MANDA SAVARNA Vs. LIC OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is a widow. Her husband M. Ganga Reddy, had taken two life insurance policies, one for a sum of Rs. 1,15,000 (Policy No. 642901915) dated 28.3.1990, the other for Rs. 12,000 vide Policy No. 642919613 dated 27.2.1993. Both these policies were Endowment Policies with Profits (accident benefit). The petitioner widow was the nominee of both the policies.

(2.) On 24/25.4.1993 Ganga Reddy was dragged out of his house by a group of naxalites at 1. a.m. He was beaten with butt-ends of the guns and also with sticks. He was ultimately taken to the Government Hospital, Kamareddy. On the advice of the Doctor there, Ganga. Ready was taken to Gandhi Hospital, Secunderabad where he was pronounced dead. Apparently, Ganga Reddy had died on his way to Gandhi Hospital.

(3.) The Complainant being the widow and nominee of the two policies of Ganga Reddy, submitted claims for payment under the aforesaid two policies to the Branch Manager and Divisional Manager of L.I.C. of India. The Corporation paid a total sum of Rs. 1,53,749 which was accepted by the widow under protest. On 23.6.1993 a letter addressed to the local Branch Manager of L.I.C. stating that she was entitled to a further sum of Rs. 1,53,749 under the two policies because the death had taken place by accident. The claim of the widow, however, was not entertained by the L.I.C. The widow has lodged a complaint before the District Forum which allowed the claim. The appeal against the order of the District Forum was also dismissed by the State Commission.