JUDGMENT :

Shoba Annamma Eapen, J.

This intra court appeal is filed by the first respondent in WP(C) No.21288 of 2022, challenging the judgment dated 30.01.2023 of the learned Single Judge. The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., the first respondent herein, was the writ petitioner. The Insurance Ombudsman, the second respondent herein, was the second respondent in the writ petition.

2. The question involved in this case is whether the Insurance Ombudsman has power to direct the insurance company to issue a medi-claim policy at the same premium as was originally charged and to issue directions, directing payment of premium.

3. The facts of the case are as follows;

The appellant herein had taken a medi-claim policy from the respondent insurance company through the Punjab National Bank as per PNB-Oriental Royal Medi-claim policy from 09.12.2014 onwards. The policy was being renewed thereafter and the last period of policy was from 09.12.2017 to 08.12.2018. On 29.11.2018, when he approached the Punjab National Bank, Thrikkakara for renewal of policy from 08.12.2018, he was informed that the premium for renewing the policy is enhanced to Rs. 19,587/-. Originally, the premium was only Rs.7,172/