NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO LTD Vs. SURTU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against the order dated 8.8.2000 whereby the complaint of the complainant for recovery of Rs.15,000/- (Rupees fifteen thousand) as insured amount on the death of his goats along with interest @ 12% and compensation of Rs.1,000/- (Rupees one thousand) and cost of litigation of Rs.1,000/- (Rupees one thousand) was allowed.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are that the complainant had purchased 18 goats after taking loan of Rs.20,000/- (Rupees twenty thousand) from the Bank and got them insured for Rs.18,000/- (Rupees eighteen thousand ). During the insurance period, all of a sudden on 29.4.1998, 15 goats died due to some unknown disease. Dr. D. C. Gupta did the post-mortem of the dead bodies of the goats on 30.4.1998 and reported that the goats have died due to eating of some poisonous grass. The doctor verified the death of the goats. Even the Gram Pradhan, Member of the Shetra Samiti and Member of Zila Panchayat verified the death. The complainant lodged the claim with the Insurance Company but the claim was repudiated on the ground that there were no tags in the ears of the goats. Therefore, the complainant filed a complaint before the learned Forum.

(3.) The Bank in its objections admitted the loan, insurance, receipt of the claim form and submission of the claim form to the Insurance Company after completing the formalities.