In Brief
A truck owner's insurance claim was rejected because he could not produce the original or certified duplicate copy of the vehicle's registration certificate—both unavailable because the truck was stolen and the RTO locked the registration details. However, the owner had provided a photocopy and registration particulars. The Supreme Court held that an insurance company cannot refuse to settle a valid, paid claim on such technical grounds when the insured has made reasonable efforts and the documents are unobtainable through circumstances beyond their control. The Court allowed the appeal, directing the insurer to pay the claim of ₹12 lakhs plus 7% interest and ₹25,000 litigation costs.
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