8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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Reportable
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.4244 OF 2015[Arising !" # SLP $C% N.14015&2010'
()*n+*i ... A,,*--n"
Vs.
N*/ Ini Ass!rn* C. L". Ors. ... R*s,n*n"s
3i") CA N.4245&2015 SLP [C' N.1466&20107 CA N.424&2015
SLP [C' N.14800&20107 CA N.4248&2015 SLP [C' N.14801&20107
CA N.4249&2015 SLP [C' N.1484:&20107 CA N.4246&2015 SLP[C' N.14948&20107 n CA N.4250&2015 SLP [C' N.1495&2010.
J U D G M E N T
ARUN MISHRA, J.
1. L*;* grn"*.
2. In ")* ,,*-s< ")* =in >!*s"in /)i) ris*s #r
nsi*r"in is< /)*")*r i" is ,*n " -i=n" " r*;*r *n"ir*
=,*ns"in #r= n* # ")* ?in" "r" #*srs< ,r"i!-r-+ /)*n in
i*n" !s* @+ =,si"* n*g-ig*n* # ri;*rs # "ri-r"r!B n @!s
)s @**n #!n " 2&:r n 1&:r *"*n" r*s,*"i;*-+.
:. In ")* ins"n" s*s ")* in?!ri*s /*r* s!s"in* @+ ")*
-i=n"s /)*n "/ ;*)i-*s @!s n "ri-r"r!B --i* /i") *)
")*r. T)* N*/ Ini Ass!rn* C. L". is =i""*-+ ")* ins!r*r # ")*
@!s. H/*;*r< n ")* @sis # i"in- *;i*n* !* ")* Hig) C!r"
)s =* " ")* n-!sin ")" ")* N*/ Ini Ass!rn* C. L". is n" ")*
ins!r*r # ")* "ri-r"r!B< )*n* is n" -i@-* " s"is#+ 2&:r # ")* /r.
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4. I" is s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* /)*r* in?!ri*s );* @**n
!s* " ")* -i=n"s @+ =@in* /rng#!- " # ?in" "r" #*srs. In
s* # i*n" !s* @+ n*g-ig*n* # ?in" "r" #*srs< -- ")* ,*rsns
/) i r !ns*- r ir*" r ?in in ==i""- # /rng#!- "< r*
-i@-*. In s!) s*< ")* -i@i-i"+ is -/+s ?in" n s*;*r-. T)* *"*n" #
n*g-ig*n* # ?in" "r" #*srs in s!) s* is i=="*ri- #r s"is#"in
# ")* -i= # ")* ,-in"i##&-i=n" n n** n" @* *"*r=in* @+ ")*
!r". H/*;*r< in s* -- ")* ?in" "r" #*srs r* @*#r* ")* !r"< i" =+
*"*r=in* ")* *"*n" # ")*ir -i@i-i"+ #r ")* ,!r,s* # ?!s"ing in"*rs*
*>!i"i*s @*"/**n ")*= " ,,r,ri"* s"g*. T)* -i@i-i"+ # *) n *;*r+
?in" "r" #*sr ;is ;is " ,-in"i##&-i=n" nn" @* @i#!r"* s i" is
?in" n s*;*r- -i@i-i"+. In ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*<
,,r"in=*n" # =,*ns"in @*"/**n "r" #*srs #r =Bing ,+=*n" "
")* ,-in"i## is n" ,*r=issi@-* s ")* ,-in"i##&-i=n" )s ")* rig)" "
r*;*r ")* *n"ir* =!n" #r= ")* *si*s" "rg*"s&s-;*n" *#*nn".
5. In L/ # Tr"s< 2n En.< 1662 @+ J!s"i* .P. Sing)< i" )s
@**n @s*r;* ")" in =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ,,r"in=*n" #
=,*ns"in @*"/**n "/ "r" #*srs is n" ,*r=issi@-*.
. In L/ # Tr"s @+ 3in#i*- n J-/i< 18") En.< 200<
")* !")r )s r*#*rr* " Performance Cars Ltd. v. Abraham [162 $1% G
::'< Baker v. Willoughby 1680 A.C. 48< Rogers on Unification of Tort
La! "ulti#le Tortfeasors$ %.&.'.R. v. (art [200:' E3HC 2450 $G%
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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"ortgage ')#ress Ltd. v. Boerman * Partners 166 $2% A-- E.R. 9: *".
n @s*r;* ")!s
3HERE "/ r =r* ,*,-* @+ ")*ir in*,*n*n" @r*)*s #
!"+ " ")* -i=n" !s* )i= " s!##*r is"in" in?!ri*s< n
s,*i- r!-*s r* r*>!ir*< #r *) "r"#*sr is -i@-* #r ")*
=g* /)i) )* !s* n n-+ #r ")" =g*. 3)*r*<
)/*;*r< "/ r =r* @r*)*s # !"+ @+ i##*r*n" ,*rsns !s*
")* -i=n" " s!##*r sing-*< ini;isi@-* in?!r+ ")* ,si"in is
=r* =,-i"*. T)* -/ in s!) s* is ")" ")* -i=n" is
*n"i"-* " s!* -- r n+ # ")*= #r ")* #!-- =!n" # )is -ss<
n *) is si " @* ?in"-+ n s*;*r--+ -i@-* #r i". I# ")*
-i=n" s!*s *#*nn" A @!" n" n C< i" is ,*n " A " s**B
n"ri@!"inK #r= n C in r*s,*" # ")*ir r*-"i;*
r*s,nsi@i-i"+ @!" ")is is =""*r =ng A< n C n *s n"
##*" ")* -i=n". T)is =*ns ")" s,*i- r!-*s r* n**ssr+ "
*- /i") ")* ,ssi@i-i"i*s # s!*ssi;* "ins in r*s,*" # ")"
-ss n # -i=s #r n"ri@!"in r in*=ni"+ @+ n* "r"#*sr
gins" ")* ")*rs. I" =+ @* gr*"-+ " ")* -i=n"s ;n"g*
" s)/ ")" )* )s s!##*r* ")* s=*< ini;isi@-* )r= " ")*
)ns # n!=@*r # *#*nn"s #r )* ")*r*@+ ;is ")* risB<
in)*r*n" in s*s /)*r* ")*r* r* i##*r*n" in?!ri*s< # #ining ")"n* *#*nn" is ins-;*n" $r !nins!r*% n @*ing !n@-* "
**!"* ?!g=*n" gins" )i=. E;*n /)*r* -- ,r"ii,n"s r*
s-;*n"< s+s"*= /)i) *n@-* ")* -i=n" " s!* *) n*
n-+ #r ,r,r"in"* ,r" # ")* =g* /!- r*>!ir* )i= "
-!n) =!-"i,-* ,r**ings< s=* # /)i) =ig)" in;-;*
=,-* iss!*s # -i@i-i"+< !s"in n ,r#. As ")* -/ n/
s"ns< ")* -i=n" =+ si=,-+ -!n) ,r**ings gins" ")*
*si*s" "rg*"K. T)* s=* ,i"!r* is n"< # !rs*< s ""r"i;*
#r= ")* ,in" # ;i*/ # ")* s-;*n" *#*nn"< /) =+ *n !,rr+ing #!-- r*s,nsi@i-i"+ #r -ss in ")* !sing # /)i) )*
,-+* n-+ ,r"i-< *;*n s*nr+ r-*. T)!s s-ii"r =+
@* -i@-* in #!-- #r #i-ing " ,in" !" " )is -i*n" ")" ")*r* is
r*sn " @*-i*;* ")" ;-!"in n /)i) ")* -i*n" ,r,s*s "
-*n is s!s,*"< ")* ;-!*r @*ing ins-;*n"7 n n !i"r /i-- @*
-iB*-+ " rr+ s-* r*s,nsi@i-i"+ #r n*g-ig*n" #i-!r* " is;*r
#r! !ring =,n+ !i". A s!s"in* =,ign gins" ")*
r!-* # ?in" n s*;*r- -i@i-i"+ )s @**n =!n"* in ")is !n"r+
@+ *r"in ,r#*ssin- @i*s< /) );* rg!* ins"* #r r*gi=* # ,r,r"in"* -i@i-i"+K /)*r*@+< s gins" ")*
-i=n"< n n" =*r*-+ =ng *#*nn"s s gr!,< *)
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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*#*nn" /!- @*r n-+ )is s)r* # ")* -i@i-i"+. 3)i-* i" )s
n" @**n s!gg*s"* )*r* ")" s!) )ng* s)!- @* *"*n* "
,*rsn- in?!r+ -i=s< ")is )s !rr* in s=* A=*rin
?!risi"ins< /)*")*r @+ s""!"* r @+ ?!ii- *isin. H/*;*r!*s"in ris*s /)*r* ,*rsn is in?!r*
/i")!" n+ #!-" # )is /n< @!" @+ ")* =@in* *##*"s # ")*
n*g-ig*n* # "/ ,*rsns # /)= ")* n* is n" r*s,nsi@-* #r
")* ")*r. I" )s @**n s!,,s* ")" A !- ;i- )i=s*-#< s
gins" /) )s @**n in?!r* /i")!" n+ /n" # !* r* n
)is /n ,r"< # ")* s--* n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n* # ")ir
,*rsn . I" is "r!* +! /*r* in?!r* @+ =+ n*g-ig*n*< @!" i"/!- n" );* ),,*n* i# ) n" @**n n*g-ig*n" -s<
")*r*#r*< +! n n" s!* =*< r " -- *;*n"s n" ,r" #r= .
R**n" !")ri"+ is *i*-+ gins" --/ing s!) *#*n*<
n in n* ,r"i!-r -ss # s*s i" )s @**n *=,)"i--+
is--/*. I" =!s"< )/*;*r< @* ,*n " A " ns/*r " !
/*r* n" in?!r* @+ =+ n*g-ig*n* " --< @!" n-+ n /)--+ @+
s. I" s**=s " @* >!*s"in # #" r")*r ")n # -/ $s< /i")in
")* !s!- -i=i"s # ?!r+s isr*"in< ")* >!*s"in # ,ri="*
!s* is in -- rinr+ s*s% /)" r*s,*"i;* *gr**s # nn*"in< in Bin n *gr**< @*"/**n ")* =g* s!##*r* @+
n ")* in*,*n*n" n*g-ig*n" n!" # A n /i-- =B* i"
,r,*r " s+ ")" /s in?!r* @+ ")* n*g-ig*n* # A -n*< r
# -n*< r # @") A n
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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")* **ris* # !* r*< is r*-*;n" n-+ /)*r* ")* *#*nn" s+s
")" ")* ,-in"i## s!##*r* @+ )is /n n*g-ig*n*. 3)*r* n*g-ig*n"
"s # "/ r =r* in*,*n*n" ,*rsns );* @*"/**n ")*=
!s* =g* " ")ir< ")* s!##*r*r is n" ri;*n " ,,-+ n+s!) n-+sis " #in !" /)= )* n s!*. H* is *n"i"-* #
!rs*< /i")in ")* -i=i"s s*" @+ ")* g*n*r- r!-*s s " r*="*n*ss
# =g* " s!* -- r n+ # ")* n*g-ig*n" ,*rsns. I" is n
n*rn # )is /)*")*r ")*r* is n+ !"+ # n"ri@!"in r
in*=ni"+ s @*"/**n ")s* ,*rsns< ")!g) in n+ s* )* n
n" r*;*r in ")* /)-* =r* ")n )is /)-* =g*.
9. In Palghat Coimbatore Trans#ort Co. Ltd. v. &arayanan<
[ILR $16:6% M. :0'< i" )s @**n )*- ")" /)*r* in?!r+ is !s* @+ ")*
/rng#!- " # "/ ,r"i*s< ")* ,-in"i## is n" @!n " s"ri" n-+sis #
")* ,ri="* r i==*i"* !s* # ")* *;*n" " #in !" /)= )* n s!*.
S!@?*" " ")* r!-*s s " r*="*n*ss # =g*< ")* ,-in"i## is *n"i"-* "
s!* -- r n+ # ")* n*g-ig*n" ,*rsns n i" is n n*rn # )is /)*")*r
")*r* is n+ !"+ # n"ri@!"in r in*=ni"+ s @*"/**n ")s* ,*rsns<
")!g) in n+ s* )* nn" r*;*r n ")* /)-* =r* ")n )is /)-*
=g*. H* )s rig)" " r*;*r ")* #!-- =!n" # =g*s #r= n+ #
")* *#*nn"s.
6. In &ational +nsurance Co. Ltd. v. P.A. ,ergis * -rs. [1661
$1% ACC 22'< i" )s @**n @s*r;* ")" ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* is
n* /)*n i*n" !rs n r*s!-"ing in?!ri*s n =g*s #-/ /i")!"
n+ n*g-ig*n* n ")* ,r" # ")* -i=n" @!" s r*s!-" # ")* n*g-ig*n*
n ")* ,r" # "/ r =r* ,*rsns. In s!) s*< ")* Tri@!n- s)!- ,ss
=,si"* *r** gins" /n*rs # @") ;*)i-*s. In United +ndia ire *
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
6/17Page 6
%enl. +ns. Co. Ltd. v. ,arghese * -rs . [1696 2 ACC 49: Q 1696 ACJ 482'<
i" )s @**n @s*r;* ")" in s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ")* in?!r* )s
,"in " ,r** gins" -- r n+ # ")* ?in" "r"#*srs. T)*r*#r*< ")*
ins!r*r nn" "B* *#*n* ")" "in is n" s!s"in@-* s ")* ")*r ?in"
"r" #*srs );* n" @**n =* ,r"i*s. Si=i-r is ")* ;i*/ "B*n in United
+ndia ire * %eneral +nsurance Co. Ltd. v. U.'. Prasad * -rs. [AIR 1695
(r. 10'. In Andhra "arine ')#orts /P0 Ltd. * Anr. v. P. Radhakrishnan
* -rs. [AIR 1694 M. :59'< i" )s @**n )*- ")" *;*r+ /rng *r is
-i@-* #r /)-* =g*s in ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* i# i" is
")*r/is* =* !".
Si=i-r is ")* ;i*/ "B*n in 1mt. 2undan Bala ,ora * Anr. v. 1tate
of U.P. [AIR 169: A--. 406'< /)*r* --isin @*"/**n @!s n r "B
,-*. N*g-ig*n* # @") ")* ri;*rs /s #!n. I" /s )*- ")" ")*+ /!-
@* ?in"-+ n s*;*r--+ -i@-* " ,+ ")* /)-* =g*s. In &arain 3evi *
-rs. v. 1aran 1ingh * -rs. [1696 2 ACC 11 $D*-.% Q 1696 ACJ 1119'
")*r* /s s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* @+ ri;*rs # "/ "r!Bs in;-;*
in n i*n" /)i) )i" ")* "*=, #r= "/ si*s. T)* ,r,r"in in /)i)
")* "/ ;*)i-*s =isn!"* r ##*n* /s n" *i*. I" /s )*- @+
")* Hig) C!r" ")" ")* Tri@!n- /s rig)" in )-ing ")* -i@i-i"+ # "r"
#*srs s ?in" n s*;*r-.
10. A F!-- *n) # ")* Hig) C!r" # (rn"B " ng-r* in
(rn"B S""* R Trns,r" Cr,r"in< ng-r* n *". ;. Ar!n
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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9
?in" "r" #*srs =* -i@-* " ,+ =,*ns"in " "B* ,r**ings "
s*""-* ")* *>!i"i*s s gins" ")*r ?in" "r" #*srs /) ) n" @**n
i=,-**. I" is ,*n " ")* i=,-** ?in" "r" #*sr " s!* ")* ")*r
/rng *r #"*r ")* *r** r /r is gi;*n " r*-i* " ")* *"*n" #
")*rs -i@i-i"+. I" )s @**n -i /n ")" ")* -/ in %aneshs s* $s!,r%
)s @**n rig)"-+ -i /n n i" is n" n**ssr+ " i=,-* -- ?in" "r"
#*srs n !* " #i-!r* # i=,-*=*n" # -- ?in" "r" #*srs<
=,*ns"in nn" @* r*!* " ")* *"*n" # n*g-ig*n* #
nni=,-** "r" #*srs. Nni=,-*=*n" # n* # ")* ?in" "r"
#*srs is n" *#*n* " r*!* ")* =,*ns"in ,+@-* " ")* -i=n".
In !r ,inin< ")* -/ ,,*rs " );* @**n rr*"-+ s""* in 21RTC v.
Arun 4 Aravind $s!,r%.
12. A F!-- *n) # M)+ Pr*s) Hig) C!r" in 1mt. 1ushila
Bhadoriya * -rs. v. ".P. 1tate Road Trans#ort Cor#n. * Anr . [2005 $1%
MPLJ :82' )s -s -i /n ")" in s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ")*
-i@i-i"+ is ?in" n s*;*r- n i" is ,*n " i=,-* ")* ri;*r< /n*r n
")* ins!r*r n* # ")* ;*)i-*s " r*;*r ")* /)-* =!n" #r= n* # ")*
?in" "r" #*srs. As " ,,r"in=*n" -s< i" )s @**n @s*r;* ")" @")
")* ;*)i-*s /i-- @* ?in"-+ n s*;*r--+ -i@-* " ,+ ")* =,*ns"in.
On* ")* n*g-ig*n* n =,*ns"in is *"*r=in*< i" is n" ,*r=issi@-*
" ,,r"in ")* =,*ns"in @*"/**n ")* "/ s i" is i##i!-" " *"*r=in*
")* ,,r"in=*n" in ")* @s*n* # ")* ri;*rs # @") ")* ;*)i-*s
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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,,*ring in ")* /i"n*ss @. T)*r*#r*< ")*r* nn" @* ,,r"in=*n" #
")* -i= @*"/**n ")* ?in" "r" #*srs. T)* r*-*;n" ,r"in # *isin #
F!-- *n) is *"r"* )*r*!n*r
3)*n in?!r+ is !s* s r*s!-" # n*g-ig*n* # "/ ?in"
"r"#*srs< -i=n" is n" r*>!ir* " -+ )is #ing*r n ")* *"
,*rsn r*gring )is ,r,r"in # -i@i-i"+. In ")* @s*n* # n+
*;i*n* *n@-ing ")* C!r" " is"ing!is) ")* " # *) ?in"
"r"#*sr< -i@i-i"+ n @* #s"*n* n @") ")* "r"#*srs
?in"-+ n in s* n-+ n* # ")* ?in" "r"#*srs is i=,-**
s ,r"+< ")*n *n"ir* -i@i-i"+ n @* #s"*n* !,n n* # ")* ?in""r"#*srs. I# @") ")* ?in" "r"#*srs r* @*#r* ")* C!r" n
")*r* is s!##ii*n" *;i*n* r*gring ")* " # *) "r"#*srs
n i" is ,ssi@-* #r ")* C!r" " ,,r"in ")* -i= nsi*ring
")* *" n"!r* # n*g-ig*n* @+ @") ")* ?in" "r"#*srs< i"
=+ ,,r"in ")* -i=. H/*;*r< i" is n" n**ssr+ "
,,r"in ")* -i= /)*n i" is n" ,ssi@-* " *"*r=in* ")* r"i
# n*g-ig*n* # ?in" "r"#*srs. In s!) s*s< ?in" "r"#*srs
/i-- @* ?in"-+ n s*;*r--+ -i@-* " ,+ ")* =,*ns"in.
On ")* s=* ,rini,-*< in ")* s* # ?in" "r" #*srs /)*r* ")*
-i@i-i"+ is ?in" n s*;*r-< i" is ")* )i* # ")* -i=n" "
-i= =g*s #r= ")* /n*r n ri;*r n ins!r*r # @") ")*
;*)i-*s r n+ n* # ")*=. I# -i= is =* gins" n* # ")*=<
*n"ir* =!n" # =,*ns"in n !n" # in?!r+ r *") n
@* i=,s* gins" ")* /n*r< ri;*r n ins!r*r # ")" ;*)i-*
s ")*ir -i@i-i"+ is ?in" n s*;*r- n ")* -i=n" n r*;*r
")* =!n" #r= n+ n* # ")*=. T)*r* n n" @*
,,r"in=*n" # -i= # *) "r" #*srs in ")* @s*n* #
,r,*r n g*n" *;i*n* n r*r n i" is n" n**ssr+ "
,,r"in ")* -i=.
T s!= !,< /* )- s !n*r
$i% O/n*r< ri;*r n ins!r*r # n* # ")* ;*)i-*s n @* s!*
n i" is n" n**ssr+ " s!* /n*r< ri;*r n ins!r*r # @") ")*;*)i-*s. C-i=n" =+ i=,-* ")* /n*r< ri;*r n ins!r*r #
@") ")* ;*)i-*s r n+n* # ")*=.
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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10
$ii% T)*r* n n" @* ,,r"in=*n" # ")* -i@i-i"+ # ?in"
"r"#*srs. In s* @") ")* ?in" "r"#*srs r* i=,-** s
,r"+ n i# ")*r* is s!##ii*n" ="*ri- n r*r< ")*n ")*
>!*s"in # ,,r"in=*n" n @* nsi*r* @+ ")* C-i=sTri@!n-. H/*;*r< n g*n*r- ,rini,-*s # J/< ")*r* is n
n**ssi"+ " ,,r"in ")* in"*r s* -i@i-i"+ # ?in" "r"#*srs.
R*#*r*n* is ns/*r* ring-+. A,,*- @* ,-* @*#r*
,,r,ri"* *n) #r )*ring.K
1:. In !r ,inin< ")* -/ -i /n @+ ")* M)+ Pr*s)
Hig) C!r" in 1mt. 1ushila Bhadoriya $s!,r% is -s in "!n* /i") ")*
*isins # ")* Hig) C!r" # (rn"B in %anesh $s!,r% n Arun 4
Aravind $s!,r%. H/*;*r< " ")* s=* "i=*< s!##i* i" " -ri#+ ")" *;*n i#
-- ")* ?in" "r" #*srs r* i=,-** n @") ")* ri;*rs );* *n"*r* ")*
/i"n*ss @ n ")* "ri@!n- r ")* !r" is @-* " *"*r=in* ")* *"*n" #
n*g-ig*n* # *) # ")* ri;*r ")" is #r ")* ,!r,s* # in"*r s* -i@i-i"+
@*"/**n ")* ?in" "r" #*srs @!" ")*ir -i@i-i"+ /!- r*=in ?in" n
s*;*r- s s " s"is#+ ")* ,-in"i##&-i=n".
14. T)*r* is i##*r*n* @*"/**n n"ri@!"r+ n =,si"*
n*g-ig*n*. In ")* s* # n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*< ,*rsn /) )s
)i=s*-# n"ri@!"* " ")* *"*n" nn" -i= =,*ns"in #r ")* in?!ri*s
s!s"in* @+ )i= in ")* i*n" " ")* *"*n" # )is /n n*g-ig*n*7
/)*r*s in ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ,*rsn /) )s s!##*r* )s
n" n"ri@!"* " ")* i*n" @!" ")* !"=* # =@in"in #
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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n*g-ig*n* # "/ r =r* ")*r ,*rsns. T)is C!r" in T.-. Anthony v.
2arvarnan * -rs. [2009 $:% SCC 849' )s )*- ")" in s* # n"ri@!"r+
n*g-ig*n*< in?!r* n** n" *s"@-is) ")* *"*n" # r*s,nsi@i-i"+ # *)
/rng *r s*,r"*-+< nr is i" n**ssr+ #r ")* !r" " *"*r=in* ")*
*"*n" # -i@i-i"+ # *) /rng *r s*,r"*-+. I" is n-+ in ")* s* #
n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n* ")" ")* in?!r* )i=s*-# )s n"ri@!"* @+ )is
n*g-ig*n* in ")* i*n". E"*n" # )is n*g-ig*n* is r*>!ir* " @*
*"*r=in* s =g*s r*;*r@-* @+ )i= in r*s,*" # ")* in?!ri*s );* "
@* r*!* in ,r,r"in " )is n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*. T)* r*-*;n"
,r"in is *"r"* )*r*!n*r
. C=,si"* n*g-ig*n* r*#*rs " ")* n*g-ig*n* n ")* ,r" #
"/ r =r* ,*rsns. 3)*r* ,*rsn is in?!r* s r*s!-" # n*g-ig*n* n ")* ,r" # "/ r =r* /rng *rs< i" is si ")"
")* ,*rsn /s in?!r* n !n" # ")* =,si"* n*g-ig*n* #
")s* /rng*rs. In s!) s*< *) /rng *r< is ?in"-+ n
s*;*r--+ -i@-* " ")* in?!r* #r ,+=*n" # ")* *n"ir* =g*s
n ")* in?!r* ,*rsn )s ")* )i* # ,r**ing gins" -- r
n+ # ")*=. In s!) s*< ")* in?!r* n** n" *s"@-is) ")*
*"*n" # r*s,nsi@i-i"+ # *) /rng*r s*,r"*-+< nr is i"
n**ssr+ #r ")* !r" " *"*r=in* ")* *"*n" # -i@i-i"+ # *)
/rng*r s*,r"*-+. On ")* ")*r )n /)*r* ,*rsn s!##*rsin?!r+< ,r"-+ !* " ")* n*g-ig*n* n ")* ,r" # n")*r ,*rsn
r ,*rsns< n ,r"-+ s r*s!-" # )is /n n*g-ig*n*< ")*n ")*
n*g-ig*n* # ")* ,r" # ")* in?!r* /)i) n"ri@!"* " ")*
i*n" is r*#*rr* " s )is n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*. 3)*r* ")*
in?!r* is g!i-"+ # s=* n*g-ig*n*< )is -i= #r =g*s is n"
*#*"* =*r*-+ @+ r*sn # ")* n*g-ig*n* n )is ,r" @!" ")*
=g*s r*;*r@-* @+ )i= in r*s,*" # ")* in?!ri*s s"ns
r*!* in ,r,r"in " )is n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*.
8. T)*r*#r*< /)*n "/ ;*)i-*s r* in;-;* in n i*n"< n
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
12/17Page 12
12
n* # ")* ri;*rs -i=s =,*ns"in #r= ")* ")*r ri;*r
--*ging n*g-ig*n*< n ")* ")*r ri;*r *ni*s n*g-ig*n* r
-i=s ")" ")* in?!r* -i=n" )i=s*-# /s n*g-ig*n"< ")*n i"
@*=*s n**ssr+ " nsi*r /)*")*r ")* in?!r* -i=n" /sn*g-ig*n" n i# s< /)*")*r )* /s s-*-+ r ,r"-+ r*s,nsi@-*
#r ")* i*n" n ")* *"*n" # )is r*s,nsi@i-i"+< ")" is )is
n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*. T)*r*#r* /)*r* ")* in?!r* is )i=s*-#
,r"-+ -i@-*< ")* ,rini,-* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* /i-- n"
,,-+ nr n ")*r* @* n !"="i in#*r*n* ")" ")* n*g-ig*n*
/s 5050 s )s @**n ss!=* in ")is s*. T)* Tri@!n- !g)"
" );* *=in* ")* *"*n" # n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n* # ")*
,,*--n" n ")*r*@+ ;i* n#!sin @*"/**n =,si"*
n*g-ig*n* n n"ri@!"r+ n*g-ig*n*. T)* Hig) C!r" )s
#i-* " rr*" ")* si *rrr.K
15. T)* *isin in T.-. Anthony v. 2arvarnan * -rs. $s!,r% )s
@**n r*-i* !,n in Andhra Pradesh 1tate Road Trans#ort Cor#n. * Anr. v.
2 (emlatha * -rs. [2009 $% SCC 88'.
1. In Paan 2umar * Anr. v. (arkishan 3ass "ohan Lal *
-rs. [2014 $:% SCC 560'< ")* *isins in T.-. Anthony $s!,r% n
(emlatha $s!,r% );* @**n ##ir=*< n ")is C!r" )s -i /n ")"
/)*r* ,-in"i##&-i=n" )i=s*-# is #!n " @* n*g-ig*n" ?in"-+ n
s*;*r--+< -i@i-i"+ nn" ris* n ")* ,-in"i##s -i= " ")* *"*n" # )is
/n n*g-ig*n*< s =+ @* >!n"i#i*< /i-- );* " @* s*;*r*. H* is
*n"i"-* " =g*s n" ""ri@!"@-* " )is /n n*g-ig*n*. T)*
-/&is"in"in /i") r*s,*" " n"ri@!"r+ s /*-- s =,si"* n*g-ig*n*
)s @**n nsi*r* @+ ")is C!r" in "achindranath 2ernath 2asar v. 3.1.
"ylara##a * -rs. [2009 $1:% SCC 169' n -s s " ?in" "r" #*srs.
T)is C!r" )s r*#*rr* " C)r-*s/r") P*r+ n n*g-ig*n* s " !s*
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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1:
# "in in r*gr " ?in" "r" #*srs ")!s
42. Jin" "r"#*srs< s ,*r 10 ") En. # Charlesorth * Percy
on &egligence< );* @**n *sri@* s !n*r 3rng*rs r* **=* " @* ?in" "r"#*srs< /i")in ")*
=*ning # ")* r!-*< /)*r* ")* !s* # "in gins" *) #
")*= is ")* s=*< n=*-+< ")" ")* s=* *;i*n* /!- s!,,r"
n "in gins" ")*=< ini;i!--+.. Aring-+< ")*+ /i-- @*
?in"-+ -i@-* #r "r" /)i) ")*+ @") ==i" r #r /)i) ")*+
r* r*s,nsi@-* @*!s* ")* -/ i=,!"*s ")* ==issin # ")*
s=* /rng#!- " " "/ r =r* ,*rsns " ")* s=* "i=*. T)is
!rs in s*s # $% g*n+7 $@% ;iri!s -i@i-i"+7 n $%
/)*r* "r" is ==i""* in ")* !rs* # ?in" "< /)i-s"
,!rs!ing ==n ,!r,s* gr** @*"/**n ")*=.K
T)* >!*s"in -s ris*s s " ")* r*=*i*s ;i-@-* " n* # ")*
?in" "r" #*srs #r= /)= =,*ns"in )s @**n r*;*r*. 3)*n ")*
")*r ?in" "r" #*sr )s n" @**n i=,-**< @;i!s-+ >!*s"in #
n*g-ig*n* # nni=,-** ri;*r !- n" @* *i* ,,r"in=*n" #
=,si"* n*g-ig*n* nn" @* =* in ")* @s*n* # i=,-*=*n" # ?in"
"r" #*sr. T)!s< i" /!- @* ,*n " ")* i=,-** ?in" "r" #*srs #"*r
=Bing ,+=*n" # =,*ns"in< s s " s!* ")* ")*r ?in" "r" #*sr n
" r*;*r #r= )i= ")* n"ri@!"in " ")* *"*n" # )is n*g-ig*n*. H/*;*r<
in s* /)*n @") ")* "r" #*srs r* @*#r* ")* !r"&"ri@!n-< i# *;i*n* is
s!##ii*n"< i" =+ *"*r=in* ")* *"*n" # ")*ir n*g-ig*n* s ")" n* ?in" "r"
#*sr n r*;*r ")* =!n" s *"*r=in* #r= ")* ")*r ?in" "r" #*sr in
")* **!"in ,r**ings< /)*r*s ")* -i=n" )s rig)" " r*;*r ")*
=,*ns"in #r= @") r n+ n* # ")*=. T)is C!r" in &ational
+nsurance Co. Ltd. v. Challa Bharathamma * -rs. [2004 $9% SCC 518' /i")
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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14
r*s,*" " =* # r*;*r+ )s -i /n ")!s
1:. T)* r*si!- >!*s"in is /)" /!- @* ")* ,,r,ri"*
ir*"in. Cnsi*ring ")* @*n*#ii- @?*" # ")* A"< i" /!-
@* ,r,*r #r ")* ins!r*r " s"is#+ ")* /r< ")!g) in -/ i" )s
n -i@i-i"+. In s=* s*s ")* ins!r*r )s @**n gi;*n ")* ,"in
n -i@*r"+ " r*;*r ")* =!n" #r= ")* ins!r*. Fr ")*
,!r,s* # r*;*ring ")* =!n" ,i #r= ")* /n*r< ")*
ins!r*r s)-- n" @* r*>!ir* " #i-* s!i". I" =+ ini"i"*
,r**ing @*#r* ")* n*rn* E*!"i;* C!r" s i# ")* is,!"*
@*"/**n ")* ins!r*r n ")* /n*r /s ")* s!@?*" =""*r #
*"*r=in"in @*#r* ")* Tri@!n- n ")* iss!* is *i* gins"
")* /n*r n in #;!r # ")* ins!r*r. *#r* r*-*s* # ")*=!n" " ")* -i=n"s< /n*r # ")* ##*ning ;*)i-* s)--
#!rnis) s*!ri"+ #r ")* *n"ir* =!n" /)i) ")* ins!r*r /i-- ,+
" ")* -i=n"s. T)* ##*ning ;*)i-* s)-- @* "")*< s ,r"
# ")* s*!ri"+. I# n**ssi"+ ris*s ")* E*!"i;* C!r" s)-- "B*
ssis"n* # ")* n*rn* R*gin- Trns,r" A!")ri"+. T)*
E*!"ing C!r" s)-- ,ss ,,r,ri"* r*rs in rn* /i")
-/ s " ")* =nn*r in /)i) ")* /n*r # ")* ;*)i-* s)-- =B*
,+=*n" " ")* ins!r*r. In s* ")*r* is n+ *#!-" i" s)-- @* ,*n
" ")* E*!"ing C!r" " ir*" r*-i"in @+ is,s- # ")*s*!ri"i*s " @* #!rnis)* r #r= n+ ")*r ,r,*r"+ r ,r,*r"i*s
# ")* /n*r # ")* ;*)i-* i.*. ")* ins!r*. In ")* ins"n" s*
nsi*ring ")* >!n"!= in;-;* /* -*;* i" " ")* isr*"in #
")* ins!r*r " *i* /)*")*r i" /!- "B* s"*,s #r r*;*r+ #
")* =!n" #r= ")* ins!r*.K
18. In -riental +nsurance Co. Ltd. v. &an5a##an * -rs . [2004
$1:% SCC 224' -s< ")is C!r" )s -i /n ")!s
9. T)*r*#r*< /)i-* s*""ing si* ")* ?!g=*n" # ")* Hig) !r"
/* ir*" in "*r=s # /)" )s @**n s""* in Bal5it 2aur s s*
[2004 $2% SCC 1' ")" ")* ins!r*r s)-- ,+ ")* >!n"!= #
=,*ns"in #i* @+ ")* Tri@!n-< @!" /)i) ")*r* /s n
is,!"* ris*< " ")* r*s,n*n"s-i=n"s /i")in ")r** =n")s
#r= "+. T)* #r ")* ,!r,s* # r*;*ring ")* s=* #r= ")*
ins!r*< ")* ins!r*r s)-- n" @* r*>!ir* " #i-* s!i". I" =+ini"i"* ,r**ing @*#r* ")* n*rn* E*!"ing C!r" s i#
8/9/2019 Khenyei v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors]
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")* is,!"* @*"/**n ")* ins!r*r n ")* /n*r /s ")* s!@?*"
=""*r # *"*r=in"in @*#r* ")* Tri@!n- n ")* iss!* is
*i* gins" ")* /n*r n in #;!r # ")* ins!r*r. *#r*
r*-*s* # ")* =!n" " ")* ins!r*< /n*r # ")* ;*)i-* s)-- @*iss!* n"i* n )* s)-- @* r*>!ir* " #!rnis) s*!ri"+ #r ")*
*n"ir* =!n" /)i) ")* ins!r*r /i-- ,+ " ")* -i=n"s. T)*
##*ning ;*)i-* s)-- @* "")*< s ,r" # ")* s*!ri"+. I#
n**ssi"+ ris*s ")* E*!"ing C!r" s)-- "B* ssis"n* # ")*
n*rn* R*gin- Trns,r" !")ri"+. T)* E*!"ing C!r"
s)-- ,ss ,,r,ri"* r*rs in rn* /i") -/ s " ")*
=nn*r in /)i) ")* ins!r*< /n*r # ")* ;*)i-* s)-- =B*
,+=*n" " ")* ins!r*r. In s* ")*r* is n+ *#!-" i" s)-- @* ,*n
" ")* E*!"ing C!r" " ir*" r*-i"in @+ is,s- # ")*
s*!ri"i*s " @* #!rnis)* r #r= n+ ")*r ,r,*r"+ r ,r,*r"i*s
# ")* /n*r # ")* ;*)i-*< ")* ins!r*. T)* ,,*- is is,s* #
in ")* #r*si "*r=s< /i") n r*r s " s"s.K
19. T)is C!r" in Challa Bharathamma * Nn?,,n $s!,r% )s
*-" /i") ")* @r*) # ,-i+ ni"ins @+ ")* /n*r /)*n ")* ins!r*r
/s sB* " ,+ ")* =,*ns"in #i* @+ ")* "ri@!n- n ")* rig)" "
r*;*r ")* s=* /s gi;*n " ")* ins!r*r in ")* **!"ing !r" n*rn*
i# ")* is,!"* @*"/**n ")* ins!r*r n ")* /n*r /s ")* s!@?*"=""*r #
*"*r=in"in #r ")* "ri@!n- n ")* iss!* )s @**n *i* in #;!r #
")* ins!r*. T)* s=* n-g+ n @* ,,-i* " ")* ins"n" s*s s ")*
-i@i-i"+ # ")* ?in" "r" #*sr is ?in" n s*;*r-. In ")* ins"n" s*< ")*r*
is *"*r=in"in # in"*r s* -i@i-i"+ # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* " ")* *"*n" #
n*g-ig*n* # 2&:r n 1&:r # r*s,*"i;* ri;*rs. T)!s< ")* ;*)i-*
"ri-r"r!B /)i) /s n" ins!r* /i") ")* ins!r*r< /s n*g-ig*n" " ")*
*"*n" # 2&:r. I" /!- @* ,*n " ")* ins!r*r @*ing ins!r*r # ")* @!s #"*r
=Bing ,+=*n" " -i=n" " r*;*r #r= ")* /n*r # ")* "ri-r"r!B
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1
")* =!n" " ")* #r*si *"*n" in ")* **!"in ,r**ings. H ")*r*
@**n n *"*r=in"in # ")* in"*r s* -i@i-i"+ #r /n" # *;i*n* r ")*r
?in" "r" #*sr ) n" @**n i=,-**< i" /s n" ,*n " s*""-* s!)
is,!"* n " r*;*r ")* =!n" in **!"in ,r**ings @!" ")* r*=*+
/!- @* " #i-* n")*r s!i" r ,,r,ri"* ,r**ings in rn* /i")
-/.
3)" *=*rg*s #r= ")* #r*si is!ssin is s #--/s
$i% In ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ,-in"i##&-i=n" is *n"i"-* "
s!* @") r n+ n* # ")* ?in" "r" #*srs n " r*;*r ")* *n"ir*
=,*ns"in s -i@i-i"+ # ?in" "r" #*srs is ?in" n s*;*r-.
$ii% In ")* s* # =,si"* n*g-ig*n*< ,,r"in=*n" #
=,*ns"in @*"/**n "/ "r" #*srs ;is ;is ")* ,-in"i##&-i=n" is n"
,*r=issi@-*. H* n r*;*r " )is ,"in /)-* =g*s #r= n+ # ")*=.
$iii% In s* -- ")* ?in" "r" #*srs );* @**n i=,-** n *;i*n* is
s!##ii*n"< i" is ,*n " ")* !r"&"ri@!n- " *"*r=in* in"*r s* *"*n" #
=,si"* n*g-ig*n* # ")* ri;*rs. H/*;*r< *"*r=in"in # ")* *"*n"
# n*g-ig*n* @*"/**n ")* ?in" "r" #*srs is n-+ #r ")* ,!r,s* # ")*ir
in"*r s* -i@i-i"+ s ")" n* =+ r*;*r ")* s!= #r= ")* ")*r #"*r
=Bing /)-* # ,+=*n" " ")* ,-in"i##&-i=n" " ")* *"*n" i" )s
s"is#i* ")* -i@i-i"+ # ")* ")*r. In s* @") # ")*= );* @**n
i=,-** n ")* ,,r"in=*n"& *"*n" # ")*ir n*g-ig*n* )s @**n
*"*r=in* @+ ")* !r"&"ri@!n-< in =in s* n* ?in" "r" #*sr n
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18
r*;*r ")* =!n" #r= ")* ")*r in ")* **!"in ,r**ings.
$i;% I" /!- n" @* ,,r,ri"* #r ")* !r"&"ri@!n- " *"*r=in* ")*
*"*n" # =,si"* n*g-ig*n* # ")* ri;*rs # "/ ;*)i-*s in ")* @s*n*
# i=,-*=*n" # ")*r ?in" "r" #*srs. In s!) s*< i=,-** ?in"
"r" #*sr s)!- @* -*#"< in s* )* s *sir*s< " s!* ")* ")*r ?in" "r"
#*sr in in*,*n*n" ,r**ings #"*r ,ssing # ")* *r** r /r.
16. R*s!-"n"-+< ")* ,,*-s r* --/*. T)* ?!g=*n" n r*r
,ss* @+ ")* Hig) C!r" is )*r*@+ s*" si*. Pr"i*s " @*r ")* s"s s
in!rr*.
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