#registered owner liability

The Madhya Pradesh High Court reaffirms that under Section 2(30) of the Motor Vehicles Act, ownership is defined by RTO registration, not private sale agreements. This means sellers remain legally and financially responsible for accidents until ownership is formally transferred, placing the burden on buyers and sellers to complete RTO formalities to avoid liability.

Punjab & Haryana High Court reaffirms that the registered owner of a vehicle under Section 2(30) of the Motor Vehicles Act remains statutorily liable for compensation to accident victims, even if the vehicle was sold but the transfer was not recorded with the registering authority. The ruling underscores that victims' rights to compensation prevail over informal sale agreements.

The Punjab & Haryana High Court ruled that statutory liability under the Motor Vehicles Act persists with the registered owner for motor accident compensation claims, even after private sale, unless the transfer is formally recorded with the RTO. This judgment reinforces victim protection by preventing liability evasion through unregistered transactions, directly impacting sellers, buyers, and insurance stakeholders in motor accident claims.