NATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD Vs. LAXMI CHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned Counsel for the appellant, they perused the impugned order dated 30.1.2003 passed by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum-I (for short hereinafter referred to as the District Forum) in Complaint Case No.590 of 2001.

(2.) The sole ground on which the claim of the respondent/complainant was repudiated by the appellant-National Insurance Company Limited (for short hereinafter referred to as the Insurance Company) is that the driver of the concerned vehicle did not have a valid licence to drive a Light Motor Vehicle. The driver held a licence to drive the scooter/motorcycle/car/jeep only. The concerned vehicle in the instant case was Maruti Omni Van bearing registration No. CH-01-X 3122 which has eight seats.

(3.) It is relevant to note that the Maruti Omni Van is included in the category of Light Motor Vehicle (Transport Vehicle ). A person who holds a valid licence to drive car/jeep/scooter/motorcycle is competent to drive any Light Motor Vehicle and as a matter of fact, the competent authorities under the Motor Vehicles Act are issuing licence for driving Light Motor Vehicles only and are now not specifying the type of the Light Motor Vehicle.