In Brief
The appellants sought compensation for the death of Ram Kanwar, allegedly caused by a tractor operated by the insured driver. The Motor Accident Tribunal awarded Rs. 21,38,000, but the High Court reversed the award, finding that the claimants had fabricated the case. The Supreme Court upheld the reversal. Critical defects included: no post-mortem examination despite an alleged fatal accident; a month-long delay in filing a complaint despite three eyewitnesses; absence of hospital records substantiating injuries; and inconsistent witness testimony. The Court found the Tribunal had failed to examine these crucial evidentiary gaps, making its reasoning perfunctory. The cumulative circumstances supported the High Court's conclusion that a false claim had been staged.
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