In Brief
A fire destroyed a plastic manufacturing factory in November 1999. The owner's insurance claim reached India's consumer court, which approved part of the claim (Rs. 79.34 lakh) but the insurer appealed. The Supreme Court held the claim was filed within the legal timeframe because the insurer's appointment of investigators kept creating new legal obligations. The Court upheld the surveyor's loss assessment over the insurer's later investigation report, finding the surveyor's detailed evaluation more credible. However, the Court reduced the interest rate from 12% to 9% per annum, as no specific justification existed for the higher rate. The appeal was partly allowed with modified terms."
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.