Consumer body directs LIC to pay Rs 5 lakh to woman

The Punjab Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission has directed Life Insurance Corporation of India to pay Rs 5 lakh with interest to life assured’s widow.

A government spokesman said on Tuesday that one Satnam Singh had taken an insurance policy of Rs 5 lakh from the LIC but he died in Patiala. When his widow tried to claim the insurance,LIC refused to pay her,claiming that the life assured committed suicide and was declared dead on arrival at Amar Hospital. The Commission perused a certificate issued by the hospital where Satnam Singh was brought in an unconscious state. However,in the certificate,the cause of death was not mentioned by doctor who examined Singh.

The Commission directed LIC to pay Rs 5 lakh with interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of repudiation of the claim. LIC was also ordered to pay her Rs 5,000 as compensation and Rs 1,000 as litigation expenses.