Concerned over long pendency of motor accident cases, says Punjab and Haryana High Court

Saurabh Malik

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 18

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has expressed concern over the prolonged pendency of motor accident cases, explicitly warning insurance companies that further adjournments will not be granted in the old cases.

Taking up one such case, Justice Sudeepti Sharma of the high court referred to the chronic issue of unresolved cases dating back to 2006-07, primarily due to repeated non-appearance of insurance company counsel.

“This court is distressed to note that these cases, dating back to 2006-07 and pertaining to motor vehicles accident, have faced considerable delay(s). The expeditious adjudication of these cases is imperative,” Justice Sharma noted.

The Bench asserted that counsel for insurance companies frequently failed to appear despite clear directives, exacerbating the delay in delivering justice.

Justice Sharma made it clear that adjournments would not be granted in such cases. “Previously also, in certain cases, this court had made it clear that no adjournment would be granted in old cases,” the Bench reiterated.

Justice Sharma directed that the court would proceed with adjudicating the cases based on the available record if insurance company counsel did not appear in future hearings.

Additionally, the court would request assistance from other empanelled counsel present in the court to ensure that the hearings proceed without further delays.

The high court registry was instructed to forward copies of the order to notify all insurance companies about pending motor accident claims tribunal (MACT) cases.