amount of compensation.
There is no denial of
the fact by the insurance company that at the relevant point of time the vehicle
in question was insured with it and the policy was very much in force and in existence.
It is also not the case of the insurance company that the driver of the vehicle
was not holding a valid driving licence to drive the vehicle. The Tribunal has
also held that the driver had a valid driving licence at the time of accident. It
has also not been contended by it that there has been violation of the terms and
conditions of the policy or that the driver was not entitled to drive the said
vehicle.
30.
During
the course of hearing, we had asked the following pertinent questions to Mr. Kishore
Rawat, learned counsel for the Insurance Company:
i.
Since
the Insurance Company had admittedly received the amount of premium for the period
when the mini bus had met with the accident then why should it not be made liable
to make the payment of compensation? According to him, in normal circumstances,
if the said vehicle would not have been attached with the Corporation for being
plied by it on the route of permit granted to it, then of course, the Insurance
Company would have no option but to make the payment.
ii.
We
had also enquired if there exists different tariffs of premium for the vehicle insured
at the instance of owner or for the vehicle which is being attached with the
Corporation for being plied by it. He categorically admitted that there is no
such difference in the tariff in either of the aforesaid situation and it is
same for both.
iii.
We
further enquired from him that if an intimation would have been given to the
Insurance Company that the vehicle is being attached with the Corporation then what
would have been the position? He again informed us that in that case, the Insurance
Company would have met the liability of compensation, in case of an accident.
iv.
(iv)
Lastly, we enquired from him as to under which provision of the Act or the Rule,
any statutory duty or otherwise is cast on the owner to seek permission or give
an intimation to the Insurance Company in case the vehicle is attached with the
Corporation for being plied by it? He candidly conceded that there is neither any
statutory duty cast on the owner under the Act or under any Rules to seek permission
from the Insurance Company nor it is under any of the orders issued by the
Company. According to him, it would have been desirable for the insured to have
informed about such a contract.
31.
Thus,
in the light of the aforesaid, it is clear that Insurance Company is trying to evade
its liability on flimsy grounds or under misconception of law.
32.
On
account of the aforesaid discussions, it is crystal clear that actual possession
of the vehicle was with the Corporation. The vehicle, driver and the conductor were
under the direct control and supervision of the Corporation.
33.
Black's
Law Dictionary defines "Vicarious Liability" as follows: "Liability
that a supervisory party (such as an employer) bears for the actionable conduct
of a subordinate or associate (such as an employee) because of the relationship
between the two parties". (Page 927, Black's Law Dictionary, 7th
Edition)."
34.
So,
through the above definition, it can be inferred that the person supervising the
driver through the principle of Respondeat Superior should pay for the damages
of the victim.
35.
In
the instant case, the driver was employed by Ajay Vishen, the owner of the bus
but evidently through Clause 4.4. of the Agreement, reproduced hereinabove,
driver was supposed to drive the bus under the instructions of conductor who
was appointed by the Corporation. The said driver was also bound by all orders of
the Corporation. Thus, it can safely be inferred that effective control and
command of the bus was that of the Appellant.
36.
Thus,
for all practical purposes, for the relevant period, the Corporation had become
the owner of the vehicle for the specific period. If the Corporation had become
the owner even for the specific period and the vehicle having been insured at the
instance of original owner, it will be deemed that the vehicle was transferred along
with the Insurance Policy in existence to the Corporation and thus Insurance
Company would not be able to escape its liability to pay the amount of compensation.
37.
The
liability to pay compensation is based on a statutory provision. Compulsory Insurance
of the vehicle is meant for the benefit of the Third Parties. The liability of the
owner to have compulsory insurance is only in regard to Third Party and not to the
property. Once the vehicle is insured, the owner as well as any other person
can use the vehicle with the consent of the owner. Section 146 of the Act does not
provide that any person who uses the vehicle independently, a separate Insurance
Policy should be taken. The purpose of compulsory insurance in the Act has been
enacted with an object to advance social justice.
38.
Third
Party rights have been considered by this Court in several judgments and the law
on the said point is now fairly well settled.
39.
The
Apex Court in the case of Guru Govekar v. Filomena F. Lobo and Ors. (1988 ACJ 585),
1988 AIR 1332 has held that:
"8. ...Thus, if
a policy is taken in respect of a motor vehicle from an insurer in compliance with
the requirements of Chapter VIII of the Act, the insurer is under an obligation
to pay the compensation payable to a third party on account of any injury to
his/her person or property or payable to the legal representatives of the third
party in case of death of the third party caused by or arising out of the use
of the vehicle at a public place. The liability to pay compensation in respect of
death of or injury caused to the person or property of a third party
undoubtedly arises when such injury is caused when the insured is using the vehicle
in a public place. It also arises when the insured has caused or allowed any other
person (including an independent contractor) to use his vehicle in a public place
and the death of or injury to the person or property of a third party is caused
on account of the use of the said vehicle during such period, unless such other
person has himself taken out a policy of insurance to cover the liability
arising out of such an accident.
13. ...This meant that
once the insurer had issued a certificate of insurance in accordance with sub-section
(4) of Section 95 of the Act the insurer had to satisfy any decree which a person
receiving injuries from the use of the vehicle insured had obtained against any
person insured by the policy. He was liable to satisfy the decree when he had been
served with a notice under sub- section (2) of Section 96 of the Act about the proceedings
in which the judgment was delivered. 14. ...Any other view will expose innocent
third parties to go without compensation when they suffer injury on account of
such motor accidents and will defeat the very object of introducing the necessity
for taking out insurance policy under the Act."
40.
In
a recent judgment of this Court, in the case of United India Insurance Company Limited
v. Santro Devi and Ors. (2009) 1 SCC 558 it has been held as under :-
".The
provisions of compulsory insurance have been framed to advance a social object.
It is in a way part of the social justice doctrine. When a certificate of insurance
is issued, in law, the insurance company is bound to reimburse the owner. There
cannot be any doubt whatsoever that a contract of insurance must fulfil the statutory
requirements of formation of a valid contract but in case of a third- party risk,
the question has to be considered from a different angle. Section 146 provides for
statutory insurance. Insurance is mandatorily required to be obtained by the
person in charge of or in possession of the vehicle. There is no provision in the
Motor Vehicles Act that unless the name(s) of the heirs of the owner of a vehicle
is/are substituted on the certificate of insurance or in the certificate of registration
in place of the original owner (since deceased), the motor vehicle cannot be allowed
to be used in a public place. Thus, in a case where the owner of a motor vehicle
has expired, although there does not exist any statutory interdict for the person
in possession of the vehicle to ply the same on road; but there being a statutory
injunction that the same cannot be plied unless a policy of insurance is obtained,
we are of the opinion that the contract of insurance would be enforceable. It would
be so in a case of this nature as for the purpose of renewal of insurance policy
only the premium is to be paid. It is not in dispute that quantum of premium
paid for renewal of the policy is in terms of the provisions of the Insurance
Act, 1938."
41.
Perusal
of the ratio of aforesaid judgments of this Court, shows that Section 146 of the
Act gives complete protection to Third Party in respect of death or bodily injury
or damage to the property while using the vehicle in public place. For that purpose,
insurance of the vehicle has been made compulsory to the vehicles or to the owners.
This would further reflect that compulsory insurance is obviously for the
benefit of Third Parties.
42.
Certificate
of Insurance, between the owner and the Insurance Company contemplates, under what
circumstances Insurance Company would be liable to pay the amount of compensation.
The relevant conditions are reproduced hereinbelow : "Rules with respect
to use of the Vehicle Use only for carriage of passengers in accordance with permit
(contract carriage or stage carriage) issued within the meaning of the Motor Vehicles
Act, 1988. This policy does not cover:
1. Use for organised racing
pace making reliability trial speed testing.
2. Use whilst drawing
a trailer except the towing (other than to reward) of any one disabled
mechanically propellor vehicle. Persons who are qualified to use the Vehicle: Any
person including the insured provided that person driving holds an effective driving
licence at the time of the accident and is not disqualified from holding or obtaining
such licence. Provided also that a person holding an effective learner's
licence may also drive the vehicle when non used for transport of passenger at the
time of the accident and such a person satisfies the requirement of rule No. 3 of
this Central Motor Vehicle Rule, 1989."
43.
Perusal
thereof would show that there has not been any violation of the aforesaid terms
and conditions of the policy. Respondent-Insurance Company has also failed to point
out violation of any Act, Rules or conditions of the Insurance. Insurance
Company has no legal justification to deny the payment of compensation to the
claimants.
44.
In
the light of the foregoing discussions, the Appeal filed by Insurance Company fails,
wherein it has been directed that the amount would first be paid by the Company,
with right to it to recover the same from owner of the vehicle. This we hold
so, as the liability of the Insurance Company is exclusive and absolute.
45.
Thus,
looking to the matter from every angle, we are of the considered opinion that Insurance
Company cannot escape its liability of payment of compensation to Third Parties
or claimants. Admittedly, owner of the vehicle has not violated any of the
terms and conditions of the policy or provisions of the Act. The owner had taken
the insurance so as to meet such type of liability which may arise on account
of use of the vehicle.
46.
Apart
from the above, learned counsel for Insurance Company could not point out any legal
embargo which may give right to it to deny the payment of compensation. Thus, legally
or otherwise liability has to be fastened on the Insurance Company only.
47.
In
the light of the aforesaid discussion, the Appeals of the Corporation are allowed.
The impugned judgment and order passed by High Court qua the Corporation are hereby
set aside and quashed and we hold that the Insurance Company would be liable to
pay the amount of compensation to the claimants.
48.
Appeals
filed by the Corporation thus stand allowed and the Appeal filed by the Insurance
Company stands dismissed with costs. Counsel's fee quantified at Rs. 10,000/-
in each Appeal.
.........................J.
[DALVEER BHANDARI]
.........................J.
[DEEPAK VERMA]
New
Delhi
July
25, 2011
Back
Pages: 1 2
