1.                     The brief history of the case of the complainant is that he applied to the OP to get the maturity benefit of his LIC Policy bearing No.570188612  with LIC, Jeypore Branch and also submitted necessary documents as desired by the OP from time to time.  It is submitted that the OP without settling the claim under the policy, is insisting for some new formalities to which the complainant has already complied.  Further it is submitted that in spite of completion of formalities, the OP is not settling the claim.  Thus alleging deficiency in service on the part of the OP, the complainant has filed this case praying the Forum to direct the OP to settle the claim under the policy and to pay Rs.10, 000/- towards compensation to the complainant.

2.                     The OP filed counter contending that Policy No.570188612 dt.15.2.1999 with monthly (SSS) Rs.89/- for SA Rs.15000/-, Maturity-15.2.2014 was issued in favour  of Seba Sing, S/o. late Basudev Sing but as per policy master, the communication address of policy holder is Sri Seba Sing, C/o. Hrusikesh Jena, At-RARS, OUAT, Semiliguda, Dist-Koraput.  The complainant has applied for maturity benefit under the policy and submitted discharge voucher, Indemnity Bond in lieu of Policy Bond, Surety Form, Bank particulars, copy of Voter I. Card and deduction certificate from employer but as per the information supplied by the complainant, his name is Siba Sing, S/o. Trinath Sing.  Further, the age of the complainant as per Voter Card is 39 years as on 01.01.2002 whereas the date of birth of policy holder as per LIC record is 02.07.1971.  The OP also further contended that the signature of the policy holder in the proposal form of the policy and in the discharge voucher also differs and on intimation to the complainant regarding such discrepancies, he informed the OP that he had not signed the proposal form and the name of his wife is not Smt. K. K. Sing as mentioned in the proposal form.  The OP submitted that the complainant is a stranger to the OP and the policy in question was not issued in his favour.  Thus denying any fault on its part, the OP prayed to dismiss the case of the complainant.

3.                     Both the parties have filed certain documents in support of their cases.  Heard from the A/R for the OP in absence of the complainant and perused the materials on record.

4.                     In this case, the complainant stated that he claimed maturity benefit of his  policy bearing No.670188612 by submitting necessary documents but the OP is harassing the complainant by asking to fulfill some other new formalities time to time.  The OP stated that the alleged policy was commenced from 15.2.1999 for 15 years with S.A. of Rs.15, 000/- and the policy was issued to Sri Seba Sing, C/o. Hrusikesh Jena, At-RARS, OUAT, Semiliguda, Koraput but the complainant, Siba Sing has furnished necessary documents claiming the maturity benefit.  According to the OP, Sri Siba Sing is a stranger to them and as such not their consumer.

5.                     On perusal of record it is seen that the policy commenced from 15.2.1999 and matured on 15.2.2014 and a sum of Rs.89/- p.m. was regularly deducted from the salary of the present complainant towards the subject policy.  The Executive Engineer, P.H. Division, Koraput who is the employer of the complainant has also wrote a letter with a copy vide Memo No.9000 dt.28.12.2009 to the Complainant stating that he is depositing an amount of Rs.89/- p.m. by deducting the same from the salary of the complainant and requested the OP to issue policy bond in favour of the complainant as he had not received the bond from the OP.  From the above facts, it was clearly ascertained from the above letter of the employer that the complainant-Siba Sing was paying premiums from his salary to the Policy No.570188612.

6.                     From the counter of OP, it is also seen that no other person has ever claimed for the maturity benefit under the policy except the complainant after maturity of the policy.  In order to facilitate the OP to effect a safe payment, the complainant has also furnished the discharge voucher duly signed, Indemnity Bond in Form No.3815 in lieu of original bond, Surety Form (Form No.3807), bank particulars, copy of Voters I. D. and deduction certificate from the employer as admitted by OP in its counter.  It is seen that the OP has not enquired into the matter with the Agent who obtained the proposal under the policy in question.  Further the entire premium amount has been deducted from the salary of the complainant and deposited with the OP.  The complainant has also furnished Indemnity Bond before the OP which is a protection against the damage or loss and by executing the bond the complainant promised to pay for any of the happenings.  In the above facts and circumstances, we feel that there will be no harm for the OP if the maturity amount is settled in favour of the complainant under the subject policy.  At the same time, we are not inclined to award any compensation or cost in favour of the complainant.

7.                     Hence ordered that the complaint petition is allowed in part and the OP is directed to pay the maturity amount under Policy No.570188612 as per the premium received with other attached benefits, if any, to the complainant within 30 days from the date of communication of this order.

(to dict.)