NANDKUMAR MALEKAR Vs. ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 , is directed against the order dated 6.4.2002 in Complaint No.118/2001 by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Rajnandgaon (hereinafter called as 'distt. Forum' for short) directing the respondent/insurer to pay to the complainant as compensation Rs.18,360/- with interest @ 10% per annum, as also cost of the complaint.

(2.) Undisputably the complainant appellant is the owner of Mahindra Jeep bearing registration No. MP-24 RC 0047. The said jeep was purchased on finance from Jila Antyavasasi Sahakari Vikas Samiti and was insured with the respondent/insurer for the period from 24.1.2000 to 23.1.2001. It is also not in dispute that the said jeep met with an accident on 1.1.2001 and got damaged. The complainant laid claim with the respondent insurer which was repudiated by the respondent/insurer by their letter dated 15.5.2001 on the ground that the driver did not hold valid and effective driving licence, as it did not bear the endorsement for driving transport vehicle.

(3.) The complainant feeling aggrieved by the repudiation of his claim as above filed the complaint before the Distt. Forum and prayed that compensation of Rs.1,06,000/- with interest be awarded to him.