The Gujarat Information Commission (GIC) has mandated that documents such as the First Information Report (FIR), panchnama, Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) report, inquest panchnama, postmortem report, and related records be provided free of cost to insurance agents and accident victims.
Background of the Case
The order was issued in a case where an agent of an insurance company had requested the Kamrej police station for these records along with other papers concerning two accident cases. The police station directed the agent to approach the court for the documents.
When the agent contacted the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), he was informed that the procedure required him to obtain the papers from the Kamrej police station itself. Subsequently, the complainant approached the GIC, which ruled that the public information officer of Kamrej police station had not acted in accordance with the provisions of the MACT Act (Amendment) 2022.
Key Provisions of the Amended MACT Act
Under the amended MACT Act, the investigating officer is required to submit the first accident report to the MACT, the authorised agent of the insurance company, and the accident victim or legal heirs in case of death within 48 hours. Additionally, the interim accident report must be submitted within 60 days, and the detailed accident report within 90 days.
The commission also directed state police to ensure that in cases where such reports have already been sent to the MACT but not forwarded to the authorised insurance agent and the victim or legal heirs, they are now sent to them.
Impact of the Order
These directions are intended to ensure compliance with the legal framework so that accident victims or their heirs can obtain insurance claims more quickly in MACT matters, the commission stated in its order. The order is expected to provide major relief to the families of victims and insurance company agents handling claim procedures, besides helping victims secure justice without delays.
Pankti Jog, general secretary of Mahiti Adhikar Gujarat Pahel (MAGP), noted that there are several such cases where help is sought by people on the MAGP helpline and that the commission’s order will now expedite settlement of insurance claims.
