IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM PRESENT : THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE M.N.KRISHNAN WEDNESDAY, THE 16TH JULY 2008 / 25TH ASHADHA 1930 M.A.C.A.No. 321 of 2007(A) -------------------------------------- OPMV.2370/2004 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, TRIVANDRUM .................... APPELLANT/3RD RESPONDENT: ------------------------------------------ THE NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD., THIRUVALLA, REPRESENTED BY ITS MANAGER, THIRD PARTY CELL, AJAI VIHAR, M.G. ROAD,ERNAKULAM. BY ADV. SRI.GEORGE CHERIAN (THIRUVALLA) RESPONDENTS/CLAIMANTS/RESPONDENTS 1 & 2: ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. VASANTHAKUMARI @ VASANTHAKUMARI AMMA, W/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 2. PADMAKUMARI AMMA, D/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 3. PUSHPAKUMARI AMMA, D/O.GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 4. MADHUSOODHANAN NAIR, S/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 5. MURALEEDHARAN NAIR, S/O.GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 6. KRISHNAKUMAR, S/O. GOPALAKRISHNAN NAIR, KOCHUVILA PUTHEN VEEDU, VAILOOR, MURUKKUMPUZHA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DISTRICT 7. FR. VINCENT DERUF, ST.JOSEPH CHURCH, EDAMON P.O., PUNALUR. M.A.C.A. No. 321/2007 8. RAJESH S., S/O.SASIDHARAN, AMBIKA BHAVAN, VALIKONAM, THONNAKKAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. BY ADVS. SRI.S.D.ASOKAN FOR R1-3,5,6 SRI.P.B.SURESH KUMAR FOR R7 SRI.M.DINESH FOR R8 THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16/07/2008, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING: M.A.C.A. No. 321/2007 ORDER IN I.A.NO. 426/2007 IN M.A.C.A.NO. 321/2007 DISMISSED. SD/- M.N. KRISHNAN, JUDGE. 16.07.2008 /TRUE COPY/ P.A. TO JUDGE. vkm M.N. KRISHNAN, J --------------------------------- M.A.C.A.No. 321 OF 2007 -------------------------------------- Dated this the 16th day of July, 2008 J U D G M E N T This appeal is preferred against the preliminary award passed by the Tribunal under Section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The contention of the Insurance Company is that the deceased was a gratuitous passenger not covered by the policy and therefore the Insurance Company is not bound to pay the amount. There is no contention raised by the owner stating that there has been transfer of the vehicle etc. It is a fairly settled proportion that Insurance Company is entitled to raise a question regarding its non liability even at the preliminary award stage. Therefore the only method now is to keep the amount that is deposited in court itself without disbursement. If ultimately the Insurance Company is not found liable it can be reimbursed to it. If otherwise it can be given to the claimants. The Tribunal shall dispose of the matter itself determining the entire question within a period of three months from today. M.N. KRISHNAN, JUDGE. vkm