IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CWJC No.3601 of 2008 OM PRAKASH PRAJAPATI, Son of Ram Vrat Prajapati, resident of Village- Bamhaur, Police Station- Sheosagar, District- Rohtas. .........Petitioner. Versus 1. The Union of India through Ministry of Finance, New Delhi. 2. National Insurance Company Limited through Sr. Divisional Manager, Division-III, India Exchange Place, Kolkatta-700 001. 3. Divisional Manager, National Insurance Company Limited, Division- III, 8, India Exchange Place, Kolkatta- 700 001. 4. Branch Manager, National Insurance Company Limited Branch Office, Sasaram, District-Rohtas. 5. Golden Trust Financial Services through its Manager, 16, R.N. Mukarjee Road, Kolkatta- 700 001...................................Respondents. ----------- 3. 9.10.2009. Heard learned counsel for the petitioner and counsel appearing on behalf of the National Insurance Company Limited. Petitioner had taken a „Group Janta Personal Accident Scheme Policy‟ for the period between 23.02.2004 to 22.02.2019. He met with an accident on 05.05.2006 and suffered injury in his left palm which resulted in amputation of the hand below the wrist. Having suffered such amputation, petitioner applied for grant of insurance claim in terms of the Accident Insurance Policy which is not being considered by the authorities of the Insurance Company as according to them, petitioner shall be entitled for grant of insurance claim provided he suffered loss of arm next below the shoulder. Counsel for the petitioner disputes such interpretation of the terms and conditions of the policy by the Insurance Company as according to him petitioner is entitled to grant of insurance claim as he suffered amputation of his hand below the wrist. 2 In this connection, learned counsel for the petitioner has relied upon the definition of hand as given in „American Heritage Medical Dictionary‟ which defines „hand‟ in the following terms. “The terminal part of the human arm located below the forearm, used for grasping and holding and consisting of the wrist, palm, four fingers, and an opposable thumb.” Having considered the submission made on behalf of the petitioner as also of the Insurance Company, I am of the view that left hand of the petitioner below the wrist has been amputated in view of the injury suffered by him in the palm, he is entitled for grant of insurance claim, the respondent- Company is directed to pay insurance claim to the petitioner in the light of the terms and conditions of the “Group Janta Personal Accident Scheme” taken by the petitioner contained in Annexure-A to the counter affidavit. The insurance claim of the petitioner be paid by the respondent Insurance company as soon as possible in any case within one month from the date of receipt/production of a copy of this order before the Patna Regional Branch of National Insurance Company Limited with interest as admissible under the rules of the company. This application is, accordingly, allowed. U.K. (V.N.Sinha,J)