LIC OF INDIA Vs. SUKADEV SUTAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Late Sh. Ranjan Sutar, son of the complainant obtained a LIC policy for assured sum of Rs. 30,000/-. The said policy was to commence on 28.10.2000 and was to mature on 28.10.2020. The son of the complainant expired on 28.03.2002. The claim lodged by the complainant for payment in terms of the insurance policy, he being the nominee of the insured, however, was rejected by the petitioner Corporation on the ground that the policy taken by the deceased had lapsed on account of non-payment of the quarterly premium which had fallen due on 28.01.2002. The case of the complainant in this regard was that the premium of the aforesaid quarter was duly paid by his son on 25.01.2002 to an agent of the petitioner Corporation namely Mr. Rajendra Kumar Das, who was also impleaded as a party to the complaint. Being aggrieved from the rejection of his claim, the complainant approached the concerned District Forum by way of a complaint.

(2.) The complaint was opposed by the petitioner Corporation on the ground that the premium for the quarter October, 2001 to January, 2002 had fallen due on 28.01.2002, but had not been paid. The agent of the Corporation also denied having received the premium from the deceased insured, for the quarter ending January, 2002.

(3.) Vide its order dated 26.07.2003, the District Forum directed the petitioner Corporation to pay the insured amount of Rs. 30,000/- to the complainant.