LAJWANTI Vs. SENIOR DIVISIONAL MANAGER LIC OF INDIA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Laxman Dass, now deceased, husband of Smt. Lajwanti, referred to as the complainant, deposited his Life Insurance Policy with the opposite party on maturity in order to receive the maturity value of Rs.6,034.20 in January, 93. Laxman Dass failed to receive the amount and he, therefore, took-up the matter with L. I. C. He was informed that cheque for the amount of maturity value of the policy had been sent by registered post dated 11.1.1993. On 25.2.1993, Mr. Laxman Dass informed L. I. C. regarding the non-receipt of the cheque. He died on 20th June, 93. After his death, his widow Smt. Lajwanti took up the matter with L. I. C. She was informed vide letter dated 14.7.1993 that the matter was under investigation and she would be informed of the action taken. However, she failed to hear any thing further and was obliged to approach District Forum for necessary redressal.

(2.) The plea of the opposite party was that a payee account cheque in the name of Laxman Dass had been sent by registered post and the cheque had been encashed on 10.3.1993 and in these circumstances, the L. I. C. stood absolved of its liability. The District Forum accepted this plea raised by L. I. C. and held that there was no deficiency in service on the part of the opposite party and the complainant was not entitled to any relief. The complaint was, accordingly, dismissed.

(3.) Aggrieved by the order, the complainant has preferred this appeal. Reply has been filed by the respondent. None appeared for the respondent when the appeal came up forbearing. We have, therefore, heard Mr. S. K. Punshi, authorised representative of the appellant and have carefully gone through the records.