Case Details

  • Case Name: Special Leave Petition (Civil) Diary No. 6867/2026
  • Petitioners: The Branch Manager, Branch Office, Royal Sundaram General Insurance Co. Ltd.
  • Respondents: Sri Veeresh & Ors.
  • Court: Supreme Court of India
  • Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice Pankaj Mithal, Hon'ble Mr. Justice S.V.N. Bhatti
  • Order Date: 27-05-2026 (hearing on 26-05-2026)
  • Reference: Impugned High Court judgment dated 10-12-2024 in MFA No. 1948/2019

Parties Involved

  • Petitioner Counsel: Mr. Vishal Meghwal (Advocate on Record), Mr. Jagdish Chandra, Ms. Aishwarya Sinha
  • Court Officials: Geeta Ahuja (Deputy Registrar), Nidhi Mathur (Court Master)
  • Respondents: Sri Veeresh and others (individuals)

Issues / Allegations / Violations

  • The Karnataka High Court directed Royal Sundaram to provide a Rs.10,00,000 free Medical Insurance Policy to the respondents.
  • Petitioners contend that this direction is beyond the scope of Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and therefore unlawful.

Findings & Observations

  • The Supreme Court observed that the High Court’s directive exceeds the statutory limits of Section 168, which does not empower a insurer to issue a free policy of the stated amount.

Penalties / Settlements / Directions

  • Delay condoned for filing the petition.
  • Notice issued to the respondents, to be returned within six weeks of the order.
  • The portion of the High Court award directing the free medical insurance policy is stayed pending further determination.

Corrective Actions & Future Obligations

  • Respondents must file the required notice within the stipulated six‑week period.
  • The stay on the free‑policy award remains in effect until the Supreme Court decides on the merits.

Final Ruling & Enforcement

  • The Supreme Court stays the High Court’s order to provide the Rs.10 lakh free medical policy.
  • The matter will proceed based on the notice filed, and the stay will continue until a final decision is rendered.