1.      Sri  Akshay Kumar Roy,

s/o lt. Bijoy Krishna Roy,

residing at 42/3, Narasingha  Dutta Road,

P.O. Kadamtala, P.S. Bantra,

District – Howrah.

2.      Smt. Madhabi Roy,

w/o. Sri Akshay  Kumar Roy,

residing at 42/3, Narsingha Dutt Road, P.O. Kadamtala,

P.S. Bantra, District – Howrah.------------------------------------- COMPLAINANTS.

-          Versus   -

Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Limited,

Central Processing Centre,

8^th floor, Godroj  Coliscum,

behind Everard Nager, Sion ( East ),

Mumbai – 400 022.

Registered Office,

9^th floor, Godrej Coliscum,

behind Everard Nagar, Sion ( East ),

Mumbai – 400 022.

Kolkata Office

7^th floor, Appeejay House,

Block -  C, 15 Park Street,

Kolkata – 700 015. -----------------------------------------------------------OPPOSITE PARTY.

                                                P    R    E     S    E    N     T

President     :     Shri T.K. Bhattacharya, M.A. LL.B. WBHJS.

Member      :      Shri P.K. Chatterjee.

Member       :     Smt. Jhumki Saha.

                                                 F  I   N   A    L       O   R   D    E     R

1.                  The instant case was filed by complainants U/S 12 of the C.P. Act, 1986

wherein the complainants have  prayed for direction upon the o.p. to continue the policies standing in the name of the complainants bearing nos. 01530591 and 01530597 dated 13-09-2009 till 13-09-2009 till 13-03-2019 and to pay compensation to the tune of Rs. 3,20,661/- as the O.P. in spite of receiving the premium dated 05-03-2010 did not regularize the policy and declared the policies to be lapsed

2.                  The o.p. in the written version contended interalia that the complainants  

within the grace period of 30 days did not make payment of the premium and as such the policy automatically lapsed.

3.         Upon pleadings of both parties two points arose for determination :

i)          Is there any deficiency in service on the part of the O.P.  ?

ii)                  Whether the complainants are  entitled to get any relief as prayed for ? 

DECISION  WITH   REASONS      :

4.      Both the points are  taken up together for consideration. The receipt issued by

A.N.R. Company Serve Pvt. Ltd. having office at Howrah and being the agent of the O.P. Kotak Mahindra Old Mutual Life Insurance Company Ltd. confirms that the complainants deposited premium of Rs. 30,000/- ( Rs. 15,000/- each )  for continuation of the policy. It is further evident that the complainants made correspondences with the O.P. on 15/04, 30/4, 28/5, 30/5, 03/06, 10/06 and 02/08 in year 2010 for receiving confirmed receipt. But the O.P.  remained complacent and ignored the matter.

5.      The argument put forward by the ld. Lawyer for the O.P. that the willing party

who intends to deposit cash must go the company’s office  does not merit acceptance. The complainants were inducted at the behest of A.N.R. Company Serve Pvt. Ltd. and naturally, they are dependent on the advice of the agent who has franchise with the O.P.  Since it is evident that the complainants deposited Rs. 30,000/- for the next premium, the O.P. cannot have any leg to stand upon. It is immaterial whether the A.N.R. Company is closed or still running its office at its Howrah address. It is the duty of the O.P. to realize the amount from his agent.  The complainants cannot be held responsible for nonpayment of the premium, nor their policies can be declared lapsed on fragile pretext. 

      Therefore, we are of the view that this is a fit case where the prayer of the complainants shall be allowed. Both the points are accordingly disposed of.         

      Hence,

O     R     D      E      R      E        D

      That the C. C. Case No. 114 of 2013 ( HDF  114 of 2013 )  be  allowed on contest with  costs  against  the O.P. 

      The O.P. be directed to make arrangement for continuation of the policies being nos. 01530591 and 01530597 dated 13-09-2009 to be valid till 13-03-2019 after receiving the subsequent premiums from the complainants within 30 days from the date of this order.

      The o.p. be further directed to pay a compensation to the tune of Rs. 20,000/- to the complainants for causing mental pain, agony and prolonged harassment. 

      The complainants are also entitled to a litigation cost of Rs. 5,000/- from the O.P.

      The complainants are at liberty to put the decree into execution after expiry of the appeal period.

      Supply the copies of the order to the parties, as per rule.

DICTATED  &    CORRECTED

BY   ME.  

  (    T.K. Bhattacharya  )                                               (    T.K. Bhattacharya  )

  President,  C.D.R.F.,Howrah.                                   President, C.D.R.F.,Howrah.

(  P. K. Chatterjee )

Member,  C.D.R.F.,Howrah.