DEO KUMAR SINGH Vs. NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the parties. The prayer made In this writ petition is for quashing the order dated 11.8.2004 passed by the Workmen Compensation Commissioner, Hazaribagh whereby he has directed the owner/petitioner to refund the amount of Rs. 1,96,541/- to the Insurer without arriving at any findings in absence of any evidence or without any proceedings in accordance with law or without arriving at any finding against the owner to fix his liability.

(2.) Learned counsel for the petitioner has drawn attention that the order passed by this Court in M.A. No. 231 of 2002 dated 4.7.2003, which is read as under:--

(3.) It is submitted on the part of the petitioner that from the perusal of the impugned order it appears that this Court had only given opportunity to the Insurance Company to recover the amount in question to be paid to the workmen from the owner if permissible in law. It is submitted that without any application on the part of the Insurance Company or without initiating any proceeding, the impugned order dated 11.8.2004 has been passed by the Workmen Compensation Commissioner, Hazaribagh, which is contained at Annexure-7. The Insurance Company was required to establish liability of the owner regarding the validity of the licence of the Driver, thereafter, the Workmen Compensation Commissioner was required to pass an order whether the petitioner owner has to pay the sum in question of Rs. 1,96,541/- to the Insurance Company.