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2009 Supreme(All) 2768

[2009(7) ADJ 312 (DB)]
ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
BEFORE : ASHOK BHUSHAN AND R.A. SINGH, JJ.
RAJESH KUMAR ....Petitioner
Versus
STATE OF U.P. AND OTHERS ....Respondents
(Civil Misc. Writ Petition No. 49437 of 2008, decided on 31st July, 2009)

Advocates:
Counsel :
Jagannath Singh for the Petitioner; S.C. and Rahul Sahai for the Respondents.

Headnote:Insurance Claim—Policy known as “Vyaktigat Durghatana Beema Yojna” issued under scheme of general insurance known as Janta Personal Accident Policy—Launched by State Government—It was applicable to farmers of State recorded as owner of land in Khatauni, whose age was between 12 years to 70 years—Period of policy was one year starting from 16th September, 2006 and Rs. 1,00,000 was to be payable in case of death due to accident—Claimant’s father died on 22nd October, 2006, due to accidental injuries in stomach on 2nd January, 2006—Claim was rejected by Insurance Company in spite of its recommendation by District Magistrate on ground that accident took place long before commencement of policy—High Court after examining contract of insurance found that foundation of claim was ‘accident’ which took place prior to commencement of policy—Accident during period of policy is the condition precedent for claim—Rejection of claim, therefore, not unjustified in view of terms and conditions of policy—Mere fact that death took place during period of policy—Cannot give any right for claim—High Court clarified that not only recommendation of District Magistrate is binding on Insurance Company—Committee, headed by District Magistrate, consisting of one member of Insurance Company—Is given power to take decision on claim, which is binding on Insurance Company—Several other relevant features of policy—Discussed. [Paras 9 to 12, 18, 20, 22 and 23]

       

JUDGMENT

Hon’ble Ashok Bhushan, J.—Heard Sri Jagannath Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner, learned Standing Counsel appearing for respondents No. 2 and 3 and Sri Rahul Sahai, learned counsel appearing for respondent No. 4.

2. Counter and rejoinder affidavits have been exchanged and with the consent of the learned counsel for the parties, the writ petition is being finally decided.

3. Brief facts necessary for deciding the writ petition are; the State of U.P. launched a scheme of general insurance known as Janta Personal Accident Policy’ for all the farmers of State, who were recorded as owner of land in Khatauni. The scheme was applicable in the cases of accident causing death or physical loss to the farmers whose age was between 12 years to 70 years. An agreement was executed on 16th September, 2006 between Governor of the State through Principal Secretary (Revenue), Government of U.P. referred to in the agreement as “the Government” and the ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company referred to in the agreement as “ICICI Lombard”. The State Government floated a tender for insurance of the farmers of the Uttar Pradesh aged between 12 years to 70 years, whose names appeared in the Khatauni of the State as owner of the agricultural land, for Rs.1,00,000/- under the “Janta Personal Accident Policy”. The ICICI Lombard submitted the offer which was accepted by the Government vide order dated 16th September, 2006 on which date agreement was also entered. A policy bond was also issued by the ICICI Lombard copy of which has been filed as Annexure SCA-2 to the supplementary counter affidavit. The period of insurance according to the policy bond was from 17 hours of 16th September, 2006 to 16.59 hours of 16th September, 2007. The State Government also issued a Government order dated 30th October, 2006 copy of which has been filed as Annexure-1 to the writ petition with regard to operation of “Janta Vyakatigat Durghatana Beema Yojana”. The petitioner’s case in the writ petition is that his father namely, Gulab Chandra, who was a tenure holder, met with an accident on 2nd January, 2006 and due to injuries received in the stomach, the petitioner’s father died on 22nd October, 2006. Petitioner’s case further is that after the death of his father information was given by the petitioner to the Lekhpal within a week along with the relevant documents, who after completing the claim submitted the same to the Sub Divisional Officer, Handia through Tahsildar, Handia recommending payment of rupees one lac. Letter dated 20th December, 2006 was sent to the respondent No. 4 on behalf of the District Magistrate referring to the Government order dated 16th September, 2006. The respondent No. 4 issued a letter dated 28th December, 2006 to the District Magistrate, Allahabad informing that the claim has been reviewed and it has been decided that since accident occurred on 2nd January, 2006 and policy started from 16th September, 2006, the claim is not covered. The Chief Revenue Officer informed the Sub Divisional Officer vide letter dated 25th January, 2007 regarding the letter of respondent No. 4 dated 28th December, 2006. The Tahsildar after receiving the letter of the Chief Revenue Officer again wrote to the Chief Revenue Officer that since the death of Gulab Chandra occurred on 22nd October, 2006 and the policy has been enforced from 16th September, 2006, the application is again being forwarded. The District Magistrate vide letter dated 26th February, 2007 again forwarded the application to respondent No. 4 for payment under the “Kisan Durghatana Beema Policy” stating that the accident took place on 2nd January, 2006 in which deceased had received injuries and while receiving treatment father of the petitioner died on 22nd October, 2006. It was further stated that date of death being covered by the policy, the claim is re-submitted. A reminder was written again by the District Magistrate on 24th March, 2007 to respondent No. 4. A letter was written



































































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