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CHAPTER: II
THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988:
HISTORY, OBJECT, SCOPE AND SALIENT
FEATURES
24
CHAPTER: II
THE MOTOR VEHICLES ACT, 1988:
HISTORY, OBJECT, SCOPE AND SALIENT
FEATURES
A. Introduction
With the development of civilization, act of negligence have become
actionable wrong. In the English Law, any person or the legal representative of
deceased person who expired on account of negligent act of other can besides
instituting criminal proceeding, recover damages under the Law of Torts.
Accountable negligence consist in the neglect of use of ordinary care or skill
towards a person to whom the defendant owes duty of observing ordinary care
and skill by which neglect the plaintiff have suffered injury to his person or
property. Thus, negligence accompanied with losses to the other party give rise
to an action1.
In order to give effective rights to the person injured or expired in an
accident, Fatal Accidents Act, 1885 was enacted in India. This Act provided only
a procedure and a right of named legal heirs to claim compensation from the
person committing negligence. This enactment has worked in India for a
comfortable long period. Because of increase in automation and consequential
losses of life and property in accident, it was considered that to give relief to the
victims of accident claims, an effective law should be brought in. To facilitate
1
Kunal Mehta,An Analyse of Law Relating to Accidents Claim in India, Accessed on Website,
www.legalservicesindia.com on 16.08.2010 at 06.42 p.m.
25
this, provisions have been inserted for compulsory third party insurance and to
provide a machinery of adjudication of claim in Motor Vehicle Act by amending
Act No.110 of 1956, by which Section 93 to 109 with reference to third party
insurance and Section 110(A) to 110(F) with reference to creation of Motor
Accident Claims Tribunal and procedure for adjudication of claim has been
provided. Initially the liability was restricted to a particular sum but after 1982
the liability of the Insurance Company has been made unlimited and even the
defences of the Insurance Companies have been restricted so as to ensure
payment of compensation to third parties. In the year 1982, a new concept of
providing interim compensation on No Fault basis have been introduced by
addition of Section 92(A) to 92(E). By the same amendment, relief has also been
given to those persons who expire by hit and run accidents, where the offending
vehicles are not identified2.
In 1988, a new Motor Vehicle Act has been introduced. Chapter 10 of the
new Act, provides for interim award. Chapter 11 provides for insurance of motor
vehicle against third party risk and Chapter 12 provides for the constitution of
Claims Tribunal and adjudication of claim and related matters. This law is still in
an era of serious changes. The Supreme Court has held number of times that this
is a welfare legislation and the interpretation of provision of this law is required
to be made so as to help the victim. In this process, the Supreme Court has
passed various judgments in the recent past, which have restricted the statutory
defences to the Insurance Company to a greater extent as law relating to burden
of proof have been totally changed. Limited defences as to not holding valid
driving license, use of vehicle for hire and reward, use of transport vehicle for
the purpose not allowed by permit are required to be proved in so stringent
manner that insurer are not getting advantage of these defences3.
2
3
Ibid.
Ibid.
26
B. History
I. Pre 1988 Position
Before, the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 came in to existence, the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1939 was applicable for all type of Motor Accidents. The
Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, consolidates and amends the law relating to motor
vehicles. This has been amended several times to keep it up to date. The need
was, however, felt that this Act should, now inter alia, take into account also
changes in the road transport technology, pattern of passenger and freight
movements, developments, of the road network in the country and
particularly the improved techniques in the motor vehicles management.
Various Committees4, like, National Transport Policy Committee, National
Police Commission, Road Safety Committee, Low Powered Two Wheelers
Committee, as also the Law Commission have gone into different aspects of
road transport. They have recommended updating, simplification and
rationalization of this law. Several Members of Parliament have also urged
for comprehensive review of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, to make it
relevant to the modern day requirements. A Working Group was, therefore,
constituted in January, 1984 to review all the provisions of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1939 and to submit draft proposals for a comprehensive
legislation to replace the existing Act. This Working Group took into account
the suggestions and recommendations earlier made by various bodies and
institutions like Central Institute of Road Transport (CIRT), Automotive
Research Association of India (ARAI), and other transport organizations
including, the manufacturers and the general public, Besides, obtaining
comments of State Governments on the recommendations of the Working
4
The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, Statement of Objects and Reasons
27
Group, these were discussed in a specially convened meeting of Transport

Ministers of all States and Union territories. Some of the more important
modifications so suggested related for taking care of a. The fast increasing number of both commercial vehicles and personal
vehicles in the country.
b. The need for encouraging adoption of higher technology in automotive
sector;
c. The greater flow of passenger and freight with the least impediments so
that islands of isolation are not created leading to regional or local
imbalances;
d. Concern for road safety standards, and pollution-control measures,
standards for transportation of hazardous and explosive materials;
e. Simplification of procedure and policy liberalizations for private sector
operations in the road transport field; and
f. Need for effective ways of tracking down traffic offenders5.
II. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

The Supreme Court in M. K. Kunhimohammed v. P. A. Ahmedkutty6,
has made certain suggestions to raise the limit of compensation payable as a
result of motor accidents in respect of death and permanent disablement in
the event of there being no proof of fault on the part of the person involved in
the accident and also in hit and run motor accidents and to remove certain
disparities in the liability of the insurer to pay compensation depending upon
5
6
Ibid.
M. K. Kunhimohammed v. P. A. Ahmedkutty, (1987) 4 S.C.C. 284
28
the class or type of vehicles involved in the accident. The above suggestions
made by the Supreme Court have been incorporated in the Bill of the Motor
Vehicles.
The proposed legislation has been prepared in the light of the above
background. Some of the more important provisions of the Bill provide for
the following matters, namely :a. Rationalization of certain definitions with additions of certain new
definitions of new types of vehicles.
b. Stricter procedures relating to grant of driving licences and the period of
validity thereof.
c. Laying down of standards for the components and parts of motor
vehicles.
d. Standards for anti-pollution control devices.
e. Provision for issuing fitness certificates of vehicles also by the
authorized testing stations.
f. Enabling provision for updating the system of registration marks.
g. Liberalized schemes for grant of stage carriage permit on non
nationalized routes, all-India Tourist permits and also national permits
for goods carriages.
h. Administration of the Solatium Scheme by the General Insurance
Corporation.
i. Provision for enhanced compensation in cases of no fault liability and
in hit and run motor accidents.
29
j. Provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of

actual liability to the victims of motor accidents irrespective of the class
of vehicles.
k. Maintenance of State registers for driving licences and vehicle
registration.
l. Constitution of Road Safety Councils7.
The Bill also seeks to provide for more deterrent punishment in the cases of
certain offences.
The above suggestions which were incorporated in the Motor Vehicles Bill
received the assent of the President on 14th October, 1988 and came on the
Statute Book as Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Act came into force with
effect from 1st July, 1989 replacing the Motor Vehicles Act, 19398.
The erstwhile Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 was repealed by section 217 of the
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. Said section 217 also repealed all laws
corresponding to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939, then being in force in any
State immediately before the commencement of the Act of 1988 in the
respective states9.
III. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994

The Act was amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994, which
came in to effect from 14.11.1994. After the coming into force of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988, Government received a number of representations and
suggestions from the State Government Transport Operators and members of
7
Supra n.4
Supra n.4
9
Supra n.4
8
30
public regarding the inconvenience faced by them because of the operation of

some of the Provisions of the 1988 Act10.
A Review Committee was, therefore, constituted by the Government in
March, 1990 to examine and review the 1988 Act. The recommendations of
the Review Committee were forwarded to the State Governments for
comments and they generally agree with these recommendations. The
Government also considered a large number of representations received, after
finalization of the Report of the Review Committee, from the transport
operators and public for making amendments in the Act. The draft of the
proposals based on the recommendation of the Review Committee and
representations from the public were placed before the Transport
Development Council for seeking their views in the matter. The important
suggestions made by the Transport Development Council relate to, or are on
account of, a.
The introduction of newer type of vehicles and fast increasing number of

both commercial and personal vehicles in the country.
b. Providing adequate compensation to victims of road accidents without

going into long drawn procedure.
c.
Protecting consumers interest in Transport Sector.
d. Concern for road safety standards, transport of hazardous chemicals and

pollution control.
e.
Delegation of greater powers to State Transport Authorities and

rationalizing the role of public authorities in certain matters.
10
The Motor Vehicle (Amendment) Act, 1994, Statement of Objects and Reasons
31
f.
The simplification of procedures and policy liberalization in the field of

Road Transport.
g. Enhancing penalties for traffic offenders11.
IV. Law Commissions 119th Report

The Law Commission in its 119th Report12 had recommended that every
application for a claim be made to the Claims Tribunal having jurisdiction
over the area in which the accident occurred or to the Claims Tribunal within
the local limits of whose jurisdiction the claimant resides or carries on
business or within the local limits of whose jurisdiction the defendant resides,
at the option of the claimant. The bill also makes necessary provision to give
effect to the said recommendation. Therefore, the proposed legislation has
been prepared in the light of the above background. The Bill inter alia
provides for
a.
Modification and amplification of certain definitions of new type of

vehicles.
b. Simplification of procedure for grant of driving licences.

c.
Putting restrictions on the alteration of vehicles.
d. Certain exemptions for vehicles running on non-polluting fuels.

e.
Ceilings on individuals or company holdings removed to curb

benami holdings.
11
12
Ibid.
See 119th Report of Law Commission
32
f.
States authorized to appoint one or more State Transport Appellate

Tribunals.
g. Punitive checks on the use of such components that do not conform to

the prescribed standards by manufactures, and also stocking / sale by
the traders.
h. Increase in the amount of compensation of the victims of hit and run
cases.
i.
Removal of time limit for filling of application by road accident

victims for compensation.
j.
Punishment in case of certain offences is made stringent.
k. A new pre-determined formula for payment of compensation to road

accident victims on the basis of age / income, which is more liberal and
rational13.
V. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2000

The Act was again amended by the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2000
Further amendments in the aforesaid Act have become necessary so as to
reduce the vehicular pollution and to ensure the safety of the road users. It is,
therefore, proposed to prohibit alteration of vehicles in any manner including
change of tyres of higher capacity. However, the alteration of vehicles with a
view to facilitating the use of eco-friendly fuel including Liquefied
Petroleum Gas (LPG) is being permitted. Further, it is proposed to confer
13
Ibid.
33
powers on the Central Government to allow the alteration of vehicles for

certain specified purposes14.
At present, the educational institutions are not required to obtain permits for
the operation of buses owned by them. It is proposed to bring the buses run
by these institutions within the purview of the aforesaid Act by requiring
them to obtain permits. It is also proposed to allow renewal of permits,
driving licences and registration certificates granted under the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1939 to be renewed under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, by
inserting new section 217 A. The proposed amendments are essential in the
overall interest of securing road safety and maintaining a clean
environment15.
VI. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2001

Third times amendments to this act were brought by the Motor Vehicles
(Amendment) Act, 2001. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is a Central
legislation through which the road transport is regulated in the country. By
the Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994, inter alia, amendments were
made for make special provisions under sections 66 & 67 so as to provide
that vehicles operating on ecofriendly fuels shall be exempted from the
requirements of permits and also the owners of such vehicles shall have the
discretion to fix fares and freights for carriage of passengers and goods. The
intention in bringing the said amendments was to encourage the operation of
vehicles with such eco-friendly fuels. However, it has been observed that
during the last several years, not only the supply of eco-friendly fuels like
CNG has increased tremendously, a large number of vehicles have come on
the road which in terms of sections 66 and 67, as amended by the Motor
14
15
Ibid.
34
Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994, are operating without any requirement of

permits and are, therefore, not subject to any control of the State
Governments. The number of such vehicles is likely to further increase
substantially16.
The aforesaid situation is likely to lead to indiscipline on the road and
consequent increase in the road accidents. It is, therefore, considered
essential to remove exemption provided under sections 66 and 67 of the said
Act to CNG operated vehicles so that vehicles which operate on eco-friendly
fuels are also covered by the terms and conditions applicable to all other
vehicles. The proposed amendments are essential in the overall interest of
securing road safety and maintaining a clean environment17.
C. Object and Scope

The Motor Vehicles Act18, 1988 has been applicable to whole India and has been
prepared to achieve the following objectives:
I.
To take care of the fast increasing number of both commercial vehicles

and personal vehicles in the country.
II.
The need for encouraging adoption of higher technology in automotive

sector.
III.
The greater flow of passenger and freight with the least impediments so
that islands of isolation are not created leading to regional or local
imbalances.
16
Ibid.
18
17
35
IV.
Concern for road safety standards, and pollution-control measures,

standards for transportation of hazardous and explosive materials.
V.
Simplification of procedure and policy liberalizations for private sector

operations in the road transport field.
VI.
VII.
Need for effective ways of tracking down traffic offenders.

Rationalization of certain definitions with additions of certain new
VIII.
Stricter procedures relating to grant of driving licences and the period of

validity thereof.
IX.
Laying down of standards for the components and parts of motor

vehicles;
X.
XI.
Standards for anti-pollution control devices.

Provision for issuing fitness certificates of vehicles also by the
authorized testing stations.
XII.
XIII.
Enabling provision for updating the system of registration marks.

Liberalized schemes for grant of stage carriage permit on non
nationalized routes, all-India Tourist permits and also national permits
for goods carriages.
XIV.
Administration of the Solatium Scheme by the General Insurance

Corporation.
XV.
Provision for enhanced compensation in cases of no fault liability and

in hit and run motor accidents.
36
XVI.
Provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of

actual liability to the victims of motor accidents irrespective of the class
of vehicles.
XVII.
Maintenance of State registers for driving licences and vehicle

registration.
XVIII.
XIX.
Constitution of Road Safety Councils.

The introduction of newer type of vehicles and fast increasing number
of both commercial and personal vehicles in the country.
XX.
Providing adequate compensation to victims of road accidents without

going into long drawn procedure.
XXI.
XXII.
Protecting consumers interest in Transport Sector.

Concern for road safety standards, transport of hazardous chemicals and
pollution control.
XXIII.
Delegation of greater powers to State Transport Authorities and

rationalizing the role of public authorities in certain matters.
XXIV.
The simplification of procedures and policy liberalization in the field of

Road Transport.
XXV.
XXVI.
Enhancing penalties for traffic offenders.

Modification and amplification of certain definitions of new type of
vehicles.
XXVII.
Simplification of procedure for grant of driving licences.
37
XXVIII.
XXIX.
XXX.
Putting restrictions on the alteration of vehicles.

Certain exemptions for vehicles running on non-polluting fuels.
Ceilings on individuals or company holdings removed to curb benami
holdings.
XXXI.
States authorized to appoint one or more State Transport Appellate

Tribunals.
XXXII.
Punitive checks on the use of such components that do not conform to

the prescribed standards by manufactures, and also stocking / sale by the
traders.
XXXIII.
Increase in the amount of compensation of the victims of hit and run

cases.
XXXIV.
Removal of time limit for filling of application by road accident victims

for compensation.
XXXV.
XXXVI.
Punishment in case of certain offences is made stringent.

A new pre-determined formula for payment of compensation to road
accident victims on the basis of age / income, which is more liberal and
rational19.
D. Definitions The Genus and Species of Motor Vehicles

Section 2 of the Motor Vehicles Act defines certain terms, which have been used
in the act, having the meaning as provided in the Motor Vehicles Act, unless the
context otherwise requires20. Some of the definitions of such terms is as under:19
20

Ibid., Section 2
38
I.
Area, in relation to any provision of this Act, means such area as the State
Government may, having regard to the requirements of that provision,
specify by notification in the Official Gazette.
II.
Articulated Vehicle means a motor vehicle to which a semi-trailer is

attached.
III.
Axle Weight means in relation to an axle of a vehicle the total weight

transmitted by the several wheels attached to that axle to the surface on
which the vehicle rests.
IV.
Certificate of Registration means the certificate issued by a competent

authority to the effect that a motor vehicle has been duly registered in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter IV of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
V.
Conductor, in relation to a stage carriage, means a person engaged in

collecting fares from passengers, regulating their entrance into, or exit
from, the stage carriage and performing such other functions as may be
prescribed.
VI.
Conductors Licence means the licence issued by a competent authority

under Chapter III of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, authorizing the person
specified therein to act as a conductor.
VII.
Contract Carriage means a motor vehicle which carries a passenger or

passengers for hire or reward and is engaged under a contract, whether
expressed or implied, for the use of such vehicle as a whole for the carriage
of passengers mentioned therein and entered into by a person with a holder
of a permit in relation to such vehicle or any person authorised by him in
this behalf on a fixed or an agreed rate or sum
39
(a) On a time basis, whether or not with reference to any route or

distance; or
(b) From one point to another, and in either case, without stopping to
pick up or set down passengers not included in the contract
anywhere during the journey, and includes
(i) A maxi cab; and
(ii) A motor cab notwithstanding that separate fares are charged for
its passengers.
VIII.
Dealer includes a person who is engaged

1. In building bodies for attachment to chassis;
2. Or in the repair of motor vehicles; or
3. In the business of hypothecation, leasing or hire-purchase of motor
vehicle.
IX.
Driver includes, in relation to a motor vehicle which is drawn by another

motor vehicle, the person who acts as a steersman of the drawn vehicle.
X.
Driving Licence means the licence issued by a competent authority under

Chapter II of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, authorizing the person
specified therein to drive, otherwise than as a learner, a motor vehicle or a
motor vehicle of any specified class or description.
XI.
Educational Institution Bus means an omnibus, which is owned by a

college, school or other educational institution and used solely for the
purpose of transporting students or staff of the educational institution in
connection with any of its activities.
40
XII.
Fare includes sums payable for a season ticket or in respect of the hire of a
contract carriage.
XIII.
Goods includes livestock, and anything (other than equipment ordinarily

used with the vehicle) carried by a vehicle except living persons, but does
not include luggage or personal effects carried in a motor car or in a trailer
attached to a motor car or the personal luggage of passengers travelling in
the vehicle.
XIV.
Goods Carriage means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted for use
solely for the carriage of goods, or any motor vehicle not so constructed or
adapted when used for the carriage of goods.
XV.
Gross Vehicle Weight means in respect of any vehicle the total weight of
the vehicle and load certified and registered by the registering authority as
permissible for that vehicle.
XVI.
Heavy Goods Vehicle means any goods carriage the gross vehicle weight
of which, or a tractor or a road-roller the unladen weight of either of which,
exceeds 12,000 kilograms.
XVII.
Heavy Passenger Motor Vehicle means any public service vehicle or

private service vehicle or educational institution bus or omnibus the gross
vehicle weight of any of which, or a motor car the unladen weight of which,
exceeds 12,000 kilograms.
XVIII.
Invalid Carriage means a motor vehicle specially designed and

constructed, and not merely adapted, for the use of a person suffering from
some physical defect or disability, and used solely by or for such a person.
41
XIX.
Learners Licence means the licence issued by a competent authority

under Chapter II of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, authorizing the person
specified therein to drive as a learner, a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle of
any specified class or description;
XX.
Licensing Authority means an authority empowered to issue licence under

Chapter II or, as the case may be, chapter III of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
XXI.
Light Motor Vehicle means a transport vehicle or omnibus the gross

vehicle weight of either of which or a motor car or tractor or road-roller the
unladen weight of any of which, does not exceed 7500 kilograms.
XXII.
Manufacturer means a person who is engaged in the manufacture of motor

vehicles.
XXIII.
Maxi Cab means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more
than six passengers, but not more than twelve passengers, excluding the
driver, for hire or reward.
XXIV.
Medium Goods Vehicle means any goods carriage other than a light motor
vehicle or a heavy goods vehicle.
XXV.
Medium Passenger Motor Vehicle means any public service vehicle or

private service vehicle, or educational institution bus other than a motor
cycle, invalid carriage, light motor vehicle or heavy passenger motor
vehicle.
XXVI.
Motor Cab means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry not
more than six passengers excluding the driver for hire or reward.
XXVII.
Motor Car means any motor vehicle other than a transport vehicle,
omnibus, road-roller, tractor, motor cycle or invalid carriage.
42
XXVIII.
Motor Cycle means a two-wheeled motor vehicle, inclusive of any

detachable side-car having an extra wheel, attached to the motor vehicle.
XXIX.
Motor Vehicle or Vehicle means any mechanically propelled vehicle

adapted for use upon roads whether the power of propulsion is transmitted
thereto from an external or internal source and includes a chassis to which a
body has not been attached and a trailer ; but does not include a vehicle
running upon fixed rails or a vehicle of a special type adapted for use only
in a factory or in any other enclosed premises or a vehicle having less than
four wheels fitted with engine capacity of not exceeding twenty-five cubic
centimeters.
XXX.
Tractor-trailer. - A Division Bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court

in United India Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pritpal Singh21 held that
even though trailer may be drawn by a motor vehicle if by if self is a motor
vehicle and both the Tractor & Trailer taken together would constitute a
transport vehicle.
XXXI.
Omnibus means any motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry more

than six persons excluding the driver.
XXXII.
Owner means a person in whose name a motor vehicle stands registered

and where such person is a minor, the guardian of such minor, and in
relation to a motor vehicle which is the subject of a hire-purchase,
agreement, or an agreement of lease or an agreement of hypothecation, the
person in possession of the vehicle under that agreement.
21
United India Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pritpal Singh (1996-2) 113 Punj. L.R. 49
43
XXXIII.
Permit means a permit issued by a State or Regional Transport Authority

or an authority prescribed in this behalf under this Act authorizing the use
of motor vehicle as a transport vehicle.
XXXIV.
Prescribed means prescribed by rules made under Motor Vehicles Act,

1988.
XXXV.
Private Service Vehicle means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to

carry more than six persons excluding the driver and ordinarily used by or
on behalf of the owner of such vehicle for the purpose of carrying persons
for, or in connection with, his trade or business otherwise than for hire or
reward but does not include a motor vehicle used for public purposes.
XXXVI.
Public Place means a road, street, way or other place, whether a

thoroughfare or not, to which the public have a right of access, and includes
any place or stand at which passengers are picked up or set down by a stage
carriage.
XXXVII.
Public Service Vehicle means any motor vehicle used or adapted to be

used for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward, and includes a maxi
cab, a motor cab, contract carriage, and stage carriage.
XXXVIII.
Registered Axle Weight means in respect of the axle of any vehicle, the
axle weight certified and registered by the registering authority as
permissible for that axle.
XXXIX.
Registering Authority means an authority empowered to register motor

vehicles under Chapter IV of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
XL.
Route means a line of travel which specifies the highway which may be
traversed by a motor vehicle between one terminus and another.
44
XLI.
Semi-Trailer means a vehicle not mechanically propelled ( other than a

trailer ), which is intended to be connected to a motor vehicle and which is
so constructed that a portion of it is super-imposed on, and a part of whose
weight is borne by, that motor vehicle.
XLII.
Stage Carriage means a motor vehicle constructed or adapted to carry

more than six passengers excluding the driver for hire or reward at separate
fares paid by or for individual passengers, either for the whole journey or
for stages of the journey.
XLIII.
State Government in relation to a Union territory, means the

Administrator thereof appointed under article 239 of the Constitution.
XLIV.
State transport undertaking means any undertaking providing road

transport service, where such undertaking is carried on by
a. The Central Government or a State Government ;
b. Any Road Transport Corporation established under section 3 of the
Road Transport Corporations Act, 1950 ;
c. Any municipality or any corporation or company owned or
controlled by the Central Government or one or more State
Governments, or by the Central Government and one or more State
Government ;
d. Zilla Parishad or any other similar local authority.
Explanation. For the purposes of this clause, road transport service
means a service of motor vehicles carrying passengers or goods or both by
road for hire or reward.
45
XLV.
Tourist Vehicle means a contract carriage constructed or adapted and

equipped and maintained in accordance with such specifications as may be
prescribed in this behalf.
XLVI.
Tractor means a motor vehicle which is not itself constructed to carry any
load (other than equipment used for the purpose of propulsion); but
excludes a road-roller.
XLVII.
Traffic Signs includes all signals, warning sign posts, direction posts,
markings on the road or other devices for the information, guidance or
direction of drivers of motor vehicles.
XLVIII.
Trailer means any vehicle, other than a semi-trailer and a sidecar, drawn or
intended to be drawn by a motor vehicle.
XLIX.
Transport Vehicle means a public service vehicle, a goods carriage, an

educational institution bus or a private service vehicle.
L.
Unladen Weight means the weight of a vehicle or trailer including all

equipment ordinarily used with the vehicle or trailer when working, but
excluding the weight of a driver or attendant; and where alternative parts or
bodies are used the unladen weight of the vehicle means the weight of the
vehicle with the heaviest such alternative part or body.
LI.
Weight means the total weight transmitted for the time being by the wheels
of a vehicle to the surface on which the vehicle rests22.
22
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 2
46
E. Concept and Meaning of Accident

The term accident has not been defined in the Motor Vehicles Act. The term
accident was first time defined in Fenton v. Thorley & Co. Ltd.23 as unlooked
for mishap which is not designed nor expected.
In United India Insurance Co, Ltd. v. Somari Devi24case it was observed by
the Patna High Court that the word accident generally denotes an event that
take place without ones foresight or expectation, i.e. an event which proceeds
from an unknown cause or is unusual effect of a known cause or contingency.
An accident which is unforeseen is accident which term means some unexpected
and unforeseen event or overlooked mischief. It is an event happening without
concurrence of will of the person by whose agency it was caused25.
It may incidentally be stated that the term accident for the purpose of law
relating to compensation includes any injury not designed by the injured himself,
and it is of consequence that the injury was designed and intended by the person
inflicting the same26.
In the matter of Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Dongkholam27it was held by
the High Court that the difference between a murder which is not an accident
and a murder which is an accident, depends on the proximity of the cause of
such murder. If the dominant intention of the act of felony is to kill any
particular person then such killing is not accidental murder but is a murder
simpliciter, while if the cause of murder or act of murder was originally not
23
Fenton v. Thorley & Co. Ltd., (1903) AC 448 (HL)

United India Insurance Co, Ltd. v. Somari Devi, 1999 ACJ 864(Pat.)
25
Ramdev Singh V. Chudasma v. Hansrajbhai V. Kodala 1999 ACJ 1129(Guj.) DB
26
Varkeychan v. Thomman, 1979 ACJ 319 (Ker.), Mathew Joseph v. Johny Sunny, 1995 ACJ 1183
(Ker.)
27
Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Dongkholam, 2007 ACJ 1973 (Gau.)
24
47
intended and the same was caused in furtherance of any other felonious act then
such murder is an accidental murder within the meaning of Motor Vehicles Act.
I. Accident and Other Allied Expressions like Act of God, Inevitable

Accident, Latent Defect, etc.
All causes of inevitable accident may be divided in to two classes:
1. Those which are occasioned by the elementary forces of nature un
connected with the agency of man or other causes; and
2. Those which have their origin either in whore or in part in the agency of
man, whether in acts of commission or omission, non-feasance or of
malfeasance, or in any other cause independent of the agency of natural
forces28.
The term act of God is applicable to the former class.
The expression act of God signifies operation of natural forces free from
human intervention, such as lightning or severe gale, snow storming,
hurricanes, cyclones and tidal waves and the like, though every non-expected
wind or storm cannot operate as excuse from liability if there is reasonable
possibility of anticipating their happening e.g. the possibility of extraordinary
floods in any particular region being within competence of authorities to take
precautionary steps29, i.e., some casualty which human foresight could not
discern and from consequences of which no human protection could be
provided30.
Ratan Lal & Dhiraj Lal, Law of Torts (2002) p.82

Sankardan Das v. Grid Corporation of Orissa Ltd. 1998 ACJ 1420 (Ori.) DB
30
A.Krishna Patra V. Orissa State Electricity Board, 1998 ACJ 155 (Ori.) DB
28
29
48
In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Economic Roadways31case it was

held that since act of God is a ground for defence, it is for the defendant to
prove that accident had occurred for reasons beyond his control.
In claims for compensation, governed by beneficial legislations, the defence

of act of God or of latent defect is a feeble defence. Tyres fleeing off running
vehicle and hitting deceased was not held an act of God by the Rajasthan
High Court32.
In Sarda Devi v. Birbal Ram33case, where the accident had occurred
because of tyre burst but the owner had failed to establish that tyre was road
worthy, the finding of tribunal that it was an act of God was reversed by
appellate court holding that owner and driver were negligent in operating the
bus with unroad-worthy tyres.
II. Defence of act of God, or of Latent defect feeble under

Compensation Laws
In the matter of Sharma v. Kartar Singh34 where a driver, continuing to
drive a jeep when there was storm despite request of occupants to stop,
cannot plead that accident was an act of God.
In R.J.Foujdar Bus Service v. Ganpat Singh35 where a driver took the bus
on the bridge when water was overflowing. The bus was washed away,
resulting in death of several passengers. Accident was not an act of God and
negligence of driver was writ large.
31
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Economic Roadways, 2002 ACJ 2024 (Mad.)
Ali Khan v. Vijay Singh, 2007 ACJ 350 (Raj.)
33
Sarda Devi v. Birbal Ram, 2009 ACJ 2780 (Raj.)
34
Sharma v. Kartar Singh, 2008 ACJ 892 (MP) DB
35
R.J.Foujdar Bus Service v. Ganpat Singh, 2007 ACJ 1591 (MP) DB
32
49
In Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation v. Bhoj Singh36,

the bus collided against a tree which caused tyre burst in the rear wheel,
causing injury to a passenger. The defence was that the tyre was in good
condition and that the burst was a vi major. The evidence was that the bus
was overloaded. It was held that the tyre burst was due to overloading and
that the driver was negligent in having the bus overloaded.
In State of Rajasthan v. Ram Prasad37, claim for compensation was made
under the Workmens Compensation Act, 1923, in respect of death of a lady
worker who died of an accident which took place on account of lightning.
The defence was that lightning was act of God. Repelling such defence, the
court observed:
the concept of the liability under the Act is wide enough to cover a case
of this nature in as much as death has taken place arising as result of accident
in the course of employment. It is no doubt true that accident must have a
causal connection with the employment and arise out of it. If the workmen is
injured as a result of natural force such as lightning though in itself has no
connection with employment, she can recover compensation by showing
such employment exposed her to such injury. In this case, the finding is that
the said.was working on the site an would not have been exposed to such
hazard of lightning striking her had she not been working so38.
III. An Accident Arising Out of the Use of a Motor Vehicle

The expression an accident arising out of the use of a motor vehicle is the
foundation of a claim for compensation and is, therefore, of vital significance
36
Madhya Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation v. Bhoj Singh, 1992 ACJ 1151 (MP)
State of Rajasthan v. Ram Prasad, 2001 ACJ 647(SC).
38
Ibid
37
50
which, of course, needs an independent chapter for the construction and

meaning thereof.
In construing the scope of the expression accident arising out of the use of a
motor vehicle, it can be said that the word use is used in the Act in a wide
sense so as to cover all employments of a motor vehicle, so that whichever
the vehicle is put into action or service, there is user of the vehicle within
the meaning of the Act, whether the vehicle was being driven or repaired or
simply parked or kept stationary or left unattended and in that sense, the
vehicle is used, whenever the vehicle is driven out for any purpose,
whatsoever. This, without anything more, is sufficient to attract the
provisions of the Act. Thus, whenever any accident occurs causing death of
or bodily injury to persons because of the vehicle or in the course of its user,
the jurisdiction of the Claims Tribunal arises39.
In Union of India v. Satish Kumar Patel40 and Gujarat State Road
Transport Corporation v. Union of India41 s matters where accidents do
often occur because of collision between a train and a motor vehicle, usually
on unmanned level crossing, and such accidents may take one of the
following modes, namely:
a. Where there is negligence only on part of the driver of the train.
b. Where the railway, or the driver of a train and the driver of a motor
vehicle are both jointly responsible for the accident in question.
c. Where the driver of a motor vehicle is alone responsible for the accident
in question.
39
Padmanabhan Nair v. Narayaniutty, 1988 ACJ 58 (Ker.) DB.

Union of India v. Satish Kumar Patel , AIR 2001 MP 41
41
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation v. Union of India, AIR 1988 Guj 13
40
51
In cases falling within (a.) above, the accident cannot be said to have arisen
out of the use of motor vehicle and a claim for compensation cannot lie
before a Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, but in cases covered by (b) and
(c) above, the accident shall be held to have arisen out of the use of a Motor
Vehicle, and a claim for compensation shall lie before the Motor Accidents
Claims Tribunal42.
Section 165 provides the form of constitution of Claim Tribunal in adjudging
claims of compensation in respect of accidents involving the death of bodily
injury to persons "arising out of the use of Motor Vehicle". Being welfare
legislation the scope of this term have been widened which includes accident
by a stationery vehicle, injuries suffered by passengers in bomb blast, injuries
due to fire in petrol tanker. Murder in a motor vehicle has also been covered
as a motor accident.
In Bipal Bashi Das v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.43 where the extremists
had hired a vehicle causing death of one and injury to other passengers, death
was held to have arisen out of use of motor vehicle.
In New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Sheeja44 where the driver taken his taxi
to workshop and the gas cylinders exploded in the course of repair, the
accident was held to have arisen out of use of motor vehicle.
42
Maniklal Dubey v. Mohd. Ismail, 1999 (3) Civil LJ 329

Bipal Bashi Das v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., 2009 (1) ACC 288 (Gau.) DB.
44
New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Sheeja, 2007 ACJ 338 (Ker.) DB
43
52
F. Salient Features of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 Relating to

Awarding of Compensation in Motor Accident Cases
The relevant provisions relating to awarding of compensation in Motor Vehicle
Accidents has been provided in Chapter X, Chapter XI and Chapter XII of the
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. These chapters deal with following subjects:
1. Chapter X deals with No Fault Liability in certain cases.
2. Chapter XI of the Act deals with Insurance of Motor Vehicles against Third
Party Risk, and
3. Chapter XII of the Act deals with establishment of Claims Tribunals,
application for and award of compensation in cases of accidents arising out
of use of Motor Vehicles, recovery of amount of compensation from insurer
as arrears of land revenue and other procedural and incidental matters.
In this chapter, first two chapters i.e. Chapter X & XI of Motor Vehicles Act,
1988 have been studied and judicially analyzed. Third chapter i.e. Chapter XII of
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is studied separately in the next Chapter with title
Claims Tribunals under Motor Vehicles Act.
I.
Liability to Pay Compensation in Certain Cases on the Principle

of No Fault.
Sections 140 to 144 of the Act, provides for payment of compensation on the
principle of no fault liability i.e. without any fault on the part of any party.
Section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides for liability to pay
compensation in certain cases on the principle of no fault. Where death or
permanent disablement of any person has resulted from an accident arising
53
out of the use of a motor vehicle or motor vehicles, the owner of the vehicles
shall, or, as the case may be, the owners of the vehicles shall, jointly and
severally, be liable to pay compensation in respect of such death or
disablement in accordance with the provisions of this section.
(a) The amount of compensation which shall be payable under section 140
(1) in respect of the death of any person shall be a fixed sum of 45[fifty
thousand rupees] and the amount of compensation payable under that
sub-section in respect of the permanent disablement of any person shall
be a fixed sum of 46[twenty five thousand rupees].
(b) In any claim for compensation under section 140 (1), the claimant shall
not be required to plead and establish that the death or permanent
disablement in respect of which the claim has been made was due to any
wrongful act, neglect or default of the owner or owners of the vehicle or
vehicles concerned or of any other person.
(c) A claim for compensation under section 140 (1) shall not be defeated by
reason of any wrongful act, neglect or default of the person in respect of
whose death or permanent disablement the claim has been made nor
shall the quantum of compensation recoverable in respect of such death
or permanent disablement be reduced on the basis of the share of such
person in the responsibility for such death or permanent disablement.
(d) Notwithstanding anything contained in Section 140(2) regarding death
or bodily injury to any person47, for which the owner of the vehicle is
liable to give compensation for relief, he is also liable to pay
compensation under any other law for the time being in force:
Substituted for twenty five thousand rupees by Act 54 of 1994, S. 43 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
Substituted, for twelve thousand rupees by Act 54 of 1994, S. 43 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
47
Inserted, Ibid. (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).
45
46
54
Provided that the amount of such compensation to be given under any

other law shall be reduced from the amount of compensation payable
under this section or under section 163 A.
Section 140 of the Act provides that in case of death or permanent
disablement of any person resulting from an accident which arise out of use
of a Motor Vehicle/s, the owner of offending vehicle/s shall be liable jointly
or severally to pay compensation in respect of such death or permanent
disablement. Under this section amount of compensation is a fixed amount of
Rs. 50,000/- in case of death and Rs. 25,000/- in case of permanent
disablement. For claiming such compensation, claimant is not required to
plead that such accident is occurred due to negligence or fault of the owner/
driver of the vehicle and death or permanent disablement is result of that
accident. Moreover, such claim shall not be defeated by reason of any
wrongful act, neglect or default on the part of the person whose death or
disablement has been occurred. Nor the quantum of compensation shall be
reduced due to contributory negligence on the part of person who sustained
disablement or death.
Compensation awarded under this section does not barred the victim to claim
compensation under any other law being in force, though the amount of such
compensation to be given under any other law shall be reduced by the
amount of compensation payable under no fault liability under this section or
in accordance with the structured formula laid down under schedule -2 to this
Act read with Section 163A of the Act.
55
In Satvantkumar Harjit Singh Vig v. Aarti Jayant Lalwani48case it was

held by the Double Bench of the Mumbai High Court that the phrase has
resulted from occurring in section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 does
not require the death to have occurred in the accident itself. The section is
attracted even where death is result or the consequence of the accident arising
out of a motor vehicle. What is necessary to see is whether the death is the
consequence of an accident arising out of use of motor vehicle.
In New India Assurance Co. Ltd v. Mehebubanbibi49 case the deceased
was deputed by his employer to carry a damaged transformer in a tractor. The
tractor fell in to a ditch. The deceased was pressed under the damaged
transformer, sustained injuries and died in hospital. Death of the deceased
had arisen out of and in course of his employment. Though the case was not
one of no fault liability, but as the accident had occurred due to negligence of
the driver of the tractor, yet the fact of the case attract for a claim of double
compensation under two different laws, irrespective of whether the claim is
based on fault liability or on no fault liability.
What is material is that a claim under the Motor Vehicles Act is no bar to
claiming compensation, if permissible, also under a different law. The
Double Bench of Gujarat High Court held that the heirs of deceased in such
case could claim compensation both under the Motor Vehicles Act for
negligence of the driver of the tractor and also under Workens
Compensation Act, 1923 for death occurring out of and in the course of
employment.
48
49
Satvantkumar Harjit Singh Vig v. Aarti Jayant Lalwani, 2005 (1) ACJ 255 (Mum) DB
New India Assurance Co. Ltd v. Mehebubanbibi, 2003 (2) TAC 639 (Guj.) DB
56
In Ram Singh v. Anil50 it was held by the High Court that when occurrence
of accident is proved to have arisen out of use of Motor Vehicle, it is not
necessary to plead or prove negligence of driver of vehicle under Section
163A.
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Honnappa51 in a claim under no fault
liability, claimant need not plead or establish that permanent disablement was
due to wrongful act or negligence or default of owner of the other vehicle
with which the vehicle of claimant has colluded.
In Pepsu Road Transport Corp. v. Kulwant Kaur52s case it was held by
the supreme court that section 140, as it came in to effect from 01.07.1989, is
not retrospective. Hence the provision amended with effect from 14.11.1994
is also not retrospective. Therefore, in accident which occurred on
30.11.1982, and decided on 16.07.1984, the claimant was entitled only Rs.
15,000/- as per provisions of section 92A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939.
The right to claim compensation under section 140 in respect of death or
permanent disablement of any person shall be in addition to any other right,
except the right to claim under the scheme referred to in section 163 A
(such other right hereafter in this section referred to as the right on the
principle of fault) to claim compensation in respect thereof under any other
provision of this Act or of any other law for the time being in force53.
A claim for compensation under section 140 in respect of death or permanent
disablement of any person shall be disposed of as expeditiously as possible
and where compensation is claimed in respect of such death or permanent
50
Ram Singh v. Anil, 2009 ACJ 73 (MP) DB

National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Honnappa, 2008 (3) ACC 726 (Karn) DB
52
Pepsu Road Transport Corp. v. Kulwant Kaur, 2009 ACJ 1329
53
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 141 (1)
51
57
disablement under section 140 and also in pursuance of any right on the
principle of fault, the claim for compensation under section 140 shall be
disposed of as aforesaid in the first place54.
Notwithstanding anything contained in section 141(1), where in respect of
the death or permanent disablement of any person, the person liable to pay
compensation under section 140 is also liable to pay compensation in
accordance with the right on the principle of fault, the person so liable shall
pay the first-mentioned compensation and if the amount of the firstmentioned compensation is less than the amount of the second- mentioned
compensation, he shall be liable to pay (in addition to the first-mentioned
compensation) only so much of the second-mentioned compensation as is
equal to the amount by which it exceeds the first-mentioned compensation
and also if the amount of the first-mentioned compensation is equal to or
more than the amount of the second-mentioned compensation, he shall not be
liable to pay the second-mentioned compensation55.
For the purposes of this Chapter, permanent disablement of a person shall be
deemed to have resulted from an accident of the nature referred to in subsection (1) of section 140 if such person has suffered by reason of the
accident, any injury or injuries involving permanent privation of the sight of
either eye or the hearing of either ear, or privation of any member or joint; or
destruction or permanent impairing of the powers of any members or joint; or
permanent disfiguration of the head or face56.
The provisions of this Chapter shall also apply in relation to any claim for
compensation in respect of death or permanent disablement of any person
54
Ibid, Section 141 (2)

56
Ibid, Section 142
55
58
under the Workmens Compensation Act, 1923 (8 of 1923) resulting from an

accident of the nature referred to in sub-section (1) of section 140 and for this
purpose, the said provisions shall, with necessary modifications, be deemed
to form part of that Act57.
The provisions of this Chapter shall have effect notwithstanding anything
contained in any other provision of this Act or of any other law for the time
being in force58.
II.
Necessity of Insurance Against Third Party Risk.

Chapter XI of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 deals with Provisions regarding
insurance of motor vehicles against third party risks.
Section 145 of the Act defines certain terms like authorized insurer,
certificate of insurance, liability, policy, property etc., which terms are
relevant to motor insurance against third party. Some of the definitions are as
under:
(a) Authorised Insurer

The term Authorised Insurer means an insurer for the time being carrying
on general insurance business in India under the General Insurance
Business (Nationalisation) Act, 1972, and any Government insurance fund
authorised to do general insurance business under that Act.
(b) Certificate of Insurance

The expression Certificate of Insurance means a certificate issued by an
authorised insurer in pursuance of sub-section (3) of section 147 and
57
58
Ibid, Section 143

Ibid, Section 144
59
includes a cover note complying with such requirements as may be

prescribed, and where more than one certificate has been issued in
connection with a policy, or where a copy of a certificate has been issued,
all those certificates or that copy, as the case may be.
(c) Liability
The word Liability is here used in relation to the death of or bodily injury to
any person, includes liability in respect thereof under section 140.
(d) Policy of Insurance

Policy of Insurance includes certificate of insurance.
(e) Property
The word property includes goods carried in the motor vehicle, roads,
bridges, culverts, causeways, trees, posts and mile-stones;
In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Kadviben Udabhai Rathwa59 it
was held by the Full Bench of the Gujarat High Court that insurer is not
entitled to raise any defence under section 149 (2) in an application under
section 140.
(f) Goods
Goods as defined in section 2 (13) of the Act includes livestock and
anything carried by a vehicle except living persons.
59
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Kadviben Udabhai Rathwa, 2006 ACJ 2019
60
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Khushboo60 it was held by Patna High

Court that goods does not include luggage or personal effects carried in a
motor car or in a trailer attached to a motor car or the personal luggage of
passengers travelling in the vehicle.
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Phool Singh61 it was held by the Punjab
and Haryana High Court that personal effects are not goods. Merely
because the person is going to join his duties was carrying a box, suit case
and bed holder and had paid Rs. 100 as fare, cannot be said to be owner of
goods.
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Khushboo62it was held that a dead
body comes under the definition of goods.
(g) Reciprocating Country

This word means any such country as may on the basis of reciprocity be
notified by the Central Government in the Official Gazette to be a
reciprocating country for the purposes of this Chapter.
(h) Third Party

The word third party includes the Government.
Section 146 of the Act provides for the necessity for insurance against third
party risk. According to sub-section 1 no person shall use, except as a
passenger, or cause or allow any other person to use, a motor vehicle in a
public place, unless there is in force in relation to the use of the vehicle by
60
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Khushboo, 2009 (3) ACC 460 (Pat.)
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Phool Singh, 2008 ACJ 58
62
Supra n.60
61
61
that person or that other person, as the case may be, a policy of insurance
complying with the requirements of this Chapter.
Provided that in the case of a vehicle carrying, or meant to carry, dangerous
or hazardous goods, there shall also be a policy of insurance under the Public
Liability Insurance Act, 199163.
Explanation added to this sub-section states that a person driving a motor
vehicle merely as a paid employee, while there is in force in relation to the
use of the vehicle no such policy as is required by this sub-section, shall not
be deemed to act in contravention of the sub-section unless he knows or has
reason to believe that there is no such policy in force.
The word public place has been defined under section 2(34) of the act to
mean a road, street way or other place, whether a thoroughfare or not, to
which the public have a right of access and includes any place or stand at
which passengers are picked up or set down by a stage carriage.
The word public place was interpreted in the case of Chairman, The
Trustee of Port of Madras v. Suganesan & Co.64 as place accessible to
members of public and available for their use, enjoyment, avocation and
other purposes though right of access thereto may be permissive, limited,
restricted or regulated by tickets, passes, payment or oral or written
permission and any place restricted generally or to a particular purpose or
purposes, such as harbor, port trust, or railway station.
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. William Jenifar Ajitha65 it was held by
Madras high Court that even those places of private ownership where
63
Inserted by Act 54 of 1994, S. 45 (w.e.f. 14-11-1994).

Chairman, The Trustee of Port of Madras v. Suganesan & Co.,1996 ACJ 1224 (Mad.)
65
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. William Jenifar Ajitha 2009 ACJ 1042
64
62
members of public have access whether free or controlled, falls under public
place.
It was held in Chinna Gangappa v. B.Sanjeeva Reddy66that an accident
which occurred in garage in the process of reversing a tractor, would be held
as accident in a public place, since access to garage is not prohibited to
members of public.
The provision of compulsory insurance shall not apply to any vehicle owned
by the Central Government or a State Government and used for Government
purposes unconnected with any commercial enterprise67.
Sub Section -3 of Section 146 authorised the appropriate Government to
exempt the operation of sub-section (1) for any vehicle owned by the Central
Government or a State Government, if the vehicle is used for Government
purposes connected with any commercial enterprise or any local authority or
any State transport undertaking.
Provided that no such order shall be made in relation to any such authority
unless a fund has been established and is maintained by that authority in
accordance with the rules made in that behalf under this Act for meeting any
liability arising out of the use of any vehicle of that authority which that
authority or any person in its employment may incur to third parties.
Explanation to Section 146 (3) states that for the purposes of this sub-section,
appropriate Government means the Central Government or a State
Government, as the case may be, and
66
67
Chinna Gangappa v. B.Sanjeeva Reddy, 1998 (1) TAC 268 AP

63
a. In relation to any corporation or company owned by the Central

Government or any State Government, means the Central Government or
that State Government.
b. In relation to any corporation or company owned by the Central
Government & one or more State Governments, means the Central
Government.
c. In relation to any other State transport undertaking or any local authority,
means that Government which has control over that undertaking or
authority.
III.
Requirement of Insurance Policy and Limits of Liability Under

Such Policy.
Section 147 of the Act deals with the provisions regarding requirement of
policies and limits of liability.
In order to comply with the requirements of this Chapter, a policy of
insurance must be a policy which (a) is issued by a person who is an
authorised insurer and (b) insurers the person or classes of persons specified
in the policy to the extent specified in Sub Section (2):
a. Against any liability which may be incurred by him in respect of the death
of or bodily injury to any person, including owner of the goods or his
authorised representative carried in the vehicle or damage to any property
of a third party caused by or arising out of the use of the vehicle in a public
place.
b. Against the death of or bodily injury to any passenger of a public service
vehicle caused by or arising out of the use of the vehicle in a public place.
64
Provided that a policy shall not be required

(i)
To cover liability in respect of the death, arising out of and in the

course of this employment, of the employee of a person insured by the
policy or in respect of bodily injury sustained by such an employee
arising out of and in the course of his employment other than a
liability arising under the Workmens Compensation Act, 1923 (8 of
1923), in respect of the death of, or bodily injury to, any such
employee
(a) Engaged in driving the vehicle, or
(b) If it is a public service vehicle, engaged as a conductor of the vehicle
or in examining tickets on the vehicle, or
(c) If it is a goods carriage, being carried in the vehicle, or
(ii)
To cover any contractual liability.
An explanation appended to sub section (1) has declared for the removal of
doubts that the death of or bodily injury to any person or damage to any
property of a third party shall be deemed to have been caused by or to have
arisen out of, the use of a vehicle in a public place notwithstanding that the
person who is dead or injured or the property which is damaged was not in a
public place at the time of the accident, if the act or omission which led to the
accident occurred in a public place.
Sub Section (2) of the Section provides that subject to the proviso to subsection (1), a policy of insurance referred to in sub-section (1), shall cover
any liability incurred in respect of any accident, up to the following limits,
namely :-
65
(a) Save as provided in clause (b), the amount of liability incurred.

(b) In respect of damage to any property of a third party, a limit of rupees six
thousand:
Provided that any policy of insurance issued with any limited liability and in
force, immediately before the commencement of this Act, shall continue to
be effective for a period of four months after such commencement or till the
date of expiry of such policy whichever is earlier.
In National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Puja Roller Flour Mills (P) Ltd.68 It
was held by the apex court that liability under policy issued under ACT of
1939 had stipulated the liability of Insurer to the extent of Rs. 1.5 Lakhs only
In Jameskutty Jacob v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd69it was held by
the Supreme Court that if the policy itself has provided for Rs. 50,000/- than
the insurer cannot be made liable in excess thereof.
In Jayshree Narendra Kataria v. Somnath Damodhar Kale70 it was held
by the Mumbai High Court that where the policy showed limited liability in
respect of any one claim or series of claims arising out of one event upto Rs.
1.5 Lakhs and premium of Rs. 240 was accepted, the liability of insurer was
held unlimited.
Sub Section (3) of Section 147 provides that a policy shall be of no effect for
the purposes of this Chapter unless and until there is issued by the insurer in
favour of the person by whom the policy is effected a certificate of insurance
in the prescribed form and containing the prescribed particulars of any
68
National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Puja Roller Flour Mills (P) Ltd, 2007 (1) ACC 219
Jameskutty Jacob v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd, AIR 2006 SC 3690
70
Jayshree Narendra Kataria v. Somnath Damodhar Kale, 2010 (10) TAC 10 Bom.
69
66
condition subject to which the policy is issued and of any other prescribed
matters; and different forms, particulars and matters may be prescribed in
different cases.
Where a cover note issued by the insurer under the provisions of this Chapter
or the rules made there under is not followed by a policy of insurance within
the prescribed time, the insurer shall, within seven days of the expiry of the
period of the validity of the cover note, notify the fact to the registering
authority in whose records the vehicle to which the cover note relates has
been registered or to such other authority as the State Government may
prescribe71.
Notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, an
insurer issuing a policy of insurance under this section shall be liable to
indemnify the person or classes of persons specified in the policy in respect
of any liability which the policy purports to cover in the case of that person
or those classes of persons72.
In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Hussain Sab73, the owner of the
goods vehicle as well as the insurance company denied liability on the
ground that the deceased persons were not travelling in the goods vehicle as
passengers but were only pedestrians. The claimants in support of their claim
produced documents relating to criminal case, namely FIR etc., which
disclosed that the deceased were travelling as passengers in the goods
vehicle. It was held that the FIR would be admissible in evidence since strict
rules of evidence are not applicable to trials and enquiry relating to motor
accident claims.
71

73
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Hussain Sab, AIR 2006 (NOC) 437 (Kar.)
72
67
In the case of M.V.Jayadevappa v. Oriental Fire and General Insurance

Co. Ltd.74 It was held by the apex court that a vehicle described in the
Schedule annexed with policy as Cheverolet Lorry with open body with its
licensed carrying capacity as 2 tons is a good vehicle when it is nowhere
written in policy that it was authorised to carry passengers.
IV.
Validity of Polices of Insurance Issued in Reciprocating Countries

Section 148 of the ACT relates to validity of polices of insurance issued in
reciprocating countries. Which states that where, in pursuance of an
arrangement between India and any reciprocating country, the motor vehicle
registered in the reciprocating country operates on any route or within any
area common to the two countries and there is in force in relation to the use
of the vehicle in the reciprocating country, a policy of insurance complying
with the requirements of the law of insurance in force in that country, then,
notwithstanding anything contained in section 147 but subject to any rules
which may be made under section 164, such policy of insurance shall be
effective throughout the route or area in respect of which, the arrangement
has been made, as if the policy of insurance had complied with the
requirements of this Chapter.
V.
Liability of Insurer and Defence Available to Insurer.

Section 149 of the Act provides for liability of insurer and defences available
to insurer in a case of Motor Accident filed before a Motor Accident Claims
Tribunal and provides for duties of insurers to satisfy judgments and awards
against persons insured in respect of third party risks. If, after a certificate of
insurance has been issued under sub-section (3) of section 147 in favour of
the person by whom a policy has been effected, judgement or award in
74
M.V.Jayadevappa v. Oriental Fire and General Insurance Co. Ltd.,2005 ACJ (3) 1801 (SC)
68
respect of any such liability as is requirement to be covered by a policy under

clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 147 (being a liability covered by the
terms of the policy) 91[or under the provisions of section 163 A] is
obtained against any person insured by the policy, then, notwithstanding that
the insurer may be entitled to avoid of cancel or may have avoided or
cancelled the policy, the insurer shall, subject to the provisions of this
section, pay to the person entitled to the benefit of the decree any sum not
exceeding the sum assured payable there under, as if he were the judgement
debtor, in respect of the liability, together with any amount payable in respect
of costs and any sum payable in respect of interest on that sum by virtue of
any enactment relating to interest on judgements75.
No sum shall be payable by an insurer under sub-section (1) in respect of any
judgement or award unless, before the commencement of the proceedings in
which the judgement or award is given the insurer had notice through the
Court or, as the case may be, the Claims Tribunal of the bringing of the
proceedings, or in respect of such judgement or award so long as execution is
stayed thereon pending an appeal; and an insurer to whom notice of the
bringing of any such proceedings is so given shall be entitled to be made a
party thereto and to defend the action on any of the following grounds:
a. That there has been a breach of a specified condition of the policy, being
one of the following conditions:i.
A condition excluding the use of the vehicle

a) for hire or reward, where the vehicle is on the date of the contract
of insurance a vehicle not covered by a permit to ply for hire or
reward, or
75
69
b) for organised racing and speed testing, or

c) for a purpose not allowed by the permit under which the vehicle
is used, where the vehicle is a transport vehicle, or
d) without side-car being attached where the vehicle is a motor
cycle; or
ii.
A condition excluding driving by a named person or persons or by

any person who is not duly licenced, or by any person who has
been disqualified for holding or obtaining a driving licence during
the period of disqualification; or
iii.
A condition excluding liability for injury caused or contributed to

by conditions of war, civil war, riot or civil commotion; or
b. That the policy is void on the ground that it was obtained by the nondisclosure of a material fact or by a representation of fact which was false
in some material particular76.
Where any such judgement as is referred to in sub-section (1) is obtained
from a Court in a reciprocating country and in the case of a foreign
judgement is, by virtue of the provisions of section 13 of the Code of Civil
Procedure, 1908 conclusive as to any matter adjudicated upon by it, the
insurer (being an insurer registered under the Insurance Act, 1938 and
whether or not he is registered under the corresponding law of the
reciprocating country) shall be liable to the person entitled to the benefit of
the decree in the manner and to the extent specified in sub-section (1), as if
the judgement were given by a Court in India :
76
70
Provided that no sum shall be payable by the insurer in respect of any such
judgement unless, before the commencement of the proceedings in which the
judgement is given, the insurer had notice through the Court concerned of the
bringing of the proceedings and the insurer to whom notice is so given is
entitled under the corresponding law of the reciprocating country, to be made
a party to the proceedings and to defend the action on grounds similar to
those specified in sub-section (2)77.
Section 13 of Civil Procedure Code reads as under:
a. When foreign judgment not conclusive? A foreign judgment shall be
conclusive as to any matter thereby directly adjudicated upon between
the same parties or between parties under whom they or any of them
claim litigating under the same title except?
b. Where it has not been pronounced by a Court of competent jurisdiction;
c. Where it has not been given on the merits of the case;
d. Where it appears on the face of the proceedings to be founded on an
incorrect view of international law or a refusal to recognize the law of
India in cases in which such law is applicable;
e. Where the proceedings in which the judgment was obtained are opposed
to natural justice;
f. Where it has been obtained by fraud;
77
71
g. Where it sustains a claim founded on a breach of any law in force in

India78.
Sub Section (4) of the section states that where a certificate of insurance has
been issued under sub-section (3) of section 147 to the person by whom a
policy has been effected, so much of the policy as purports to restrict the
insurance of the persons insured thereby by reference to any conditions other
than those in clause (b) of subsection (2) shall, as respects such liabilities as
are required to be covered by a policy under clause (b) of sub-section (1) of
section 147, be of no effect.
Provided that any sum paid by the insurer in or towards the discharge of any
liability of any person which is covered by the policy by virtue only of this
sub-section shall be recoverable by the insurer from that person79.
Sub-Section 5 states that if the amount which an insurer becomes liable under
this section to pay in respect of a liability incurred by a person insured by a
policy exceeds the amount for which the insurer would apart from the
provisions of this section be liable under the policy in respect of that liability,
the insurer shall be entitled to recover the excess from that person.
Sub Section 6 defines the expression material fact and material particular
means, respectively, a fact or particular of such a nature as to influence the
judgement of a prudent insurer in determining whether he will take the risk
and, if so, at what premium and on what conditions, and the expression
liability covered by the terms of the policy means liability which is covered
78
79
Civil Procedure Code, 1908, Section 13

The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Proviso to Section 149 (4)
72
by the policy or which would be so covered but for the fact that the insurer is
entitled to avoid or cancel or has avoided or cancelled the policy80.
Sub Section 7 provides that no insurer to whom the notice referred to in subsection (2) or sub-section (3) has been given shall be entitled to avoid his
liability to any person entitled to the benefit of any such judgement or award
as is referred to in sub-section (1) or in such judgement as is referred to in
sub-section (3) otherwise than in the manner provided for in sub-section (2)
or in the corresponding law of the reciprocating country, as the case may be.
For the purposes of this section, Claims Tribunal means a Claims Tribunal
constituted under section 165 and award means an award made by that
Tribunal under section 16881.
VI.
Third Party Insurance: Defence Available to the Insurer.

The Insurance Company cannot avoid the liability except on the grounds and
not any other ground, which have been provided in Section 149(2). In recent
time, Supreme Court while dealing with the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act
has held that even if the defence has been pleaded and proved by the
Insurance Company, they are not absolve from liability to make payment to
the third party but can receive such amount from the owner insured. The
courts one after one have held that the burden of proving availability of
defence is on Insurance Company and Insurance Company has not only to
lead evidence as to breach of condition of policy or violation of provisions of
Section 149(2) but has to prove also that such act happens with the
connivance or knowledge of the owner. If knowledge or connivance has not
80
81

Ibid, Explanation to Section 149 (7)
73
been proved, the Insurance Company shall remain liable even if defence is
available.
VII.
Right of Recovery from Owner to Insurance Company

With the development of law, liability of the insurance Company has been
made strict to the third party even if there is no negligence or defences to the
Insurance Company are available. A right has been given to the Insurance
Company by way of legal precedents incorporating various provisions to
recover the said amount paid to third party from owner. This recovery can be
made by mere filing of an execution application and not by a separate civil
suit.
VIII.
Rights of Third Party Against Insurers on Insolvency of Insured.

Section 150 of the Act provides for the rights of third parties against insurers
on insolvency of the insured. Sub section (1) of the Section provides that
where under any contract of insurance effected in accordance with the
provisions of this Chapter, a person is insured against liabilities which he
may incur to third parties, then in the event of the person becoming insolvent
or making a composition or arrangement with his creditors, or where the
insured person is a company, in the event of a winding-up order being made
or a resolution for a voluntary winding-up being passed with respect to the
company or of a receiver or manager of the companys business or
undertaking being duly appointed, or of possession being taken by or on
behalf of the holders of any debentures secured by a floating charge of any
property comprised in or subject to the charge, if, either before or after that
event, any such liability is incurred by the insured person, his rights against
the insurer under the contract in respect of the liability shall, notwithstanding
74
anything to the contrary in any provision of law, be transferred to and vest in

the third party to whom the liability was so incurred.
Where an order for the administration of the estate of a deceased debtor is
made according to the law of insolvency, then, if any debt provable in
insolvency is owing by the deceased in respect of a liability to a third party
against which he was insured under a contract of insurance in accordance
with the provisions of this Chapter, the deceased debtors rights against the
insurer in respect of that liability shall, notwithstanding anything to the
contrary is any provision of law, be transferred to and vest in the person to
whom the debt is owing82.
Any condition in a policy issued for the purposes of this Chapter purporting
either directly or indirectly to avoid the policy or to alter the rights of the
parties there under upon the happening to the insured person of any of the
events specified in clause (a) or clause (b) of sub-section (1) or upon the
making of an order for the administration of the estate of a deceased debtor
according to the law of insolvency shall be of no effect83.
Upon a transfer under sub-section (1) or sub-section (2), the insurer shall be
under the same liability to the third party as he would have been to the
insured person, but (a) if the liability of the insurer to the insured person
exceeds the liability of the insured person to the third party, nothing in this
Chapter shall affect the rights of the insured person against the insurer in
respect of the excess, and (b) if the liability of the insurer to the insured
person is less than the liability of the insured person to the third party,
82
83
Ibid Section 150 (2)

75
nothing in this Chapter shall affect the rights of the third party against the
insured person in respect of the balance84.
IX.
Duty to Give Information as to Insurance.

Section 151 of the Act provides about the duty to give information as to
insurance. No person against whom a claim is made in respect of any liability
referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 147 shall on demand by
or on behalf of the person making the claim refuse to state whether or not he
was insured in respect of that liability by any policy issued under the
provisions of this Chapter, or would have been so insured if the insurer had
not avoided or cancelled the policy, nor shall he refuse, if he was or would
have been so insured, to give such particulars with respect to that policy as
were specified in the certificate of insurance issued in respect hereof85.
In the event of any person becoming insolvent or making a composition or
arrangement with his creditors or in the event of an order being made for the
administration of the estate of a deceased person according to the law of
insolvency, or in the event of a winding-up order being made or a resolution
for a voluntary winding-up being passed with respect to any company or of a
receiver or manager of the companys business or undertaking being duly
appointed or of possession being taken by or on behalf of the holders of any
debentures secured by a floating charge on any property comprised in or
subject to the charge, it shall be the duty of the insolvent debtor, personal
representative of the deceased debtor or company, as the case may be, or the
official assignee or receiver in insolvency, trustee, liquidator, receiver or
manager, or person in possession of the property to give at the request of any
person claiming that the insolvent debtor, deceased debtor or company is
84
85

76
under such liability to him as is covered by the provision of this Chapter,

such information as may reasonably be required by him for the purpose of
ascertaining whether any rights have been transferred to an vested in him by
section 150, and for the purpose of enforcing such rights, if any; and any
such contract of insurance as purports whether directly or indirectly to avoid
the contract or to alter the rights of the parties there under upon the giving of
such information in the events aforesaid, or otherwise to prohibit or prevent
the giving thereof in the said events, shall be of no effect86.
If, from the information given to any person in pursuance of sub section (2)
or otherwise, he has reasonable ground for supporting that there have or may
have been transferred to him under this Chapter rights against any particular
insurer, that insurer shall be subject to the same duty as is imposed by the
said sub-section on the persons therein mentioned87.
The duty to give the information imposed by this section shall include a duty
to allow all contracts of insurance, receipts for premiums, and other relevant
documents in the possession or power of the person on whom the duty so
imposed to be inspected and copies thereof to be taken88.
X.
Effect of Settlement Between Insure and Insured.

Section 152 of the Act concerned with the effect of any settlement between
insurers and insured persons. No settlement made by an insurer in respect of
any claim which might be made by a third party in respect of any liability of
the nature referred to in clause (b) of sub-section (1) of section 147 shall be
valid unless such third party is a party to the settlement89.
86

88
89
87
77
Where a person who is insured under a policy issued for the purpose of this
Chapter has become insolvent, or where, if such insured person is a company,
a winding-up order has been made or a resolution for a voluntary winding-up
has been passed with respect to the company, no agreement made between
the insurer and the insured person after the liability has been incurred to a
third party and after the commencement of the insolvency or winding-up, as
the case may be, nor any waiver, assignment or other disposition made by or
payment made to the insured person after the commencement aforesaid shall
be effective to defeat the rights transferred to the third party under this
Chapter, but those rights shall be the same as if no such agreement, waiver,
assignment or disposition or payment has been made90.
XI.
Driving License
Earlier not holding a valid driving license was a good defence to the
Insurance Company to avoid liability. It was been held by the Supreme Court
that the Insurance Company is not liable for claim if driver is not holding
effective & valid driving licence. It has also been held that the learner's
licence absolves the insurance Company from liability, but later Supreme
Court in order to give purposeful meaning to the Act have made this defence
very difficult. In Sohan Lal Pasi's case it has been held for the first time by
the Supreme Court that the breach of condition should be with the knowledge
of the owner. If owner's knowledge with reference to fake driving licence
held by driver is not proved by the Insurance Company, such defence, which
was otherwise available, can not absolve insurer from the liability. Recently
in a dynamic judgment in case of Swaran Singh, the Supreme Court has
almost taken away the said right by holding;
90
78
a. Proving breach of condition or not holding driving licence or holding

fake licence or carrying gratuitous passenger would not absolve the
Insurance Company until it is proved that the said breach was with the
knowledge of owner.
b. Learner's licence is a licence and will not absolve Insurance Company
from liability.
c. The breach of the conditions of the policy even within the scope of
Section 149(2) should be material one which must have been effect
cause of accident and thereby absolving requirement of driving licence
to those accidents with standing vehicle, fire or murder during the
course of use of vehicle.
This judgment has created a landmark history and is a message to the
Government to remove such defence from the legislation as the victim has to
be given compensation.
XII.
Gratuitous Passenger
In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Bodali Bai91 where the owner had
permitted the truck to be used for taking a dead body for cremation and on
return journey the driver allowed two passengers, then on death of those
passengers as truck had dashed against a bridge, the insurer is not liable
because the deceased were gratuitous passengers, but the owner was held
vicariously liable.
In New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Santra Devi 92 it was held by the court
that so far as taking gratuitous passengers in goods carriage is concerned, the
91
92
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Bodali Bai, 2009 ACJ 2213 (Chhat.).
New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Santra Devi, 2007 ACJ 2273 (P&H) DB.
79
law is settled that insurer cannot be made liable, since a commercial vehicle
is not at all meant for carrying passengers.
The Liability of the insurance company to pay compensation on account of
death or bodily injury to any person who was travelling by the vehicle does
not depend upon whether the person concerned was a gratuitous passenger or
had paid fare for the journey performed by him. What is important is whether
the person was killed or injured while travelling in or upon or entering or
mounting or alighting from the motor vehicle and not whether he had or had
not paid any fare for such travel93.
Status of passenger is matter of evidence. Where insurer has failed to prove
that deceased was gratuitous passenger, it cannot avoid its liability94.
Where the claimants were travelling as gratuitous passengers in a jeep
covered by Act only policy covering risk in respect of third party only in
respect of such private vehicle let out on hire, and there was no mention in
the policy for coverage of any occupants of jeep, no liability could be
fastened on the insurer95.
A gratuitous or fare paying passenger in a goods vehicle or fare paying
passenger in private vehicle has been proved to be a good defence. In Motor
Vehicle Act 1939 the gratuitous passenger was not covered under the
insurance policy but a fare passenger in a goods vehicle was considered to be
covered by 5 Judges Bench judgment of Rajasthan High Court. In new Motor
Vehicle Act, a Division Bench of Supreme Court held that Insurance
Company is liable for a passenger in goods vehicle. In another judgment of 3
Judges Bench of Supreme Court it was held that the Insurance Company is
93
New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Vibhuti, 2004 ACJ 769 (Karn.) DB.
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Surinder, 2006 ACJ 1285 (P&H.) DB.
95
Oriental Insurance C. Ltd. v. Arati Mishra, AIR, 2010 (NOC) 17
94
80
not liable for the gratuitous passenger traveling in the goods vehicle. In
number of other cases this judgment has been reiterated with a direction that
the Insurance Company shall first make payment of the compensation to the
claimant and then recover it from the owner.
XIII.
Effect of Dishonour of Cheque of Insurance Premium

It has been held by the Supreme Court that once the Cover Note is issued the
Insurance Company is bound to make payment to a third party and can
recover amount from owner. This judgment deserves to be reviewed else
Section 64 VB of Insurance Act will become non-existent. This judgment can
give momentum to those persons who will get the insurance and will get their
cheque been bounced as the liability of Insurance Company will run for
another one year without there being a premium. This may be opposed to
public policy also. Further there will be clash between the two provisions.
XIV.
Effect of Transfer of Vehicle

Transfer of a vehicle prior to accident has been held to be not valid defence
for the purpose of third party liability. It can be a defence for own damage
but as far as third party liability, even the vehicle has been transferred and
policy has not been transferred, liability of Insurance Company shall remain
there.
XV.
Saving Clause
Section 153 of the Act is a saving clause stating that for the purposes of
section 150,151 and 152 a reference to liabilities to third parties in relation
to a person insured under any policy of insurance shall not include a
reference to any liability of that person in the capacity of insurer under some
other policy of insurance.
81
The provisions of section 150, 151 and 152 shall not apply where a company
is wound-up voluntarily merely for the purposes of reconstruction or of an
amalgamation with another company.
XVI.
Effect of Insolvency of Insured

Section 154 of the ACT deals with effect of insolvency of insured. Where a
certificate of insurance has been issued to the person by whom a policy has
been effected, the happening in relation to any person insured by the policy
of any such event as is mentioned in sub-section (1) or sub-section (2) of
section 150 shall, notwithstanding anything contained in this Chapter, not
affect any liability of that person of the nature referred to in clause (b) of subsection (1) of section 147; but nothing in this section shall affect any rights
against the insurer conferred under the provisions of section 150,151 and 152
on the person to whom the liability was incurred.
XVII.
Effect of Death on Certain Causes of Action.

Section 155 of the Act deals with effect of death on certain causes of action.
It provides that notwithstanding anything contained in section 306 of the
Indian Succession Act, 1925 of the death of a person in whose favour a
certificate of insurance had been issued, if it occurs after the happening of an
event which has given rise to a claim under the provisions of this Chapter,
shall not be a bar to the survival of any cause of action arising out of the said
event against his estate or against the insurer.
XVIII.
Effect of Certificate of Insurance.

Section 156 of the Act provides the effect of certificate of insurance. When
an insurer has issued a certificate of insurance in respect of a contract of
82
insurance between the insurer and the insured person, then - (a) if and so long
as the policy described in the certificate has not been issued by the insurer to
the insured, the insurer shall, as between himself and any other person except
the insured, be deemed to have issued to the insured person a policy of
insurance conforming in all respects with the description and particulars
stated in such certificate; and (b) if the insurer has issued to the insured the
policy described in the certificate, but the actual terms of the policy are less
favourable to persons claiming under or by virtue of the policy against the
insurer either directly or through the insured than the particulars of the policy
as stated in the certificate, the policy shall, as between the insurer and any
other person except the insured, be deemed to be in terms conforming in all
respects with the particulars stated in the said certificate.
XIX.
Effect of Transfer of Certificate of Insurance.

Section 157 of the Act stated the effect of transfer of certificate of insurance.
It provides that where a person in whose favour the certificate of insurance
has been issued in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter transfer to
another person the ownership of the another vehicle in respect of which such
insurance was taken together with the policy of insurance relating thereto, the
certificate of insurance and the policy described in the certificate shall be
deemed to have been transferred in favour of the person to whom the motor
vehicle is transferred with effect from the date of its transfer.
For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that such deemed transfer
shall include transfer of rights and liabilities of the said certificate of
insurance and policy of insurance96.
96
Ibid, Explanation to Section 157 (1)
83
The transferee shall apply within fourteen days from the date of transfer in
the prescribed form to the insurer for making necessary changes in regard to
the fact of transfer in the certificate of insurance and the policy described in
the certificate in his favour and the insurer shall make the necessary changes
in the certificate and the policy of insurance in regard to the transfer of
insurance97.
In G.Govindan v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd.98 it was held by the
Supreme Court that compensation to the victim cannot be denied merely on
the ground that the policy had not been transferred.
In Ram Chander v. Naresh Kumar99 it was held by the High Court that
there should be no error in making the transferee owner liable instead of the
insurer.
XX.
Production of Certain Certificates, Licence and Permit etc.

Section 158 of the Act, provides the details as to production of certain
certificates, licence and permit in certain cases. This section states that any
person driving a motor vehicle in any public place shall, on being so required
by a police officer in uniform authorised in this behalf by the State
Government, should produce the following:
a) the certificate of insurance;
b) the certificate of registration;
c) the driving licence; and
97

G. Govindan v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd, AIR 1999 SC 1398
99
Ram Chander v. Naresh Kumar, 2000 ACJ 727 (P&H) DB
98
84
d) in the case of a transport vehicle also the certificate of fitness referred to

in section 56 and the permit, relating to the use of the vehicle.
If, where owing to the presence of a motor vehicle in a public place an
accident occurs involving death or bodily injury to another person, the driver
of the vehicle does not at the time produce the certificate, driving licence and
permit referred to in sub-section (1) to a police officer, he shall produce the
said certificates, licence and permit at the police station at which he makes
the report required by section 134100.
No person shall be liable to conviction under sub-section (1) or sub-section
(2) by reason only of the failure to produce the certificate of insurance if,
within seven days from the date on which its production was required under
sub-section (1), or as the case may be, from the date of occurrence of the
accident, he produces the certificate at such police station as may have been
specified by him to the police officer who required its production or, as the
case may be, to the police officer at the site of the accident or to the officerin-charge of the police station at which he reported the accident101.
Provided that except to such extent and with such modifications as may be
prescribed, the provisions of this sub-section shall not apply to the driver of a
transport vehicle102.
The owner of a motor vehicle shall give such information as he may be
required by or on behalf of a police officer empowered in this behalf by the
State Government to give for the purpose of determining whether the vehicle
was or was not being driven in contravention of section 146 and on any
100

102
Ibid, Provisio to Section 158 (3)
101
85
occasion when the driver was required under this section to produce his
certificate of insurance103.
In this section, the expression produce his certificate of insurance means
produce for examination the relevant certificate of insurance or such other
evidence as may be prescribed that the vehicle was not being driven in
contravention of section 146104.
As soon as any information regarding any accident involving death or bodily
injury to any person is recorded or report under this section is completed by a
police officer, the officer-in-charge of the police station shall forward a copy
of the same within thirty days from the date of recording of information or, as
the case may be, on completion of such report to the Claims Tribunal having
jurisdiction and a copy thereof to the concerned insurer, and where a copy is
made available to the owner, he shall also within thirty days of receipt of
such report, forward the same to such Claims Tribunal and insurer105.
XXI.
Production of Certificate of Insurance on Application for

Authority to Use Vehicle.
Section 159 of the ACT provides for the production of certificate of
insurance on application for authority to use vehicle. It provides that a State
Government may make rules requiring the owner of any motor vehicle when
applying whether by payment of a tax or otherwise for authority to use the
vehicle in a public place to produce such evidence as may be prescribed by
those rules to the effect that either on the date when the authority to use the
vehicle comes into operation there will be in force the necessary policy of
insurance in relation to the use of the vehicle by the applicant or by other
103

105
104
86
persons on his order or with his permission, or the vehicle is a vehicle to

which section 146 does not apply.
XXII.
Duty to Furnish Particulars of Vehicle Involved in Accident.

Section 160 of the Act deals with duty to furnish particulars of vehicle
involved in accident. It states that a registering authority or the officer-incharge of a police station shall, if so required by a person who alleges that he
is entitled to claim compensation in respect of an accident arising out of the
use of a motor vehicle, or if so required by an insurer against whom a claim
has been made in respect of any motor vehicle, furnish to that person or to
that insurer, as the case may be, on payment of the prescribed fee any
information at the disposal of the said authority or the said police officer
relating to the identification marks and other particulars of the vehicle and
the name and address of the person who was using the vehicle at the time of
the accident or was injured by it and the property, if any, damaged in such
form and within such time as the Central Government may prescribe.
XXIII.
Special Provisions as to Compensation in Case of Hit and Run

Motor Accident.
Section 161 of the Act provides for special provisions as to compensation in
case of hit and run motor accident. It provides that for the purposes of this
section, section 162 and section 163
a) grievous hurt shall have the same meaning as in the Indian Penal Code,
1860.
b) hit and run motor accident means an accident arising out of the use of
a motor vehicle or motor vehicles the identity whereof cannot be
ascertained in spite of reasonable efforts for the purpose;
87
c) scheme means the scheme framed under section 163.

Notwithstanding anything contained in the General Insurance Business
(Nationalisation) Act, 1972 or any other law for the time being in force or
any instrument having the force of law, the General Insurance Corporation of
India formed under section 9 of the said Act and the insurance companies for
the time being carrying on general insurance business in India shall provide
for paying in accordance with the provisions of this Act and the scheme,
compensation in respect of the death of, or grievous hurt to, persons resulting
from hit and run motor accidents106.
Subject to the provisions of this Act and the scheme, compensation shall be
paid in respect of the death of any person resulting from a hit and run motor
accident, a fixed sum of twenty-five thousand rupees and in respect of
grievous hurt to any person resulting from a hit and run motor accident, a
fixed sum of twelve thousand and five hundred rupees107.
The provisions of sub-section (1) of section 166 shall apply for the purpose
of making applications for compensation under this section as they apply for
the purpose of making applications for compensation referred to in that subsection108.
In Moosola Rama Rao v. District Collector, Srikakalum109 it was held by
the high court that the applications for compensation under that Scheme have
to be decided expeditiously. Where an application for compensation in a hit
and run accident had been kept pending for more than four years, direction
was issued, in writ jurisdiction, to decide the application within three months.
106

Ibid, 1988, Section 161 (3)
108
Ibid, Section 161( 4)
109
Moosola Rama Rao v. District Collector, Srikakalum, 2002 ACJ 1085 (AP)
107
88
XXIV.
Refund of Compensation Paid Under Section 161.

Section 162 of the Act deals with refund in certain cases of compensation
paid under section 161. It provides that the payment of compensation in
respect of the death of or grievous hurt to any person under section 161 shall
be subject to the condition that if any compensation or other amount in lieu
of or by way of satisfaction of a claim for compensation is awarded or paid in
respect of such death or grievous hurt under any other provision of this Act
or any other law or otherwise so much of the other compensation or other
amount aforesaid as is equal to the compensation paid under section 161 shall
be refunded to the insurer.
Before awarding compensation in respect of an accident involving the death
of, or bodily injury to, any person arising out of the use of a motor vehicle or
motor vehicles under any provision of this Act (other than section 161) or
any other law, the Tribunal Court or other authority awarding such
compensation shall verify as to whether in respect of such death or bodily
injury compensation has already been paid under section 161 or an
application for payment of compensation is pending under that section, and
such Tribunal, Court or other authority shall
a) If compensation has already been paid under section 161, direct the
person liable to pay the compensation awarded by it to refund to the
insurer, so much thereof as is required to be refunded in accordance
with the provisions of sub-section (1).
89
b) If an application for payment of compensation is pending under section

161 forward the particulars as to the compensation awarded by it to the
insurer110.
For the purpose of this sub-section, an application for compensation under
section 161 shall be deemed to be pending, if such application has been
rejected, till the date of the rejection of the application, and in any other case,
till the date of payment of compensation in pursuance of the application111.
XXV.
Scheme for Payment of Compensation in Case of Hit and Run

Motor Accidents.
Section 163 of the Act deals with scheme for payment of compensation in
case of hit and run motor accidents. It provides that the Central Government
may, by notification in the Official Gazette, make a scheme specifying, the
manner in which the scheme shall be administered by the General Insurance
Corporation, the form, manner and the time within which applications for
compensation may be made, the officers or authorities to whom such
applications may be made, the procedure to be followed by such officers or
authorities for considering and passing orders on such applications, and all
other matters connected with, or incidental to, the administration of the
scheme and the payment of compensation.
A scheme made under sub-section (1) may provide that
(a) a contravention of any provision thereof shall be punishable with
imprisonment for such term as may be specified but in no case
exceeding three months, or with fine which may extend to such amount
110
111

Ibid, Explanation to Section 162(2)
90
as may be specified but in no case exceeding five hundred rupees or

with both;
(b) the powers, functions or duties conferred or imposed on any officer or
authority by such scheme may be delegated with the prior approval in
writing of the Central Government, by such officer or authority to any
other officer or authority;
(c) any provision of such scheme may operate with retrospective effect
from a date not earlier than the date of establishment of the Solatium
Fund under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 (4 of 1939) as it stood
immediately before the commencement of this Act112.
Provided that no such retrospective effect shall be given so as to prejudicially
affect the interests of any person who may be governed by such provision113.
A hit and run accident is one in which the identity of the offending vehicle
cannot be ascertained since it had hit and run away.
In New India Assurance Co. Ltd v. Rajendra Prasad Bhatt114 it was held
by the court that a Scheme under section 163 in the name of Solatium
Scheme, 1989 has been framed and Rule 20 of that Scheme makes it clear,
that an application for compensation thereunder has to be filed in Form 1
before the Claims Enquiry Officer of the Sub-Division in which the accident
has taken place and not before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal.
In Mohammed Iyub v. Muzaheed Pasha115 it was held that in a case when
an uninsured vehicle is involved and the standing of the owner or the user of
112

Ibid, Proviso to Section 163 (2)
114
New India Assurance Co. Ltd v. Rajendra Prasad Bhatt, 2002 ACJ 1762 (MP)
115
Mohammed Iyub v. Muzaheed Pasha, 2010 (1) TAC 313 (Del.)
113
91
the vehicle is not known, the vehicle itself is the most proximate asset, in
respect of which, the claimant in a motor accident, could proceed.
Notwithstanding that the vehicle may have been under the use of a person
other than the owner for hire or otherwise, a charge ought to be fastened on
the vehicle, disabling any disposal of the vehicle to protect claimants such as
the petitioner from recovering some portion of the compensation by bringing
the vehicle to sale. There is no such legal provision available which would
operate to ensure the recovery of money by bringing such a vehicle to sale.
XXVI.
Special Provisions as to Payment of Compensation on Structured

Formula Basis.
Section 163A of the Act provides for special provisions as to payment of
compensation on structured formula basis. It provides that notwithstanding
anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force
or instrument having the force of law, the owner of the motor vehicle or the
authorised insurer shall be liable to pay in the case of death or permanent
disablement due to accident arising out of the use of motor vehicle
compensation, as indicated in the Second Schedule, to the legal heirs or the
victim, as the case may be.
For the purposes of this sub-section, permanent disability shall have the
same meaning and extent as in the Workmens Compensation Act, 1923116.
In any claim for compensation under sub-section (1), the claimant shall not
be required to plead or establish that the death or permanent disablement in
respect of which the claim has been made was due to any wrongful act or
116
Ibid, Explanation to Section 163A(1)
92
neglect or default of the owner of the vehicle or vehicles concerned or of any

other person117.
The Central Government may, keeping in view the cost of living by
notification in the Official Gazette, from time to time amend the Second
Schedule118.
Where a person is entitled to claim compensation under section 140 and
section 163-A, he shall file the claim under either of the said sections and not
under both119.
In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mehtab Bai120it was held by the
High Court that unless the legislature had made Section 163A of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988, operative retrospectively, its operation shall only be
prospective.
In Shantaben Gordhandas Bhatt v. Gujarat State Road Transport
Corporation121case it was held that in passing award for compensation in
cases of accidents occurring prior to coming in to force of Section 163A,
guidance can be taken from Second Schedule at least in the selection of
multiplier, so as to avoid innumerable mistake likely to occur in the
calculation of income of the victim and in selection of a proper multiplier122.
In Ramadevsing v. Hansrajbhai v. Kodala123 it was held by the High Court
of Gujarat that it is with this purpose that the legislature has introduced a
117
The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Section 163 A(2)

Ibid, Section 163A (3)
119
Ibid, Section 163B
120
United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mehtab Bai, AIR 1999 Raj. 293
121
Shantaben Gordhandas Bhatt v. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, 2002 ACJ 1714
122
U.P. State Road Transport Corporation v. Trilok Chandra, (1996) 4 SCC 362
123
Ramadevsing v. Hansrajbhai v. Kodala, 1999 ACJ 1129
118
93
predetermined formula to award compensation by selecting a proper

multiplier with a view to maintaining consistency and uniformity.
In Lalchandhari Shah v. Raj Nath Shah124 it was held by the Division
Bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court that section 163A is a special
provision which eliminates pleading and proof with regard to wrongful act,
neglect or default of the owner of vehicle or of any other person.
In Kanai Manna v. United India Insurance Co .Ltd.125 it was held that
where the income of the victim was more than claim under Section 163A was
held not maintainable.
In Sapna v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.126 It was held that since fault has
not to be proved, benefit under section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act,
1988, which is beneficial legislation cannot be denied to legal representatives
of the deceased.
In Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation v. Siraj Ahmed127where
amount of compensation has been determined on structured formula basis
under the Second Schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act, no interest is payable
on the principle amount unless there are special circumstances to justify the
same or the principle amount of compensation is too meager or abnormally
low.
It was held by the Supreme Court of India in the case of Padma Srinivasan
v. Premier Insurance Co. Ltd128 that if on the date of the accident the 1988
Act had not come into force and under the old Act there was no Schedule,
124
Lalchandhari Shah v. Raj Nath Shah, 2005 (1) ACJ 695 (MP) DB
Kanai Manna v. United India Insurance Co .Ltd., 2009 ACJ 544 (Cal) DB
126
Sapna v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd.,2008 ACJ 490
127
Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation v. Siraj Ahmed, 2006 ACJ 526 (Raj.)
128
Padma Srinivasan v. Premier Insurance Co. Ltd., AIR 1982 SC 836
125
94
then the multipliers then being applied were on the basis of ratio laid down
by the Supreme Court in various cases129.
XXVII.
Power of Central Government to Make Rules.

Last Section in Chapter XI of the Act is Section 164 which confers powers
on Central Government to make rules. This section provides that the Central
Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect the
provisions of this Chapter, other than the matters specified in section 159.
Sub Section (2) of Section 164 provides that without prejudice to the
generality of the foregoing power, such rules may provide for
a.
The forms to be used for the purposes of this Chapter;
b. The making of applications for and the issue of certificates of insurance;

c.
The issue of duplicates to replace certificates of insurance lost,

destroyed or mutilated;
d. The custody, production, cancellation and surrender of certificates of

insurance;
e.
The records to be maintained by insurers of policies of insurance issued

under this Chapter;
f.
The identification by certificates or otherwise of persons or vehicle

exempted from the provisions of this Chapter;
g. The furnishing of information respecting policies of insurance by

insurers;
129
Maitri Koley v. New India Assurance Co. Ltd., 2004 ACJ 46 (SC)
95
h. Adopting the provisions of this Chapter to vehicles brought into India

by persons making only a temporary stay therein or to vehicles
registered in a reciprocating country and operating on any route or
within any area in India by applying those provisions with prescribed
modifications;
i.
The form in which and the time limit within which the particulars
referred to in section 160 may be furnished; and
j.
Any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.
G. Review
In order to give effective rights to the person injured or expired in an accident,
Fatal Accidents Act, 1885 was enacted in India. This Act provided only a
procedure and a right of named legal heirs to claim compensation from the
person committing negligence. This enactment has worked in India for a
comfortable long period. Before the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 came in to
existence, the Motor Vehicles Act, 1939 was applicable. This Act was amended
several times to keep it up to date. Various Committees and the Law
Commission have gone into different aspects of road transport. They have
recommended for updating, simplification and rationalization of this law. The
Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, has been enacted with following objectives:a. Rationalization of certain definitions with additions of certain new
b. Stricter procedures relating to grant of driving licences and the period of
validity thereof.
c. Laying down of standards for the components and parts of motor vehicles.
96
d. Standards for anti-pollution control devices.

e. Provision for issuing fitness certificates of vehicles also by the authorized
testing stations.
f. Enabling provision for updating the system of registration marks.
g. Liberalized schemes for grant of stage carriage permit on non nationalized
routes, all-India Tourist permits and also national permits for goods
carriages.
h. Administration of the Solatium Scheme by the General Insurance
Corporation.
i. Provision for enhanced compensation in cases of no fault liability and in
hit and run motor accidents.
j. Provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of
actual liability to the victims of motor accidents irrespective of the class of
vehicles.
k. Maintenance of State registers for driving licences and vehicle registration.
l. Constitution of Road Safety Councils.
Section 140 of the Act provides that in case of death or permanent disablement
of any person resulting from an accident which arise out of use of a Motor
Vehicle/s, the owner of offending vehicle/s shall be liable jointly or severally to
pay compensation in respect of such death or permanent disablement. Under this
section amount of compensation is a fixed amount of Rs. 50,000/- in case of
death and Rs. 25,000/- in case of permanent disablement. Compensation
awarded under this section does not bar the victim to claim compensation under
97
any other law for the time being in force, though the amount of such
compensation to be given under any other law shall be reduced by the amount of
compensation payable under no fault liability under this section or in accordance
with the structured formula laid down under schedule -2 to this Act read with
Section 163A of the Act.
The Insurance Company cannot avoid the liability except on the grounds, which
have been provided in Section 149(2) and not any other ground. In recent times,
Supreme Court while dealing with the provisions of Motor Vehicle Act has held
that even if the defence has been pleaded and proved by the Insurance Company,
they are not absolved from liability to make payment to the third party but can
receive such amount from the owner insured. If knowledge or connivance has
not been proved, the Insurance Company shall remain liable even if defence is
available.
Section 161 of the Act provides for special provisions as to compensation in case
of hit and run motor accident and Section 163 of the Act deals with scheme for
payment of compensation in case of hit and run motor accidents.
Section 163A of the Act provides for special provisions as to payment of
compensation on structured formula basis. It provides that notwithstanding
anything contained in this Act or in any other law for the time being in force or
instrument having the force of law, the owner of the motor vehicle of the
authorised insurer shall be liable to pay in the case of death or permanent
disablement due to accident arising out of the use of motor vehicle,
compensation, as indicated in the Second Schedule, to the legal heirs or the
victim, as the case may be.

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23

The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, Statement of Objects and Reasons

Group, these were discussed in a specially convened meeting of Transport

II. The Motor Vehicles Act, 1988

j. Provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of

III. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994

public regarding the inconvenience faced by them because of the operation of

The introduction of newer type of vehicles and fast increasing number of

b. Providing adequate compensation to victims of road accidents without

Protecting consumers interest in Transport Sector.

d. Concern for road safety standards, transport of hazardous chemicals and

Delegation of greater powers to State Transport Authorities and

The simplification of procedures and policy liberalization in the field of

g. Enhancing penalties for traffic offenders11.

IV. Law Commissions 119th Report

Modification and amplification of certain definitions of new type of

b. Simplification of procedure for grant of driving licences.

Putting restrictions on the alteration of vehicles.

d. Certain exemptions for vehicles running on non-polluting fuels.

Ceilings on individuals or company holdings removed to curb

States authorized to appoint one or more State Transport Appellate

g. Punitive checks on the use of such components that do not conform to

Removal of time limit for filling of application by road accident

Punishment in case of certain offences is made stringent.

k. A new pre-determined formula for payment of compensation to road

V. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act 2000

powers on the Central Government to allow the alteration of vehicles for

VI. The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2001

Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 1994, are operating without any requirement of

C. Object and Scope

To take care of the fast increasing number of both commercial vehicles

The need for encouraging adoption of higher technology in automotive

Concern for road safety standards, and pollution-control measures,

Simplification of procedure and policy liberalizations for private sector

Need for effective ways of tracking down traffic offenders.

Stricter procedures relating to grant of driving licences and the period of

Laying down of standards for the components and parts of motor

Standards for anti-pollution control devices.

Enabling provision for updating the system of registration marks.

Administration of the Solatium Scheme by the General Insurance

Provision for enhanced compensation in cases of no fault liability and

Provision for payment of compensation by the insurer to the extent of

Maintenance of State registers for driving licences and vehicle

Constitution of Road Safety Councils.

Providing adequate compensation to victims of road accidents without

Protecting consumers interest in Transport Sector.

Delegation of greater powers to State Transport Authorities and

The simplification of procedures and policy liberalization in the field of

Enhancing penalties for traffic offenders.

Simplification of procedure for grant of driving licences.

Putting restrictions on the alteration of vehicles.

States authorized to appoint one or more State Transport Appellate

Punitive checks on the use of such components that do not conform to

Increase in the amount of compensation of the victims of hit and run

Removal of time limit for filling of application by road accident victims

Punishment in case of certain offences is made stringent.

D. Definitions The Genus and Species of Motor Vehicles

The Motor Vehicle Act, 1988, Statement of Objects and Reasons

Articulated Vehicle means a motor vehicle to which a semi-trailer is