Petition for Special Leave to Appeal (C) No. 18518/2026, arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 18-03-2026 in FAFO No. 184/2025 of the High Court, Allahabad (Lucknow Bench).
Supreme Court of India, Item No.32 Court No.9 Section XI.
Hearing date: 26-05-2026.
Dispute involves alleged fraudulent use of a single vehicle in three separate accident claim petitions (Claim Petition No. 408/2018 – Faizabad; Claim Petition No. 134/2018 – Faizabad; Claim Petition No. 240/2021 – Barabanki).
Parties Involved
Petitioner: ICICI LOMBARD GENERAL INSURANCE CO. LTD.
Respondents: Shashi Bala & Ors.
Potential Additional Respondent: State of Uttar Pradesh (to be impleaded as party‑respondent).
Counsel for Respondents: Mr. Santosh Kumar Pandey (AOR).
Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Pankaj Mithal and Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.V.N. Bhatti.
Issues / Allegations / Violations
Petition alleges fraud: the same vehicle was involved in three different accidents, leading to three separate accident claim petitions.
FIRs for the three claims were lodged with delay; no eye‑witnesses were identified.
Police submitted charge sheets in all three cases, which the Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Uttar Pradesh described as fraudulent.
The petitioner seeks a stay of the Tribunal’s order dated 09.01.2025 and asks the Court to examine actions against police officers who prepared the charge sheets.
Findings & Observations
The Court notes the serious nature of the alleged fraud and the need for State involvement.
It permits the petitioner to implead the State of Uttar Pradesh as a party‑respondent, acknowledging the State’s affidavit filed before the High Court.
The Court directs issuance of notice to the State and allows the petitioner to file a counter‑affidavit.
Penalties / Settlements / Directions
Stay of the impugned Tribunal order dated 09.01.2025 is granted, subject to conditions.
ICICI Lombard must deposit half of the amount awarded along with 7% per annum interest on that half, within one month from the date of the order.
The deposited amount shall be placed in a fixed deposit with a nationalized bank and cannot be released to the claimants without the Court’s leave.
Corrective Actions & Future Obligations
The State of Uttar Pradesh is required to file a counter‑affidavit and any instructions within four weeks from the date of the order.
The Court will consider tagging this petition with SLP(C) No. 2795/2026, under which similar fraudulent cases are being monitored.
The amended cause title must be filed within a week.
Final Ruling & Enforcement
The stay order is effective immediately upon compliance with the deposit condition.
The matter is listed for further hearing immediately after the expiry of the four‑week period, to assess the State’s response and decide on tagging with the related SLP.
All further actions, including release of the deposited funds, are subject to the Court’s explicit permission.
