#First Appeal

The Punjab State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission held that an insurer’s refund of premium without informing the insured constitutes a deficiency in service under Section 12 of the CPA 1986, leaving the policyholder uninsured at the time of loss. It affirmed compensation of ₹9 lakh with 8% interest, ₹2 lakh for mental agony and ₹21,000 costs, affecting policyholders who rely on timely renewal notices.

The Calcutta High Court held that COVID-19 limitation relaxations cannot revive suits time-barred pre-pandemic, dismissing an appeal delayed by 2179 days and ruling that unsubstantiated age/ill-health claims lack sufficient cause under Section 5 Limitation Act.

By accepting the parties’ admission of signatures, the Delhi HC declared the 1994-95 promissory notes genuine, invoking Section 139 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. The decision confirms that statutory presumption of authenticity trumps handwriting doubts, guiding future forgery challenges.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that a first appeal under Section 96 of the CPC cannot be limited to selected questions; the appellate court must adjudicate every point contested in the lower decree. This ensures comprehensive review and prevents piecemeal litigation in property disputes. Parties to first appeals must now raise all grievances at the appellate stage.

An insurer’s denial of a valid medical claim was deemed a deficiency of service under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, prompting the Tripura State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission to order compensation for mental agony with statutory interest. Policyholders can now claim mental-agony damages when insurers unjustifiably reject claims.

A Gujarat High Court ruled that under Section 96 of the CPC a first appeal may be filed against only a single decree, barring a combined challenge to both the suit decree and the counter-claim decree. Litigants must file separate appeals for each decree, reinforcing procedural compliance in civil appeals.