RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT AT JAIPUR BENCH
G.M.Lodha, J.
Durga Devi and others - Appellant
Versus
Ram Kishan and others - Respondent
S.B. Civil Misc. Appeal No. 165 of 1975.
Decided On : 5-08-1985
Insurance Liability - Goods Vehicle - The court held that the insurance company is liable for passengers carried for hire or reward or by reason of or in pursuance of a contract of employment in any vehicle, including the owner of the goods and his employees. The insurer is not liable for the death or bodily injury of an employee of the insured, except under the Workmen's Compensation Act, if the employee is engaged in specific activities related to the vehicle.
Fact of the Case:
The deceased was the owner of the goods being carried in a goods vehicle. The insurance company was held liable to make payment to the extent of the liability, which was up to Rs. 50,000 as per the policy.
Finding of the Court:
The court held that the compensation computed by the Tribunal could not be reduced and should be increased based on the expectancy of life. The insurance company was liable only to the extent of Rs. 50,000, and the claimants would receive interest as awarded by the Tribunal.
Issues: Liability of the insurance company for the deceased owner of goods in a goods vehicle, quantum of compensation, and calculation of expectancy of life.
Ratio Decidendi: The court applied the principles established by the Full Bench, holding the insurance company liable for the deceased owner of goods in a goods vehicle and determining the quantum of compensation based on the expectancy of life.
Final Decision: The appeal was partly allowed, and the impugned award was modified to the extent that the insurance company was liable only to the extent of Rs. 50,000, with the claimants receiving interest as awarded by the Tribunal.
"(i) in case of a gratuitous passenger going on joy-ride or on his own responsibility. insurance company is not liable:
(ii) in case of passengers carried for hire or reward or by reason of or i n pursuance of a contract of employment in any vehicle, the insurance company is liable. This would include owner of the goods as well as his employees:
(iii) the insurer shall not he liable to cover liability in respect of employee of the insured in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, any such employee arising out of and in the course of his employment other than a liability arising under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, if such employee is (a) engaged in driving such vehicle. or(b) if it is a public service vehicle engaged as a conductor of the vehicle or in examining tickets on the vehicle, or (c) if it is a goods vehicle being carried in the vehicle.
(iv) the insurer shall not he liable to cover any contractual liability."
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