ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO LTD Vs. NIRMALA SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal, under Sec.15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986 , is directed against the order dated 19.7.2004 in Complaint No.120/2003 by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Sarguja, Ambikapur (hereinafter called the 'district Forum' for short) directing the appellant to pay to the complainant/respondent No.1 Rs.25,000 with interest @ 9% per annum payable from 13.8.2003 as also Rs.500 as cost of the complaint.

(2.) The complainant averred that she was entitled to get the assured amount under the Women's Welfare Insurance Policy issued by the respondent No.1, as the husband of the complainant Pramod Singh died in an accident on 18.8.2002. It was also averred that the complainant approached the respondents to pay the amount under the policy. However, the same was not paid to them. Hence she filed complaint in the District Forum.

(3.) The appellant/opposite party No.1-Oriental Insurance Company averred that cheque of premium amount was received from Janpad Panchayat (which included premium amount paid by the husband of the complainant) on 18.10.2002, whereafter the policy under the Women's Welfare Insurance Scheme was issued covering the risk from 15.1.2003 to 14.1.2004. It was averred that since the complainant's husband died on 18.8.2002, that is prior to the date of coverage of risk, the complainant was not entitled to any relief.