CHUMAN BAI Vs. INTUC BHILAI STEEL PLANT UNION

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this appeal, under Sec.15 of Consumer Protection Act, 1986 the order dated 17.2.2005 in Complaint No.159/2003 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Durg (hereinafter called the 'district Forum' for short) has been challenged. By the said order, District Forum has dismissed the complaint of the appellant.

(2.) Indisputably, Dirween Das Verma, husband of the complainant, was an employee of Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP for short) and was a member of Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC for short ). It is further not in dispute that there was a memorandum of understanding between INTUC and respondent No.2- Oriental Insurance Company for covering the risk on the life of the member of INTUC and their spouse, who were the employees of BSP. It is also not in dispute that in pursuance of the said memorandum of understanding, Janta Personal Accident Insurance Policy ('janta Policy' for short) was issued by responded No.2 covering the risk on the life of the said Dirween Das Verma from 9.1.1999 to 8.1.2011.

(3.) According to the averments of the complainant, her husband insured Dirween Das Verma was murdered on 30.10.2000 and thus died on accidental death. The complainant, wife of the insured, intimated the incident to respondent No.1 INTUC. However, since the claim amount was not paid to her, she filed an application on 31.1.2003 to the respondent No.2-insurer. The claim was repudiated by respondent No.2-insurer by their letter dated 26.2.2003 on the ground that the claim was submitted by the complainant belatedly after 27 months. Feeling aggrieved, she filed the complaint.