Karnataka high court says fake accident claims are rampant

The high court on Tuesday observed that in many motor vehicle accident compensation claim cases, natural deaths had been shown as accidents.

Padma, a widow, had challenged in the motor vehicle claim tribunal in Bangalore that her husband Devraj died on May 17, 2005 while riding a two-wheeler near Bangarpet police station in Kolar. ‘

While riding the two-wheeler he was hit by a tractor. The tribunal had awarded a compensation of `3.85 lakh.

This was challenged by the New India Assurance Company Limited in the high court. Their contention was that there was no mention of the tractor in the FIR lodged by Devraj’s relatives.

The case came up for hearing before the division bench headed by justice KL Manjunath.

The bench observed that several false motor vehicle claim cases were coming to the court. A day may come when all these cases have to be referred to the CBI.

In many cases, natural deaths have been depicted as accidents. “We should also take action against the police too,” he said.

The division bench, which found that a false claim case has been filed, directed the registry of the high court to send a file to the jurisdictional police to re-investigate.

They, in turn, should refer the case to the COD and file a periodical report to the court.