2005 (12) TMI 585 - SC - Indian Laws

Accident Claims - 'Doctrine of election' - 'Rule of estoppel' - Whether an insurer, while defending an action initiated under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, ('1923 Act') is precluded from raising any defence as envisaged in under sub-section (2) of Section 149 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, ('the 1988 Act') ? - HELD THAT - Under the 1988 Act, the driver of the vehicle is liable but he would not be liable in a case arising under the 1923 Act. If the driver of the vehicle has no licence, the insurer would not be liable to indemnify the insured. In a given situation, the Accident Claims Tribunal, having regard to its rights and liabilities vis- -vis the third person may direct the insurance company to meet the liabilities of the insurer, permitting it to recover the same from the insured. The 1923 Act does not envisage such a situation. Role of Reference by incorporation has limited application. A limited right to defend a claim petition arising under one statute cannot be held to be applicable in a claim petition arising under a different statute unless there exists express provision therefor. Section 143 of the 1988 Act makes the provisions of the 1923 Act applicable only in a case arising out of no fault liability, as contained in Chapter X of the 1988 Act. The provisions of Section 143, therefore, cannot be said to have any application in relation to a claim petition filed under Chapter XI thereof. A fortiori in a claim arising under Chapter XI, the provisions of the 1923 Act will have no application. A party to a lis, having regard to the different provisions of the two Acts cannot enforce liabilities of the insurer under both the Acts. He has to elect for one. Section 167 of the 1988 Act statutorily provides for an option to the claimant stating that where the death of or bodily injury to any person gives rise to a claim for compensation under the 1988 Act as also the 1923 Act, the person entitled to compensation may without prejudice to the provisions of Chapter X claim such compensation under either of those Acts but not under both. Section 167 contains a non-obstante clause providing for such an option notwithstanding anything contained in the 1923 Act. The ' doctrine of election' is a branch of 'rule of estoppel', in terms whereof a person may be precluded by his actions or conduct or silence when it is his duty to speak, from asserting a right which he otherwise would have had. The doctrine of election postulates that when two remedies are available for the same relief, the aggrieved party has the option to elect either of them but not both. .Although there are certain exceptions to the same rule but the same has no application in the instant case. Thus, appeals are allowed and the matters are remitted to the High Court for consideration of these appeals afresh on merit. The appeals, it is needless to say, would be entertained only in the event, the Appellants satisfy the requirements contained in the proviso appended to sub-section (1) of Section 30 of the 1923 Act.

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Applicability of defenses under Section 149(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in proceedings under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923.
2. Right of appeal for insurers under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988.
3. Doctrine of election and its application in choosing between remedies under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923.

Detailed Analysis:

Issue 1: Applicability of Defenses under Section 149(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in Proceedings under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
The primary question was whether an insurer could raise defenses under Section 149(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, while defending a claim under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923. The High Court had previously concluded that the defenses available under Section 149(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act do not apply to proceedings under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The Full Bench of the High Court held that the insurer could only challenge violations of policy conditions to raise a substantial question of law under the Workmen's Compensation Act. The Supreme Court, however, clarified that the applicability of the 1988 Act in proceedings under the 1923 Act is limited to Chapter X, which deals with no-fault liability. The defenses under Section 149(2) of the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be extended to claims under the Workmen's Compensation Act.

Issue 2: Right of Appeal for Insurers under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, and the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988
The Supreme Court examined the scope and ambit of appeals under Section 30 of the Workmen's Compensation Act and Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act. The Court noted that the right of appeal is a statutory creature and varies under different statutes. Under the Workmen's Compensation Act, negligence need not be proved; the focus is on whether the workman suffered injuries or died during employment. The Court emphasized that the defenses and scope of appeals under the two Acts are distinct. The insurer's appeal rights under the Workmen's Compensation Act are limited to substantial questions of law, unlike the broader grounds available under the Motor Vehicles Act when leave is granted under Section 170.

Issue 3: Doctrine of Election and Its Application in Choosing Between Remedies under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, and the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923
The doctrine of election, which prevents a claimant from pursuing remedies under both Acts for the same injury, was central to the judgment. Section 167 of the Motor Vehicles Act provides that a claimant must choose between the remedies available under the Motor Vehicles Act and the Workmen's Compensation Act. Once a claimant opts for one forum, they cannot subsequently seek remedies under the other Act. The Supreme Court reaffirmed that the claimant, having chosen to proceed under the Workmen's Compensation Act, cannot later invoke provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act, except as allowed under Section 167. The Court cited precedents to emphasize that a claimant must adhere to the chosen statutory framework and cannot benefit from inconsistent remedies.

Conclusion
The Supreme Court allowed the appeals, setting aside the High Court's judgment and remitting the matters for fresh consideration. The Court reiterated that insurers' defenses under the Motor Vehicles Act do not extend to Workmen's Compensation claims, and claimants must adhere to their chosen statutory remedies. The doctrine of election was upheld, preventing claimants from switching between the two Acts after initiating proceedings under one. The appeals would be entertained only if the appellants meet the requirements under Section 30 of the Workmen's Compensation Act.