Case Title:- ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. Ayiti Navaneetha & Ors.
Citation:- SLP (C) No – 8412-8413/2023
Date:- 04.11.2025
Hon’ble Supreme Court Bench:- JUSTICE ARAVIND KUMAR and JUSTICE N.V. ANJARIA
The Hon’ble Supreme Court has ordered that no Motor Accident Claim Tribunal or High Court should dismiss any compensation claim as time-barred until further orders.
- This direction was passed while hearing a petition challenging Section 166(3) of the Motor Vehicles Act, which sets a six-month limit from the date of the accident to file a claim. The provision was introduced by the 2019 amendment to the Act and came into effect on April 1, 2022.
- The petitioner, a practising advocate, has argued that this amendment is arbitrary and violates the fundamental rights of accident victims, as it restricts their access to justice. It has been contended that the Motor Vehicles Act is a welfare legislation, meant to protect and compensate victims, and such a strict time limit defeats its purpose.
- Historically, the 1949 and 1988 versions of the law imposed a time limit, but the 1994 amendment removed it, allowing victims to file claims at any time. The 2019 amendment reintroduced the six-month cap, which many claim was done without consulting stakeholders, expert opinions, or parliamentary debate.
- The Hon’ble Supreme Court noted that several petitions have been filed across the country challenging this provision, and therefore directed expedited hearings on the issue.
- The Hon’ble Court has given both parties two weeks to complete their pleadings, warning that failure to do so will forfeit their right to file.
- The matter has been listed for hearing on November 25, 2025, and the interim protection, preventing dismissal of delayed claims, will remain in force till then.
