Even if renewed after a gap, vehicle permit valid from day of expiry: HC

Renewal of a vehicle permit is permissible under the Motor Vehicles Act and is sufficient to fix liability on the insurer, the Dharwad bench of the Karnataka high court observed in a recent order while dismissing an appeal filed by New India Assurance Company Limited. The insurer sought absolution from its liability to pay a compensation of Rs 21,15,600 with 6% interest to the family members of PT Ramesh, who was killed in an MV accident on November 19, 2020, as the offending vehicle (a lorry) did not possess a valid and effective permit. The permit had expired on April 18, 2020.