- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19461 WP No. 31065 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 27TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ WRIT PETITION NO. 31065 OF 2025 (GM-AC) BETWEEN: 1. THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO LTD HEAD OFFICE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE BUILDING, NO.87, M.G. ROAD, FORT, MUMBAI - 400001. REPRESENTED BY THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO., LTD., THIRD PARTY CLAIMS HUB, MAHALAKSHMI CHAMBERS, II FLOOR, NO.9, M.G. ROAD, BANGALORE 560001. REPRESENTED BY MANAGER. …PETITIONER (BY SRI.RAVISHANKAR C R., ADVOCATE) AND: 1. SMT FAREED BANU AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS, W/O LATE NASIR PASHA, HOUSEWIFE. 2. SMT. SHIFANA AYESHA SIDDIQA AGED ABOUT 28 YEARS, D/O LATE NASIR PASHA, Digitally signed by SHWETHA RAGHAVENDRA Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19461 WP No. 31065 of 2025 3. SMT. SANIYA AYESHA SIDDIQHA, AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS, C/O LATE NASIR PASHA, 4. SMT. ASFIYA AYESHA SIDDIQHA, AGED ABOUT 25 YEARS, C/O LATE NASIR PASHA, ALL ARE R/O 3RD CROSS, BUDHA NAGAR, SHIMOGA, GOPAL EXTENSION, SHIVAMOGGA-577201. 5. SRI. SANTHOSHA H.R., AGED ABOUT 33 YEARS, S/O SRI. RAMESH H.S., R/O KENCHAMARIYAMMA ADDA BIDI CROSS, HIRIYUR POST, BHADRAVATHI TALUK, BHADRAVATHI-577 501. (CAR DRIVER) 6. SHAHI EXPORTS PVT., LTD., (OWNER OF MARUTI DZIRE VDI, R/O KIADB INDUSTRIAL AREA, NIDIGI VILLAGE, SHIMOGA, KARNATAKA - 577201. …RESPONDENTS THIS WP IS FILED UNDER ARTICLES 226 AND 227 OF CONSTITUTION OF INDIA PRAYING TO QUASH THE IMPUGNED ORDER DATED 11-06-2025 ON I.A.NO.3 IN MVC NO.416/202 AS PER ANNEXURE-A CONSEQUENTLY DISMISS THE CLAIM PETITION AS BARRED BY LAW UNDER SECTION 166(3) OF THE - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19461 WP No. 31065 of 2025 MOTOR VEHICLES (AMENDED) ACT ON THE FILE OF PRINCIPAL SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE, CJM, SHIVAMOGGA. THIS PETITION, COMING ON FOR FURTHER HEARING, THIS DAY, ORDER WAS MADE THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURAJ GOVINDARAJ ORAL ORDER 1. In the above petition, the short question that arises for consideration is whether a claim petition filed under sub-section (3) of Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 would be maintainable if instituted beyond a period of six months from the date of the accident. 2. It is not in dispute that the said issue is presently under consideration before the Hon’ble Supreme Court in SLP Nos. 8412–8413/2023. By way of an interim order, the Hon’ble Supreme Court has observed that the pendency of the Special Leave Petitions shall not preclude the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal from proceeding with the adjudication of claim petitions; however, it has been expressly stipulated that final judgments shall not be pronounced. - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19461 WP No. 31065 of 2025 3. In view of the aforesaid development, and having regard to similar interim orders passed by this Court in connected matters, it is submitted that this petition may be disposed of with appropriate directions to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to proceed with the matters, subject to the limitation imposed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court. 4. Having considered the submissions and the interim directions issued by the Hon’ble Supreme Court, I deem it appropriate to dispose of this petition with the following directions: 4.1. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal shall be at liberty to proceed with the adjudication of the claim petitions in all respects, including recording of evidence and hearing of arguments; 4.2. However, the Tribunal shall not pronounce or draw up the final award in the said proceedings until further orders are passed by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in SLP Nos. 8412–8413/2023. 5. It is further clarified that the ultimate outcome of the proceedings before the Tribunal shall abide by the - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:19461 WP No. 31065 of 2025 decision to be rendered by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the aforesaid Special Leave Petitions. 5.1. In the event the Hon’ble Supreme Court holds that claim petitions filed beyond the period of six months from the date of the accident are maintainable, the Tribunal shall be at liberty to proceed to pronounce and draw up the final award in accordance with law; 5.2. Conversely, if it is held that such claim petitions are not maintainable, the Tribunal shall pass appropriate orders in conformity with the law so declared. 6. With the above Observations, the Writ Petition stands disposed. Sd/- (SURAJ GOVINDARAJ) JUDGE KTY List No.:19