Case Name: Aviva Life Insurance Company India Ltd. vs. Praveen Gavri
Court/Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appeal Nos. /2025 [SLP [C] Nos.12672‑12673/2026]
Order Date: 27 May 2026
Originating Orders: Impugned final judgment and order dated 23‑09‑2025 (CR No. 5608/2025) and 21‑01‑2026 (RACR No. 169/2025) passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh
Parties Involved
Petitioner: Aviva Life Insurance Company India Ltd.
Respondent: Praveen Gavri.
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Prasenjit Keshwani, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Anuj Bhandari, AOR.
Counsel for Respondent: Mr. S. Nandakumar, Sr. Adv.; Mr. Rao Bhagat Singh; Ms. Deepika Nandakumar, AOR; Mr. Amit Yadav, AOR; Ms. Kanimozhi J.
Bench: Hon'ble Mr. Justice M.M. Sundresh and Hon'ble Mr. Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh.
Issues / Allegations / Violations
The primary grievance highlighted by the appellant was that the impugned order was passed without hearing the appellant, violating principles of natural justice.
Findings & Observations
The Court noted that the fact that the order was passed without hearing the appellant was undisputed and therefore sufficient to set aside the order.
No further substantive merits of the dispute were examined, as the procedural lapse alone warranted relief.
Penalties / Settlements / Directions
Set‑aside: The impugned order is set aside.
Remand: Matter remitted back to the High Court of Punjab & Haryana for fresh consideration.
Stay: Stay of proceedings before the 1st Appellate Court until the High Court disposes of the remanded matter.
Expedited Hearing: The Supreme Court requests the High Court to expedite the hearing.
Pending Applications: Any pending applications shall stand disposed of.
Corrective Actions & Future Obligations
The High Court must conduct a fresh hearing, ensuring that the appellant is given an opportunity to be heard.
The High Court is directed to expedite the matter, adhering to the Supreme Court’s instruction.
Final Ruling & Enforcement
The appeals are allowed.
The impugned order is set aside.
The case is remitted to the High Court for fresh consideration with a stay on lower‑court proceedings.
All pending applications, if any, are to be disposed of.
The order is signed by Justices M.M. Sundresh and Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh on 27‑05‑2026 and recorded by the Deputy Registrar.
