Absence of driving documents must be supported by clear evidence for recovery rights; mere assertions are insufficient.

J U D G M E N T

This appeal arises out of award in O.P(MV).No.1107/2009 dated 24.02.2012 on the file of Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Kollam at the instance of the 4th respondent, the owner of the offending vehicle, challenging recovery right granted on the ground that there was no fitness certificate as well as a driving licence for the driver at the time of the accident.

2. Short facts : One Thankamma died in consequence of a motor accident occurred on 06.07.2008 while she was travelling as a passenger in KL-02/L 155 stage carriage bus. Accordingly, her legal heirs lodged petition under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act . The deceased was a cashew labourer and was earning Rs.3,500/- per month.

3. The Tribunal recorded the evidence in this matter. PW1 examined and Exts.A1 to A10 marked on the side of the appellant. On appreciation of evidence, the Tribunal granted Rs.56,500/- as against the claim of Rs.1,50,000/-.

4. It is argued by the learned counsel for the appellant that the Tribunal granted recovery right after granting compensation to the tune of Rs.56,500/- on the ground that the driver of the vehicle did not possess a valid driving licence and also the vehicle had no badge at the time of accident. The learned counsel for the appellant produced Annexure-A1 letter given by the Joint Regional Transport Officer, Karunagappally dated 06.11.2021 stating that in between 24.03.2008 to 16.04.2009, there was valid fitness certificate for the vehicle bearing Reg.No.KL-02-L-155. Similarly, the appellant produced Annexure-A2 driving licence in the name of Rafeek showing that he had licence at the time of the accident as well. 5. A pertinent aspect to be noted in this case is the finding entered into by the Tribunal as espoused in para.19 of the award.

Para.19 of the award is extracted here under:

“19. Issue No.6:-- In the written statement R3 raised a contention that there was no fitness certificate for the vehicle. The vehicle had no fitness certificate and there was no driving licence for R2. Therefore, the insurance company is not liable to indemnify R4. The insurance policy with respect to the vehicle is admitted. So R3 shall pay the money and recover it fromR4 who is the insured of the vehicle. Issue No.6 is answered accordingly.”

A cursory reading of para.19 would convince that recovery right was granted on mere asking. That is to say, though absence of driving licence and fitness certificate are negative facts, the proof of the same is by giving direction to the owner and driver of the alleged offending vehicle to produce the same. If, on getting notice the owner and the driver fail to produce the said documents, adverse inference regarding absence of the said documents can be taken. But such a procedure, not adopted in this case and the insurer not even filed any petition in this regard. Therefore, grant of recovery right in favour of the insurer from the insured allowed in this case is without support of any materials. In this context, it is held that mere pleadings raised by the insurer stating that there was no driving licence or badge to the driver of the vehicle and there was no fitness certificate or permit to the vehicle is insufficient to hold so. The said contention must be established by adducing the best evidence. In cases involving absence of driving licence, badge, fitness certificate and permit etc., being negative facts, the same contention shall be established by giving direction to the owner and driver for cause production of the said documents. On notice, if failure on the part of the owner and insurer in producing the documents is established, an adverse inference has to be drawn finding absence of the said documents and by giving emphasis on such adverse inference, recovery right can be granted. In fact, in this case, recovery right was granted without opting the said exercise and, therefore, the said finding is illegal. Since the said documents are now produced before this Court, the finding otherw