K.R. Udayabhanu, President—The Appellants are the complainants in O.P. No. 353/02 in the file of the CDRF, Kollam. The complaint was dismissed by the Forum.

2. The first appellant is the wife and the second appellant is the minor daughter of the deceased Vijayakumar. The case is that the late Vijayakumar had availed a Life Insurance Policy (Policy No. 782662951) issued by the 2nd respondent i.e., the Branch Manager, L.I.C. of India, Karunagapally. The deceased had paid Rs. 4,036 on 8/5/2002 towards half yearly premium. The second opposite party had issued an unconditional receipt accepting the premium and the proposal. Subsequently the policy certificate was also issued. Sum assured was Rs.1 lakh. As per Clause 10 (b) of the policy the opposite parties are liable to pay an additional sum equal to the sum assured under the policy. The assured died on 11.5.2002 in an accident. The claim form submitted by the first complainant was turned down. The first opposite party, the Senior Divisional Manager, L.I.C., Thiruvananthapuram as per letter dated 28/9/2002 repudiated the claim on the ground that there was no valid contract existing at the time of death of the proposer.

3.The fi