HC issues bailable warrant against UP civic body official

The Madras High Court has issued a bailable warrant against the Executive Officer of Etah town municipality in Uttar Pradesh for non-appearance in connection with an insurance award made by a tribunal related to a road accident involving the civic body's vehicle in 2004.
A bench comprising justices M M Sundresh and M S Ramesh ordered the official to appear in the court on December 21 next when an appeal by United India Insurance Company Limited, Chennai, came up for hearing earlier this week.
The company has sought a stay on all proceedings pursuant to the award granted by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal here on August 28, 2007 ordering it to pay Rs 28.27 lakh with 7.5 per cent interest from April 16, 2004. It amounted to Rs 55.03 lakh as on date.

The tribunal had directed the United India Insurance to pay the sum to the family of 48-year-old M Pandidurai, who was a Production Officer in Hindustan Lever Ltd when he died in the accident on January 28, 2004 involving a tractor trailer belonging to the Nagar Palika on Kaskanj Road, Etah.
In its appeal, the insurance company contended that the vehicle was not insured with it on the date of accident and even the high court had found that it was so.
The Nagar Palika had failed to appear to answer the claim of the widow, two children and85-year-old mother of the deceased.

Taking serious note of non-appearance of the Nagar Palika by itself or through counsel, the court issued the bailable warrant.