Insurance claims must be supported by credible evidence; exaggerated or fabricated claims can lead to repudiation.

1. Heard Mr. Anil Agarwalla, Advocate, for the complainant. None appeared for the opposite parties.

2. M/s. Aristo Texcon Private Limited (the Insured) has filed above complaint for directing United India Insurance Company Limited (the Insurer) to pay (i) Rs. 3,28,50,037.26 with interest, as the insurance claim, (ii) Rs. 2 crores, as the compensation for mental agony and harassment, (iii) cost of litigation; and (iv) any other relief, which is deemed fit and proper, in the facts and circumstances of the case.

3. The facts, as stated in the complaint and emerged from the documents attached with the complaint, are as follows:
(a) M/s. Aristo Texcon Private Limited (the complainant) (the Insured) was a private company, registered under the Companies Act, 1956 and engaged in the business of manufacture and sale of elastic, tapes, laces, mattresses, pillows, cushions and readymade garments. Its factory was situated at Plot No. 20-45, Radhanath Chowdhary Road, Tangra Industrial Estate - II, Kolkata.
(b) United India Insurance Company Limited (the Insurer) was a Public Insurance Company and engaged in the business of providing different types of insurance services to the general public. The Insured obtained 'Standard Fire and Special Perils Policy' No. 030400/11/11/00000158, for a sum of Rs. 7.10 crores (Rs. 1.10 crore on Building, Rs. one crore, on Plant, Machinery & Accessories and Rs. 5 crores on Stock), for a period of 31.5.2011 to 30.5.2012, from the Insurer.
(c) A massive fire broke up around 21:00 hours on 19.2.2012, in the factory premises of the Insured, which was a seven storied building. 19.2.2012 (Sunday) was a holiday for the factory, as such, apart from, the security guard, no employee was there. On coming to know about the fire, the security guard immediately informed to Fire Service Station, from where 5-6 fire tenders were sent on the spot, which doused the fire upto 24.00 hours, in night. Fire was initiated from ground floor and spread up to first and second floors. Disaster Management Team also came on the spot, who sealed the building, for forensic investigation to find out the root cause of the fire.
(d) The Insured informed the Insurer about fire incident and loss at its factory premises on 20.2.2012 and submitted a claim form to Divisional office on 20.2.2012, giving estimated loss to Rs. 6 crores. The Insurer appointed Mr. P.S. Ramnathan, Coimbatore (opposite party - 2), as the surveyor on 21.2.2012. The surveyor reached Kolkata on 22.2.2012 and asked the Insurer to provide a local person, (knowing Bengalilanguage) as his assistant. The Insurer deputed one Mr, Dasgupta, to assist the surveyor. The surveyor inspected the factory premises on 22.2.2012, took photographs, videography and prepared inventory, in presence of the Director of the Insured. The surveyor asked the Insured to segregate the burnt articles. Time to time the surveyor demanded papers for assessment of loss, which were supplied by the Insured. As advised, the Insured supplied an item - wise list of the loss / claim on 3.3.2012, in which total claim was mentioned as Rs. 3,25,27,455.31.
(e) The Insurer also appointed M/s. S.N. & Associates, Kolkata (opposite party - 3) as the Investigator. The major part of the claim of the Insured was loss of 72,000 readymade garments and its packing. The Insured informed that it had received Purchase Order of 72000 ladies ready made garments, from Spectrum World FZC, Rak, U.S.E., dated 20.12.2011. The Insured purchased fabrics from M/s. Sanjay Enterprises, Room No.320, 3rd Floor, 7/1, Grant Lane, Kolkata, Hanuman Traders, 14, Jella Para, 1st Bye Lane, Howrah and United Trading Company, 17/1, Atindra Mukherjee Lane, Howrah, which were got tailored from M/s. Mangla Traders, Amta,