SC directs state govs and union territories on accident claims

New Delhi, July 12 (UNI) The Supreme Court has directed all states and union territories to instruct all police officers concerned to comply with the requirement of sending reports to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal within 30 days for speedy disposal of the claims in accident cases.

A Bench comprising Justice Arijit Pasayat and Justice P P Naolekar issued the directions on the petition of General Insurance Council and other insurance companies seeking direction to the police authorities to comply with the mandatory provision of section 158 (6) of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988.

The section mandates that the police officers concerned must forward to Claims Tribunal having juridiction about the death or body injury to any person so recorded in the police station. A police officer must send a copy thereof to the insurance company concerned and the owner of offending vehicle.

The owner of the vehicle is obliged to forward the report to the Claims Tribunal and the insurer.

The petitioners had contended that millions of cases are pending in Claims Tribunal due to non-compliance with the section. The compliance with the section will expedite the disposal of the accident claim.

The apex court directed "periodical checking shall be done by the IG of police concerned to ensure that the requirements are being complied with. In case there is non-compliance, appropriate action will be taken against the errant official. The department of transport and highway shall make periodical verification to ensure that action is being taken and in case of any deviation immediately bring the same to the notice of the state government/union territory concerned so that necessary action can be taken against the official concerned." UNI