IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Date of decision:09.02.2026 PNB METLIFE INDIA INSURANCE COMPANY LTD ...PETITIONER VERSUS SUKH NARAIN AND OTHERS ...RESPONDENTS CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SUVIR SEHGAL Present: Mr. Nitin Thatai, Advocate for the petitioner.

Mr. Manu Loona, Advocate for respondent No.1.

Respondent No.3 already deleted from array of parties.

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SUVIR SEHGAL, J.

1. Petitioner has assailed ex parte award dated 25.03.2022, Annexure P-1, passed by Permanent Lok Adalat, Public Utility Services, Fazilka (for short “Lok Adalat”).

2. Respondent No.1 approached the Lok Adalat by filing a petition under Section 22-C of the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987 (for short “1987 Act”) alleging that he was induced into purchasing an insurance policy for a period of 100 years by giving an impression that policy is for 10 years. Respondent No.1 claims that he paid Rs.52,250/- by way of a premium through a cheque and a temporary receipt was issued to him on 29.06.2021. When he came to know of the deceit, he requested the petitioner vide email dated 09.07.2021 to cancel the policy and return the premium. It has been claimed that despite accepting the request for cancel