Allahabad High Court Criticizes Delay in Widow's Insurance Claim Release

Original: ‘Under what authority...?’: Allahabad HC slams MACT for 6-year delay in releasing widow’s insurance claim

The Indian Express•Apr 4, 20263 min

In a Nutshell

The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench has reprimanded the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) for a six-year delay in releasing a ₹7 lakh (approximately $8,500 USD) insurance claim to Renoo Singh, a widow. The court demanded an explanation from the Presiding Officer for the delay and the insistence on prior counsel's appearance despite ongoing disputes.

Key Points

01The Allahabad High Court has criticized the MACT for delaying an insurance claim for over six years.
02Renoo Singh's claim of ₹7 lakh was initially awarded in 2007, with a Lok Adalat order in 2019 mandating payment.
03The MACT's insistence on the appearance of previous counsel has been deemed unjustified by the court.
04The court has demanded an explanation from the MACT Presiding Officer regarding the delay.
05The case highlights issues of inefficiency within the judicial process affecting claimants.

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Full Summary

The Allahabad High Court's Lucknow bench has expressed serious concern over the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Sultanpur district for failing to release a ₹7 lakh (approximately $8,500 USD) insurance claim to Renoo Singh, a widow, despite clear directives issued in 2019. The court highlighted that the claim, awarded in 2007 under the Motor Vehicles Act, had been confirmed during a Lok Adalat in 2019, which mandated that the insurance company pay the compensation within 60 days. However, more than six years have passed without payment. The court criticized the MACT Presiding Officer for insisting that Singh's previous counsel appear before the tribunal, despite Singh's claims of a dispute between her former and current lawyers. Justice Jaspreet Singh has ordered the Presiding Officer to explain the rationale behind the delay and the legality of the order preventing the release of funds without hearing from the previous counsel. The next hearing is scheduled for April 10.

Key Figures

₹7 lakh

Total insurance claim amount

6 years

Duration of the delay in releasing the claim

60 days

Timeframe mandated for payment by the Lok Adalat

2007

Year the claim was initially awarded

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Why It Matters

This case underscores the inefficiencies in the judicial process, affecting claimants like Renoo Singh who rely on timely compensation for their losses.

Who is affected

Widows and other claimants awaiting insurance payouts.

What to know

The MACT needs to streamline processes to prevent such delays in the future.

FAQ

The MACT insisted that the widow's previous counsel appear before the tribunal, despite disputes between her lawyers.

The insurance claim amounts to ₹7 lakh (approximately $8,500 USD).

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