Mr. Justice V.K. Agrawal, President—This appeal under Section 15 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, is directed against the order dated 21.3.2001 in Complaint No. 79/98 by District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Sarguja (hereinafter called ‘the Distt. Forum’ for short) dismissing the appellant’s complaint.

2. Undisputably the appellant carries on his business at Baikunthpur, Distt. Sarguja in the name of M/s. Mankeshwar Bangle Stores. The complainant had obtained Fire policy ‘B’ from the respondent/insurer. It was alleged that during subsistence of policy on 11.10.1996, the said shop caught fire on account of short circuit resulting in damage to the shop and the bangles kept therein. The complainant, therefore, laid claim with the respondents/insurer. Surveyors B.S. Gambhir and P.K. Agarwal were appointed by the respondent/insurer. The claim of the complainant/appellant however was repudiated by the respondent/insurer. Hence, the complaint was lodged by the appellant claiming Rs. 1,99,070/- with interest as compensation.

3. The complaint was resisted by the respondents/insurer. According to them, the occurrence of incident of fire, as alleged by the complainant was found