VINOD Vs. KADEEJA UMMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal preferred against the award of the Claims Tribunal, Thrissur in OP(MV)No.4050/2003. A claim petition was filed by the legal representatives of one Sulaiman who died in a road accident on 7.9.2001. The Tribunal awarded the legal representatives a compensation of Rs.77,000/= and directed the third respondent insurance company to pay the amount and get it reimbursed from the owner. Reimbursement was ordered on the ground that there was no proof regarding valid permit to ply the vehicle.

(2.) The learned counsel for the appellant had made available before me a copy of the permit which would indicate that there was valid permit for the vehicle from 6.11.2000 to 5.11.2005. The accident had taken place on 7.9.2001. If really the permit is correct, then one cannot hold that the vehicle was plying without a valid permit. Since it is only a copy it cannot be finalised here. Therefore an opportunity is given to the appellant to produce the authenticated copy so as to satisfy the conscience of the court regarding validity of the permit. So for that purpose, the matter is remitted back.

(3.) Therefore the award under challenge is set aside and the matter is remitted back to the Tribunal with a direction to the appellant herein to produce authenticated copy of the permit and adduce evidence to satisfy the conscience of the court regarding existence of valid permit on the date of accident. Needless to say that the insurance company can also produce documents in support of their contentions. For this limited purpose, the matter is remanded and the parties are directed to appear before the Tribunal on 7.12.2010. Disposed of accordingly