ORDER

S.K. Naik, Member - The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., the petitioner herein, offered insurance cover for a period of ten years on payment of one-time-premium under the Janatha Personal Accident Insurance Policy scheme. Deceased Guru Shanthappa M., husband of respondent/complainant No. l availed the policy covering the period from 13th of March, 1998 to 12th of March, 2008 for a sum of Rs. 5.00 lakh and paid the relevant one time-premium of Rs. 1,375. Guru Shanthappa M., however, died on 19th of September, 2002 on account of a snake bite. Respondent/complainant No. 1, being the nominee of the Life Assured, approached the petitioner/Insurance Company for the settlement of the claim arising out of the said policy on 11th of January, 2003. On a reply received thereto stating that her claim is not maintainable as the policy stood cancelled w.e.f. 1st of July, 2002; the widow of the Life Assured, along with her daughter, filed a complaint before the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Forum, Chitradurga ( District Forum for short), seeking a direction to the petitioner/Insurance Company to honour their claim. The complaint was contested by the petitioner/Insurance Company. Parties