#statutory liability

The Karnataka High Court has ruled that employers cannot evade full statutory damages under Section 14B of the EPF Act by citing technical issues in online remittance uploads. The order quashes a 50% reduction of Rs. 2.42 lakh, reinforcing that compliance is non-negotiable and digital barriers do not override statutory obligations - a critical precedent for all EPF-covered establishments.

The Bombay High Court ruled that an insurer cannot deny third-party compensation merely on allegations of a driver’s invalid license if it fails to prove the claim through proper evidence. This reinforces the statutory obligation under Section 147 of the Motor Vehicles Act, ensuring victims are protected regardless of policy breaches between insurer and insured, and places the burden squarely on the insurer to substantiate defenses.

MP High Court rules that an insurance company cannot be removed from a motor accident claim merely on its allegations of lapsed coverage. The tribunal must adjudicate the dispute through evidence before deleting the insurer as a party, ensuring procedural fairness in claims under the Motor Vehicles Act.

The Supreme Court held that group insurance payouts, being contractual and independent of statutory liability, cannot be deducted from compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act. This ruling reinforces the principle that statutory compensation must remain unreduced by unrelated benefits, ensuring just relief for accident victims and their dependents.

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.

Chhattisgarh High Court holds insurer liable to pay third-party compensation even if premium cheque is dishonoured, unless cancellation notice reached insured prior to accident.

Bombay High Court holds that minor discrepancies in driver's licence name do not void insurance liability under MV Act if valid L.M.V. licence is otherwise established.

Bombay High Court holds that directors cannot be held personally liable for Employees' State Insurance dues under Section 45A; liability rests solely with the company.