JUDGMENT

S. Saghir Ahmad, J.-Respondent s truck was insured with the appellant. On 19.4.1994, while the truck was on its way from Bombay to Allapuzha carrying 15 barrels of Ether Solvent, it caught fire at Bisalkoppa near Hubli, which gave rise to a Claim Petition being filed by the respondent before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Allapuzha, in the sum of Rs. 2,15,000/-, along with interest @ 18 per cent per annum from 19.4.1994, but the Complaint was dismissed on 30.9.1995. An appeal, which was thereafter filed by the respondent before the Kerala State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, was allowed on 24.4.1996 directing the appellant to pay a sum of Rs. 1,93,500/- together with interest @ 12 per cent from 19.4.1994 to the respondent. A Revision filed by the appellant before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission was dismissed on 10.2.1997 and now the matter is in appeal before this Court.

2. The claim of the respondent was resisted by the appellant before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum on the ground, inter alia, that the claim was not covered by the terms of the insurance policy as the respondent, in his vehicle, was carrying Ethyl