DATE OF FILING                    :     19-06-2012.

DATE OF S/R                            :      19-07-2012.

DATE OF FINAL ORDER      :     17-08-2012.

Sri Sitaram Shee,

son of late Murari Mohan Shee,

proprietor of M/S. Annapurna Krishi Bhandar,

of village – Samaspur, P.S. Shyampur,

District –Howrah---------------------------------------------------------------  COMPLAINANT.

-          Versus   -

1.            National Insurance Co. Ltd.,

            having its registered office at

            3, Middleton Street,

            Kolkata – 700 001.    

2.             National Insurance Company Ltd.,

       having its branch office at Bazarpara, Uluberia,

       District – Howrah. -----------------------------------------------OPPOSITE PARTIES.

                                                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 complainant   U/S 12 of the  C.P.  Act, 1986,

as amended against the O.Ps.  alleging deficiency in service U/S 2( 1 )( g ),  2( 1 )( o ) of the C.P. Act, 1986 wherein the complainant has prayed for direction upon the O.Ps. National Insurance Company Ltd. to release the claim amount to the tune of Rs. 3,22,300/- together with compensation to the tune of Rs. 7 lacs with other reliefs as the o.ps. repudiated the fire claim amount on the basis of the report of the surveyor appointed by the o.p. company. The complainant started the fire and theft insurance policy since 1987 and renewed the same year by year and the last insurance was valid till mid night of 27-11-2005 for Rs. 3,50,000/-. The fire broke out in the night of 02-02-2005  in the shop of the complainant where huge quantity of fertilizers and pesticides and other goods were stored and were rendered unworthy of use for the unfortunate fire. All the attempts on the part of the complainant for releasing the claim amount as per insurance policy went unheeded. Hence the complaint.

2.         In spite of proper service of notice the o.ps. did not turn up so the case was heard ex parte.

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

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

ii)                  Whether the complainant is  entitled to get any relief as prayed for ? 

DECISION  WITH   REASONS      :

4.         Both the points are  taken up together for consideration. Perused the enclosures issued by State Bank of India towards sanction of credit facilities, policy itself and other photo copies of the relevant documents. In view of the enclosures we are of the view that the prayer of the complainant shall be allowed.       

      Points under consideration are accordingly decided.

      Hence,

                                    O     R     D      E      R      E        D

      That the C. C. Case No. 64 of 2012 ( HDF  64 of 2012)  be  allowed ex parte with  costs  against  the O.Ps.  

      The o.ps. be directed to release the claim amount to the tune of Rs. 3,22,300/- against Policy No. 153504/11/04/3100183 within 30 days from the date of this order failing the amount shall carry interest @ Rs. 12% per annum.

      The complainant is further entitled to a compensation   of Rs. 1,00,000/-  for mental agony and prolonged harassment.

      The complainant is entitled to the litigation costs of Rs. 5,000/- from the o.ps.

      The o.ps. be directed to pay the aforesaid amount  within one month from the date of this order failing the complainant is 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.