Sant Lal vs Rajesh And Ors Etc

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NOS. 8395-8396 OF 2017 (Arising out of S.L.P. (C) Nos.35534-35535 of 2013)

SANT LAL …APPELLANT(S) VERSUS

RAJESH & ORS. ETC. …RESPONDENT(S)

JUDGMENT

ARUN MISHRA, J.

Leave granted.

The appeals have been preferred by the owner, aggrieved by the

award passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Bhiwani (for

short, “the MACT”). The driver was driving a tractor which was

attached to the trolley carrying goods. The MACT held that the same

becomes transport vehicle though the driver was having licence to

drive motor cycle, scooter, car, jeep and light motor vehicle. There

was no endorsement to drive a transport vehicle. Thus, there was

violation of the conditions of the policy. Driver was not having a valid

licence to drive transport vehicle. Thus, after making payments to the

claimant, right of recovery have been given to the insurer from owner. Signature Not Verified Digitally signed by BALA PARVATHI Date: 2017.11.27 16:49:02 IST Reason: The award has been affirmed by the High Court. Hence present

appeals.

2

This Court has considered the question whether the holder of

licence for light motor vehicle can drive tractor attached to the trolley

carrying goods and also whether separate endorsement is required

authorizing him to drive such a transport vehicle?

We have answered the question that driver having licence to

drive light motor vehicle can drive such a transport vehicle of LMV

class and there is no necessity to obtain separate endorsement, since

tractor attached with the trolley was transport vehicle of the category

of light motor vehicle. Hence, there was no breach of the conditions of

the policy.

Accordingly, in view of the answer given to reference by the three

Judge Bench of this Court in Mukund Dewangan vs. Oriental

Insurance Co. Ltd. etc. (Civil Appeal No.5826 of 2011), these appeals

have to be allowed and are hereby allowed. The right given to the

insurer to recover amount from owner is hereby set aside. The

liability is held to be joint and several of owner, driver and insurer. No

costs.

……………………..…J. (ARUN MISHRA)

……………………..…J. (AMITAVA ROY) JULY 3, 2017 NEW DELHI 3

REVISED

ITEM NO.1503 COURT NO.11 SECTION IV-B (for Judgment) S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Civil Appeal Nos.8395-8396 of 2017 @Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal(C)No(s).35534-35535/2013

SANT LAL Petitioner(s) VERSUS RAJESH AND ORS ETC Respondent(s)

Date : 03-07-2017 These matters were called on for pronouncement of judgment today.

For Petitioner(s) Ms. Archana Pathak Dave, AOR Mr. Vineet Bhagat, AOR

For Respondent(s) Mr. Bharat Bhushan, AOR

Hon'ble Mr. Justice Arun Mishra pronounced the judgment of the Bench comprising His Lordship and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Amitava Roy.

Leave granted.

The appeals are allowed in terms of the signed reportable judgment.

(B.PARVATHI) (TAPAN KUMAR CHAKRABORTY) COURT MASTER (SH) COURT MASTER

(Signed reportable judgment is placed on the file) 4

ITEM NO.1503 COURT NO.11 SECTION IV-B (for Judgment) S U P R E M E C O U R T O F I N D I A RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (C)No(s).35534-35535/2013 (Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 02-08-2013 in FAO No. 347/2011 passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh)

SANT LAL Petitioner(s) VERSUS RAJESH AND ORS ETC Respondent(s)

(HEARD BY : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN MISHRA HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE AMITAVA ROY)

Date : 03-07-2017 These matters were called on for pronouncement of judgment today.

For Petitioner(s) Ms. Archana Pathak Dave, AOR Mr. Vineet Bhagat, AOR

For Respondent(s) Mr. Bharat Bhushan, AOR

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following O R D E R

Leave granted.

The appeals are allowed in terms of the signed reportable

judgment.

(B.PARVATHI) (TAPAN KUMAR CHAKRABORTY) COURT MASTER (SH) COURT MASTER

(Signed reportable judgment is placed on the file)