National Insurance Company vs. Ashok Kumar

Held

The National Lok Adalat, constituted by Prem Pal Ranta (Presiding Officer), B.M. Chauhan (Member), and Lalit Kumar Sharma (Member), held that the appeal stands dismissed as withdrawn. This decision was based on the explicit statement made by the learned counsel for the Insurance Company (appellant) that the appeal has been withdrawn. The Lok Adalat accepted this statement and proceeded to dismiss the appeal accordingly. No specific findings on the merits of the case were made, as the dismissal was purely on procedural grounds due to the withdrawal by the appellant. The file was ordered to be sent to the Registry of the Hon’ble High Court for further action.

Facts

This matter, FAO No. 187 of 2017, was before the National Lok Adalat on 12.09.2026. The appellant was NIC Ltd., represented by its counsel and management. The respondent was Ashok Kumar & ors, represented by their counsel. The appeal had been referred for determination to the National Lok Adalat. As per the statement given by the learned counsel for the Insurance Company (appellant), the appeal was withdrawn.

Key Issues

1. Whether the appeal, FAO No. 187 of 2017, stands dismissed as withdrawn based on the statement of the appellant's counsel. The appellant's side argued that the appeal has been withdrawn. The respondent's side did not record any specific argument against this, but the matter was presented for determination. The core issue revolves around the procedural outcome of the appeal being withdrawn before the Lok Adalat.