Guwahati: The Supreme Court has directed states must establish a special section in police stations to investigate and assist with motor vehicle accident claim claims within three months.
The top court issued several new instructions, including that the SHO concerned must act in accordance with Section 159 of the Motor Vehicle Amendment Act, which mandates that the police file an Accident Information Report with the Claims Tribunal within three months of learning of a road accident involving a motor vehicle in a public area.
According to the top court, the Investigating Officer must follow the guidelines in the Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules, 2022 after filing the FIR and submit the First Accident Report to the Claims Tribunal within 48 hours.
It was noted that the IO’s duty is important, and it was stated that the IO must inform the victim or their legal representative, the driver, the owner, the insurance companies, and all other parties involved about the action taken in accordance with the Motor Vehicles Amendment Rules.
The state authorities were also instructed by the Supreme Court to take the necessary actions to create a joint web portal or platform to coordinate with and assist the stakeholders in carrying out the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Amendment Act and the Rules in coordination with any technical agency and be made known to the public.
The Allahabad High Court’s decision to dismiss the appeal made in opposition to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal’s (MACT) award was challenged, leading to the top court’s decision.