Chandigarh, July 12 -- The State Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, Chandigarh, has upheld an order directing New India Assurance Company Ltd to compensate the owner of a stolen commercial vehicle, holding that the absence of a valid route permit cannot be used to deny an insurance claim for theft when it has no causal connection with the loss.

Dismissing the insurer's appeal, the commission affirmed the April 1 order of the District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission, which had directed the company to pay the insured declared value (IDV) of Rs.3.5 lakh, along with 9% simple interest from September 18, 2023, the date on which the claim was repudiated and Rs.10,000 towards compensation for mental agony and litigation expenses. Th...