HC directs TN govt to amend Motor Accident Claims Tribunal

The Madras High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to amend the state's motor vehicles accident claims tribunal rules in order to accord legal status to the online platform that has been put in place by the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB).
Justice P N Prakash gave the direction yesterday on a petition filed by Cholamandalam General Insurance Co. Ltd, seeking a direction to Cuddalore police to consider its complaint lodged on May 6, 2015 for re-investigation of an FIR dated May 14, 2010.
The complaint alleged fabrication of documents by a road accident victim, who had made a claim by falsely implicating the vehicle said to have been insured with the petitioner company.

Earlier, following a court direction,the DGP,represented by the SCRB, filed a status report of compliance on September 9 2016, stating they had completed total compliance and introduced Detailed Accidents Report to all stakeholders, including innocent accident victims, drivers and owners of the motor vehicles, at a downloading cost of Rs 10 per document.
The state transport corporations have also been covered.
However, the judge said it may be appropriate for the state government to introduce the DAR regime or 'Agreed Procedure' as part of the TN Motor Vehicles Accident Claims Tribunal Rules, 1989, to lend it support.

To this, the Public Prosecutor agreed to consider the suggestion and assured to take steps in this connection.

The judge then said the state government will expedite the process and make it a reality as soon as it is possible.
"The Act has to be amended for giving legal imprimatur to the online platform that has now been put in place," the judge added.