BHIKAMCHAND GOLCHA Vs. ABDUL LATIF

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS group of nine cases is proposed to be decided by this common judgment since they arise out of the same accident and common award of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Durg dated 12.2.1999. Besides this will also dispose of the cross -objection filed in M.A. No. 1172 of 1999 (National Insurance Company Limited v. Smt. Kachar Bai and another).

(2.) ACCIDENT took place on 21.4.1993 when claimants were travelling in truck No. MIT 7555. The truck met with accident at Bafna Nala resulting in injuries to the occupants travelling in it. The vehicle was owned by Bhikamchand Golcha and insured with the National Insurance Company Limited. Claims Tribunal . came to the conclusion that the vehicle was carrying passengers for hire and reward, therefore, Insurance Company was not liable to pay compensation.

(3.) THE short question for examination and determination in this case is whether Insurance Company has been rightly exonerated by the Tribunal from the liability to pay compensation. We answer this question in the negative. There is no dispute that the vehicle was insured with National Insurance Company Ltd. at the time of accident. There is also no dispute that the claimants who suffered injuries in the accident involving the vehicle owned by Bhikam Chand were travelling in this truck. In Claim case No. 58 of 1993, Mst. Jetun Bai died in the accident: There is no evidence suggesting that the claimants were passengers for hire and reward in the vehicle in question. Therefore, they have to be taken as gratuitous passengers. Consequently, the case is covered by the decision of Apex Court reported in AIR 2000 SC 235 (New India Assurance Company Ltd. v. Satpal). Consequently, the Insurance Company is held liable to pay compensation in all the cases.