This civil miscellaneous appeal has been filed by the United India Insurance Company Limited against the award dated 02.11.2010 made in M.C.O.P.No.455 of 2008 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claim Tribunal, Principal Sub Court, Tirunelveli.
2.The first respondent herein is the claimant. He had travelled as a passenger in the vehicle belonging to the second respondent herein. The second respondent was the driver cum vehicle owner. The vehicle was insured with the appellant company. On account of the rash and negligent driving of the second respondent herein, the accident in question occurred on 10.08.2008. The Indica car bearing registration No.TN 04 H 7104 belonging to the second respondent herein was involved an accident with the vehicle belonging to the fourth respondent herein. The claimant lost vision in one of his eyes. The Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.7,06,900/- with interest at 7.5% per annum against the appellant insurance company. Aggrieved by the same, this civil miscellaneous appeal has been filed.
3.The learned counsel appearing for the appellant insurance company pointed out that a counter statement was filed before the Tribunal pointing out that the vehicle onwer, who drove the offending vehicle was having only Learner's Licence. In support of this plea, Ex.R1 was marked through D.W.1, the Record Clerk working in Tirunelveli Regional Transport Office. Thus, it has been established beyond any doubt that the offending vehicle was driven by the person, who was not having a valid and effective driving license. Therefore, the insurer cannot be called upon to indemnify the owner. However, as far as the payment of compensation to third party is concerned, the insurance company cannot escape from its liability. This Court therefore is inclined to modify the award passed by the Tribunal.
4.When the appeal was taken up for admission, a condition to deposit the entire award amount together with interest was imposed. The learned counsel for the appellant states that this condition was complied with. The claimant was permitted to withdraw 50% of the deposited amount with proportionate interest during the pendency of the appeal. The claimant is permitted to withdraw the remaining amount also. The appellant insurance company is permitted to recover the entire award amount from the owner by initiating execution proceedings directly against the owner.
5.This civil miscellaneous appeal is accordingly disposed of. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
To Motor Accidents Claim Tribunal, Principal Sub Court, Tirunelveli.
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