In Brief
A 26-year-old teacher was killed in a bus accident in Hooghly, West Bengal, insured with National Insurance Company. His mother sought compensation before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal in Kolkata (where the insurer's office was located). The Tribunal awarded Rs. 16,12,200. The High Court set aside the award, holding the Tribunal lacked territorial jurisdiction since the accident and claimant's residence were in Hooghly. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that under Section 166(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, an insurer's principal office location gives jurisdiction, and territorial jurisdiction objections cannot invalidate a substantive award absent failure of justice. The benevolent purpose of accident compensation laws requires remedial interpretation.
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