In Brief
A truck driver met with an accident in 1999 while his driving license had been expired for three years. The driver claimed compensation under the Workmen's Compensation Act, impleading the vehicle owner (appellant) and the insurer. The High Court held the owner liable due to the expired license. The Supreme Court upheld this, holding that although the owner verified the license at hiring, he had a duty to ensure it remained valid. The owner's failure to monitor license renewal over three years amounted to gross negligence. Under the Compensation Act (which grants statutory succor to workers), the owner remained liable despite the driver's negligence.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.