NATIONAL INSU. CO. LTD. Vs. SUNIL SOOD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Facts as they emerge from tile record of this appeal are that vehicle' which is subject matter of this complaint met with accident before it had been registered end or had obtained route per -mil where under it could be plied as per provisions of Motor Vehicles Act. 1988 and the rules framed thereunder.

(2.) VEHICLE inquest ion was purchased in the end of November, 2002 for Rs. 5.07,300/ - and was insured for this sum with the appellant from 2.12.2002 to 1.12.2003 At about 800 PM on 7.12.2002 while it was on its way to Palampur from Alampur, according to respondent it met with accident. This was 'a' case of total loss. After accident appellant was informed. With a view to assess the loss of the vehicle in question, surveyor was deputed by the appellant. Though the damage caused was beyond repair, still at the insistence of the appellant respondent got the vehicle repaired by spending Rs. 2,16,875/ -. Despite these repairs, vehicle was not functional and as a last resort, the documents of the vehicle were deposited by him with the RICP -and ETO at Dharamshala. This according to the appellant was the proof of the vehicle III question non functional.

(3.) IN this background alleging deficiency in service on the part of the appellant, Complaint No. 271/2005 was filed by the respondent. When put to notice complaint was contested mainly on three grounds (a) that the driver at the time of accident was not holding a valid and effective driving licence whereby he was licensed to drive the vehicle in question; (b) that the truck was being plied without valid route permit in violation of Section 66 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as also the terms and conditions of the insurance policy subject to which the appellant had undertaken to indemnity the vehicle in question; and (c) that the vehicle in question was overloaded keeping in view its laden and unladen weight as per its documents.