IN THE DELHI STATE CONSUMER DISPUTES REDRESSAL COMMISSION Date of Institution: 04.11.2024 Date of Hearing: 13.11.2025 Date of Decision: 09.01.2026 FIRST APPEAL NO. 720/2024 IN THE MATTER OF NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD., BOMBAY LIFE BUILDING, N-34, CONNAUGHT CIRCUS, NEW DELHI–110001.

(Through: Mr. D. N. Singh, Advocate)

…Appellant VERSUS M/S. SARC PRINTLINE, 208/6F, SHAHZADA BAGH, DAYA BASTI, NEW DELHI–110052.

(Through: Mr. Siddharth Aggarwal, Advocate)

…Respondent CORAM:

HON’BLE JUSTICE SANGITA DHINGRA SEHGAL (PRESIDENT)

HON’BLE MS. BIMLA KUMARI, MEMBER (FEMALE)

Present: Mr. D. N. Singh, Counsel for the Appellant, E-mail:

dnsingal1951@gmail.com.

Mr. Siddharth Aggarwal, counsel for the Respondent, E-mail:

siddharth95899@gmail.com.

PER: HON’BLE JUSTICE SANGITA DHINGRA SEHGAL, PRESIDENT

JUDGMENT

1. The present Appeal is preferred by the Appellant against the Impugned Order dated

31.08.2024., passed by the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission-I (North District) [Govt. of NCT of Delhi] Ground Floor, Court Annexe-2, Tis Hazari Court Complex, Delhi-110054 titled M/s. SARC Printline vs. New India Assurance Company Ltd. in CC No. 71 of 2023.

2. The District Commission after taking into consideration the material available on record passed the order dated 31.08.2024 whereby it held as under:

“1. The Complainant, which is a proprietorship firm of one Ms. Chander Kant Arora. The said proprietorship firm deals in manufacturing and sales of printed packaging material, stickers and cardboard boxes etc. The complainant firm purchased a New Indian Bharat Sookshma Udyam Surakssha Policy bearing policy No.31030011218000000524 from M/s New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (OP herein). By way of this complaint, the Complainant has challenged the partial settlement of the claim by the OP herein for the total loss after factory premises due to massive fire.

2. The insurance policy purchased by the Complainant covered the printing press of the Complainant situated at Shehzada Bagh Dayabasti, Delhi. The policy which is in question was valid from 07.03.2022 to 06.03.2023 and it covered the sum assured for Rs.35,00,000.00.

3. At this stage it is important to mention here that the policy in question was issued under the Government of India flagship scheme "Bharat Sookshma Udyam Suraksha" which is offered by OP herein under the name New India Bharat Sookshma Udyam Suraksha Policy. The policy under this scheme is very unique as it provides three types of covers- (i) Standard Cover, (ii) Inbuilt Cover and (iii) Standard Add-on Covers. Standard Cover covers the building and structures, plant and machinery, stock and other assets relating to the business of the insured. In Build Cover covers additions, alterations or extensions; stocks on floater basis; temporary removal of stocks; cover for Specific Contents including money documents such as deeds manuscripts, business books, plans, drawings, securities etc., cover for computer programmes, information and data, cover for personal effects of employees, Directors and visitor; Start Up Expenses; professional fee; cost of removal of debris; and additional cost of reconstruction of property incurred solely for complying with municipal regulations. Standard Add-on cover covers frequent fluctuations in stock/ stock values on declaration basis.

4. The policy specifically covered building structure for the sum assured of Rs. 10,00,000.00, furniture fixture & fittings for sum assured of Rs.15,00,000.00 and stocks in process for a sum assured of Rs. 10,00,000.00. Additionally the policy also covered terrorism, earthquake and STFI (Storm, Tempest, Flood, and Inundation).

5. The factory of the Complainant was gutted in a fire accident on 6-7 June 2022. The Complainant, thereafter, lodged an insurance claim with the OP insurance company. The OP Insurance Company, got the claim investigated by M/s Ram Gopal Verma, Insurance Surveyor & Loss Assessor (not a party). The said surveyor submitted its report on 21.10.2022 and has opined that the