Archive · 5 Oct 2026
Chandigarh Commission Orders Insurer to Pay Widow Rs 60 Lakh
A Chandigarh Police head constable was hurt in a scooter accident in July 2022 and later died.
His wife asked for money from an accident insurance policy.
The insurer refused, saying hospital records showed a history of alcohol use.
The commission said that a history of drinking does not prove someone was drunk during an accident.
It noted that there was no blood-alcohol test or breathalyser report to show he was intoxicated then.
The commission ruled that the insurer had not proved the policy exclusion applied.
It ordered the insurer and a bank to pay his widow Rs 60 lakh.
It also ordered them to pay Rs 20,000 for her distress, harassment and legal costs.
A Chandigarh Police head constable was injured in a scooter accident on July 2, 2022, and died from his injuries on July 18.
His widow sought the accidental death benefit under a policy arranged for Chandigarh Police personnel with salary accounts at a private bank.
The insurer rejected the claim in October 2022, arguing that hospital records indicated the head constable was intoxicated.
The commission said the record noted a history of alcohol consumption but did not establish intoxication at the time of the accident; it also noted the absence of blood-alcohol or breathalyser evidence.
The commission ordered the insurer and bank to pay the widow Rs 60 lakh, plus Rs 20,000 for mental agony, harassment and litigation costs.
- Who
- The widow of a Chandigarh Police head constable; a private insurer and a bank were ordered to pay her.
- What
- The Chandigarh District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission ordered payment of Rs 60 lakh and an additional Rs 20,000.
- When
- The accident occurred on July 2, 2022, and the head constable died on July 18, 2022. The order was dated September 22; its year is not stated.
- Where
- Chandigarh; the head constable was initially treated in Ludhiana and later at a government medical college and hospital in Chandigarh.
- Why
- The commission found that a hospital record noting a history of alcohol consumption did not prove intoxication at the time of the accident.
Insurer and bank's positions
Commission's findings
Alcohol-related policy exclusion
Insurer and bank's positions
The insurer argued that hospital records indicated the head constable was under the influence of alcohol, bringing his death within a policy exclusion and disentitling his widow to the benefit.
Commission's findings
The commission said a recorded history of alcohol consumption was not proof of intoxication at the time of the accident, and found no supporting medical or scientific evidence such as a blood-alcohol test or breathalyser report.
Responsibility for the claim
Insurer and bank's positions
The bank said its role was limited to facilitating the insurance arrangement and forwarding documents; the insurer made the decision on the claim.
Commission's findings
The commission directed both the insurer and the bank to pay the widow Rs 60 lakh, along with Rs 20,000 in compensation and costs.
- Accident date
- July 2, 2022
- Date of death
- July 18, 2022
- Claim rejected
- October 2022
- Insurance benefit ordered
- Rs 60 lakh
- Additional award
- Rs 20,000 for mental agony, harassment and litigation costs
- Policy arrangement
- Chandigarh Police personnel with salary accounts at the bank were covered under an accidental death policy pursuant to a memorandum of understanding dated October 30, 2021.
- Evidence noted by commission
- The hospital summary recorded a history of alcohol consumption; the commission noted no blood-alcohol test or breathalyser report establishing intoxication at the time of the accident.
