S.N. Aggarwal, President—Kuldeep Singh husband of Gurmeet Kaur appellant No.1 and father of Kirandeep Kaur, Prabhdeep Kaur and Jashan Preet appellants No. 2 to 4 (in short “the appellants”) had taken the life insurance policy on 26.7.2004 from the respondents for an amount of Rs.10,00,000. He died on 25.4.2005. The appellants being the legal heirs of said Kuldeep Singh lodged the insurance claim. It was repudiated by the respondents. Alleging deficiency in service on the part of the respondents, the appellants filed a complaint against them in the learned District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Amritsar (in short “the District Forum”) for insurance claim. Compensation, interest and costs were also prayed.

2. The respondents filed the written reply. It was admitted that Kuldeep Singh had purchased the life insurance policy from them on 26.7.2004 and that Kuldeep Singh had died on 25.4.2005. It was also admitted that the insurance claim was lodged with them by the appellants which was repudiated.

3. It was pleaded that said Kuldeep Singh was wilfully and fraudulently withheld the correct and material information from the respondents regarding his service, duration of ser