Versus
.1. KLM Cargo,
.2. State Bank of
NEPZ, NOIDA Branch,
NOIDA – 201 305,
.3. National Westminister Bank,
Mill Field
Branch,
.4. F M Mir Jewellers,
12-B,
PE 1 2 LR
Original
Petition No. 47 of 1998
Yellow Metal Inc.
Through its partner
Shri B.K. Jain,
159, Noida Export Processing Zone
Versus
.1. United India
Insurance Co. Ltd.
having its
Head Office at
24,
at 8th Floor,
18,
.2. Natwest Bank,
International
Banking Centre,
NG7 1TN,
having its branch at
Mill Field
Branch,
.3. KLM Cargo
Royal Dutch
Airlines
1st
floor,
Cargo
Terminal,
.4. Service Air
(Handling Agents for
KLM at
Cargo Section
(
Unit 5, Elmdon Trading Estate,
Marston Green,
.5. Vysya Bank Ltd., R.D.
Chambers,
P.P. Jewellers,
2708,
Karol Bagh,
Versus
.1. M/s. Oriental
Insurance Co. Ltd.
(4th
Floor),
17,
.2. KLM Cargo,
Cargo
Terminal,
.3. Vysya Bank Ltd.,
Overseas
Branch,
29-30, LGF
World Trade Centre,
.4. National Westminister Bank,
Mill Field
Branch,
PE 1Z
.5. F M Mir Jewellers,
12-B,
PE 12 LR
BEFORE :
HON’BLE
MR. JUSTICE M.B.SHAH, PRESIDENT.
MRS.
RAJYALAKSHMI RAO, MEMBER.
For the Complainant in : Mr. Vikramjit Reen,
Original Petition No.217/97 Advocate
Original Petition No.47/1998: Mr. Vineet Malhotra,
Advocate
Original Petition No.296/1998: Mr. J.R. Midha,
Advocate with
Mr.
Neeraj Singh andMr. Vaibhav Mehta,
Advocates.
For the Opposite Party No.2: N
E M O
(State Bank of
In O.P.No.217/97
For the K.L.M
Cargo : Ms. Yogita and Mr. Rakesh Agarwal
(O.P.No1 in O.P.No.217/97, Advocates.
O.P.No.3 in O.P.No.47/98
& O.P.No.2 in O.P.No.296/98
Opposite Parties)
For the Nat West Bank : Ms. K.S. Devi
and
(O.P.No.1 in O.P.No.217/97, Mr. Dinesh Sabharwal, Advocates.
O.P.No.2 in O.P.No.47/98 &
O.P.No.4 in O.P.No.296/98)
For FM Mir Jewellers : N E M O
(Opposite Party No. 4 in
O.P.No.217/97 & O.P.No.5
In O.P.No.296/98
For the Service Air(Handling’
Agents for KLM at
Airport) O.P.No.4 in O.P.
No.47/98
For the Vysya
Bank Ltd. :
Mr. Vijay Kumar, Advocate
(O.P.No.5 in O.P.No.47/98 and
O.P.No.3 in O.P.No.296/98)
For the United
Co. Ltd.(O.P.No.1 in O.P. Advocate.
No.47/98
For the Oriental Insurance :
Mr. Vishnu Mehra and
Co. Ltd. (O.P.No.1 in O.P.
Ms. Sakshi Mittal,
Advocates.
No.296/98)
O R D E R
M.B.SHAH, J. PRESIDENT.
.I. These
three complaints are of similar nature, cause of action is the same,
there is no material difference in facts as well as in evidence except the weight and value of the
gold jewellery that was exported, the dates of
invoices and their dispatch; In short, the Complainants have sold gold jewellery to M/s.F.M.Mir Jewellers, a partnership firm of the United Kingdom, as one
of the partners of the firm came to India and agreed to purchase the same.
Consignor was the Complainant, consignee
was M/s.National Westminister
Bank (hereinafter referred to the Bank), and
notified party was M/s. FM Mir Jewellers. The said gold articles were dispatched
through the Carrier, M/s.KLM Royal Dutch Airlines
(hereinafter called the KLM). Thereafter, the goods were delivered, without
verification of the required documents, within minutes of customs
clearance, by the agent or employees of
the KLM, on the basis of so called fax
message. That was a fraud committed by
some persons against whom prosecution was launched in the Crown Court of
Northampton, the
II. Further, it is established on record that for the
alleged fraud committed in taking the delivery of the goods without producing
original bank release notes, prosecution was launched before the
In the criminal case, the Crown Court
discussed two Counts, i.e. Count No. 1 Whether there was any conspiracy to use
forged bank release notes and whether the four defendants/accused were party to it; and, Count No.2 is, whether
there was a conspiracy to defraud the suppliers of jewellery
and whether each of the defendant was a party to it?
On these two counts the Jury awarded
the following sentencers to the four accused:
1. Sunil Dutt : 2 years imprisonment on Count1.
4 years imprisonment on Count 2.
2. Abdul Rauf : 4 years imprisonment on Count 2
ordered to pay
compensation of Pounds 50,000 out of which Pounds 12,272.34 was awarded to PP Jewellers (OP 296/98); Pounds 8, 854.79was Awarded to Bholasons Exports (OP No. 118/98); Pounds 14, 967.10 was
awarded to Yellow Metal Inc. (OP. 47/98).
3.
Ashok Kumar : 18 months imprisonment on Count 1 Pounds
1,500 Costs.
4.
Harjeet Dhariwal : 7 months imprisonment.
It
is contended by the learned counsel for
the Complainant that no amount is received
by the Complainants on the basis of the direction issued in the criminal case.
III. We would take the
facts in Original Petition No.217 of 1997 for the purpose of deciding the
contentions in these matters.
It
is the case of the Complainant Company that it exported –
·
4.282 Kgs (net weight) of plain & meenakari jewellery of fineness
.930 (kdm soldered) as per invoice
No.PSOL/NEPZ/41/96-97 dated 18.10.96,
·
of value US $ 55,845 (CIF Value),
·
from Delhii to
·
shipped vide Airway Bill No. 074-7423-3261 dated 16.10.1996,
·
through carrier Opposite Party No.1 [KLM Cargo],
·
with the consignee being Opposite Party No.3 [M/s.National
Westminster Bank],
·
and the ‘notified party’ being FM MIR Jewellers.
Copy of the relevant
invoice is dated 18.10.1996.
On 19.10.1996, the consignment reached
the
On the basis of the aforesaid facts, it was contended that the KLM is liable to reimburse the Complainant. The Complainant prays that:
a)
the complainant had exported the jewellery and
is, therefore, entitled to be compensated the principal amount in US $ i.e.,
the invoice amount of US Dollars 55,845
plus interest thereon in US Dollars;
and,
b) the complainant is entitled
to compensation as well as interest in US Dollars as the export remittance has
to be earned in foreign exchange as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI)rules
failing which the RBI Enforcement Directorate and the Economic Intelligence
Bureau may initiate action.
In
case of loss of goods or delivery to a
wrong person or delay in the delivery, presumption would be of negligence on
the part of the carrier, as per the settled law. For this, we would refer to
the following observations made by the Apex Court in Patel Roadways Ltd. Vs. Birla Yamaha Ltd. (2000) 4 SCC 91, at page 101:
“31. Coming to the question of liability of a
common carrier for loss of or damage to goods, the position of law has to be
taken as fairly well settled that the liability of a carrier in India, as in
England , is more extensive and the liability is that of an insurer. The absolute liability of the carrier is
subject to two exceptions: an act of God and a special contract which the
carrier may choose to enter with the customer.
32. In Sarkar on
Evidence (15th Edn., 1999), at p. 1724
under the heading “Negligence” it is stated:
“As a rule
negligence is not to be presumed; it is rather to be presumed that ordinary
care has been used. The rule does not
apply in the cae of common carriers, who on ground of
public policy, are presumed to have been negligent if goods entrusted to their
care have been lost or damaged or delayed in delivery (Ross v. Hill 2 CB 890;
Jones s15). The law will conclusively
presume that the carrier has been guilty of a negligence unless he can show
that the loss or damage was occasioned by what is technically called the ‘Act
of God’, or by King ‘s enemies “.
(b). Admission of
liability :
. Further, by letter dated
“We acknowledge
receipt your letter No. 242 dated
We would like
to inform you that this shipment was delivered
against a clean receipt but so far we could not trace the copy of the
bank release. This would lead to the
conclusion that we failed in this respect. Therefore, we herewith decide to
offer the amount as declared value for carriage on the airway bill i.e. Rs. 1,00,000.00 in full and final settlement.
Please return
the enclosed final release in triplicate signed and completed to our
department, after which payment will be effected as soon as possible”.
(c). Contentions on
the basis of facts:
At the time of hearing, the learned Counsel for the Complainants submitted that the Carrier (KLM Cargo) cannot plead any limitation of its liability because of its reckless act of delivery of known valuable jewellery, inter alia, on the following grounds:
a)
for acting upon a fax release note/photocopy of release note without
verification of the source of fax message;
b)
for non-verification by Opposite Party No.1 of source of fax message/photocopy;
c)
the release and delivery of valuable consignment to an unknown and
unauthorized person without verification of identity of the collecting party
either by insisting on identification or by insisting upon original bank
release, invoice or any original shipping documents which would have
established the bonafides of the person collecting
the consignment;
d)
for not informing the consignee (Bank) about the arrival of the
consignment for releasing the consignment without cross-checking with Bank
about the arrival of the original shipping documents;
e)
the non-delivery of cargo to named consignee or named ‘notified party’
upon authorization of named consignee;
f)
acting in reckless manner knowing fully well that cargo was valuable and
consisted of gold jewellery as described on the air
waybill. It is submitted that gold and gold jewellery
are a form of ‘currency’ being highly valuable yet compact and with easy
disposability and liquidity. Therefore,
the physical safety of gold & gold jewellery is
the highest obligation of the carrier and bank, and both Opposite Party No.1,
the KLM, and Opposite Party No.3, the Bank, were in the know of this obligation
and have breached this obligation by failing to ensure proper release of goods
and collection of price; and,
g)
for cargo the carrier had charged freight at 200% of normal rates and
also valuation charges to ensure better safety of such valuable cargo. Hence,
it was their duty to take proper precautions to ensure proper safety and
delivery of the consignment to proper person.
Findings:
From
the facts stated above, it is apparent that the release of goods/consignment by
the Carrier or its agent was totally unjustified. It was done without there being any original
document, including the bank release note and without the knowledge/consent of
the consignee, namely, Natwest Bank (i.e. M/s.
National Westminister Bank) and that too on the basis
of the alleged fax letter without verification from the Bank and that too
within a few minutes of the receipt of the goods after customs clearance. From the act of delivery of known valuable
consignment and the omission in discharge of the duty on the part of the
carrier it can be inferred that the carrier acted negligently in discharge of
their functions. Carrier has also
admitted their liability, as stated above, vide their letter dated
The question, therefore, would be:
whether the carrier would be liable to pay the loss/damages suffered by the
Complainant as per Rule 25 or whether its liability is limited as provided in
Rule 22 (2) of Schedule –II of the Carriage By Air Act, 1975. In the present case, as we are required to
deal with the question under the Carriage by Air Act, 1972, we reproduce the relevant part of the Rules,
which is as under:
“22(2)(a): In
the carriage of registered baggage and of cargo, the liability of the carrier
is limited to a sum of 250 francs per kilogramme,
unless the passenger or consignor has made, at the time when the package was
handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at
destination and has paid a supplementary sum if the case so requires. In that case, the carrier will be liable to
pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum, unless he proves that the sum is
greater than the passenger’s or consignor’s actual interest in delivery at
destination”.
“25.
The limits of liability specified in
Rule 22 shall not apply if it is proved that the damage resulted from an act or
omission of the carrier, his servants or agents, done with intent to cause damage
or recklessly and with knowledge that damage would probably result; provided
that, in the case of such act or omission of a servant or agent, it is also
proved that he was acting within the scope of his employment.”
Rule 22(2)(a)
Now, the question that requires consideration, in terms of Rule 22(2)(a) is: Whether the consignor has made, at the time when the package was handed over to the carrier, a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination, and had paid a supplementary sum if the case so required?
With regard to special declaration of interest in
delivery it has been pointed out that the Complainants have paid 200 per cent
of the normal freight charges by specifically declaring that it was gold jewellery and its value was as per the invoices. For the customs clearance also the value was
mentioned at Rs.19,66,218/-. In the column ‘handling information’ it is
specifically mentioned that it was ‘valued cargo, ensure security’.
As per the invoice, the CIF value is
mentioned as US Dollars 55,845: FOB Value (in INR) is mentioned as Rs. 19,78,008/-. Freight and forw.
Charges, i.e. Rs.10,701/-, and,
Insurance at Rs.19,91,991/-.
It is, therefore, pointed out that the
gold jewellery in package was handed over to the
carrier with a special declaration of interest in delivery at destination and
has paid 200 per cent of the normal freight charges. In such cases, as per
rule, carrier will be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared sum,
unless the carrier proves that the sum was greater than the consignor’s actual
interest in delivery at destination. In
this case, there cannot be any dispute with regard to consignor’s actual
interest in the value of the goods.
Hence, the carrier would be liable to pay a sum not exceeding the declared
sum.
However,
it was contended that as per the bill, the declared value for carriage is
mentioned as Rs.99,000/-, and, therefore, there is non-compliance of the
aforesaid Rule 22. In our view, the phrase used in the Rule is “special
declaration of interest in delivery at destination” has not been explained in
the Air Waybill. Declaration is already
made with regard to the exact sum by mentioning that its declared value for
customs Rs.19,66,218/-, and, further, invoice is also delivered to the carrier
wherein the contents of the package and its value is mentioned, as stated
above. Learned Counsel for the parties
were not in a position to point out what type or other special declaration of
interest was required.
In this view of the matter, in our
view, the carrier (KLM) cannot contend that its liability is limited, as
provided under Schedule II of Rule 22 of the Carriage By Air Act, 1972.
Rule –25:
In the alternative, presuming that even
if there is no special declaration of interest as contemplated under Rule
22(2)(a), then, we have to find out whether there is compliance of all the
ingredients of Rule 25. For the said
purpose, Rule 25 can be devided as under:
(a) Whether it is proved that
the damage resulted from an ‘act' or omission of the carrier?
(i). For
this, there is no doubt that the damage has resulted from the ‘act’ of the
carrier in delivering the goods without there being the original bank release
note.
(ii). Further, it was omission
on the part of the carrier in not verifying from the consignee (Bank) that
someone was claiming the release of goods without bank release note.
(b). whether it was done
recklessly or with the intent to cause damage?
(i)
It can be said without any reservation that it was a reckless act.
(ii)
With regard to intent to cause damage, it can be easily inferred that
delivery of the valuable goods, namely, jewellery,
without bank release note or original documents would cause damage to the
consignee and/or to the consignor.
(c). Whether
knowledge can be inferred that damage would probably result?
As stated
above, with regard to valuable gold jewellery of
which value is more than about Rs.20 lakhs knowledge
can be inferred that wrong delivery would cause damage. The person who was taking the delivery was
not identified and was not known to the carrier.
The Learned Counsel appearing on behalf
of the KLM (the Carrier), referred to various decisions giving meaning to the
words ‘recklessness’, ‘wilful’, etc.
In our view, in the present case, the
facts speak for themselves and the maxim res ipsa loquitur would be applicable. However, we would refer to some of the judgments relied upon by
the Learned Counsel for the KLM.
At the outset, we make it clear that Schedule II of Rule 25
of the Act uses the words ‘act’ or ‘omission’ which is ‘reckless’ and not the
expression ‘wilful default’. Therefore, interpretation given to the
expression ‘wilful default’ would not have much
bearing on the facts of the case. Therefore,
we would consider how the word reckless
is interpreted.
The
word ‘reckless’ is considered by this Commission in Manager, Air India Ltd.
& Anr. Vs.
“With regard to the word "recklessly" the Black's Dictionary
says, "A person acts recklessly with respect to a material element of an
offence when he consciously disregards a substantial and unjustifiable risk
that the material element exists or will result from his conduct. This risk
must be of such a nature and degree that, considering the nature and purpose of
the actor's conduct and the circumstances known to him, its disregard involves
a gross deviation from the standard of conduct that a law-abiding person would
observe in the actor's situation". In Shawinigan
Ltd. v. Vokins & Co. Ltd., (1961) 3 All ER 396,
this is how Megaw, J. described recklessly :
"In my view, "recklessly" means grossly careless.
Recklessness is gross carelessness - the doing of something which in fact
involves a risk, whether the doer realises it or not;
and the risk being such having regard to all the circumstances, that the taking
of that risk would be described as "reckless". The likelihood or
otherwise that damage will follow is one element to be considered, not whether
the doer of the act actually realised the likelihood.
The extent of the damage which is likely to follow is another element, not the
extent which the doer of the act, in his wisdom or folly, happens to foresee.
If the risk is slight and the damage which will follow if things go wrong is
small, it may not be reckless, however unjustified the doing of the act may be.
If the risk is great, and the probable damage great, recklessness may readily
be a fair description, however much the doer may regard the action as justified
and reasonable. Each case has to be viewed on its own particular facts and not
by reference to any formula. The only test, in my view, is an objective one.
Would a reasonable man, knowing all the facts and circumstances which the doer
of the act knew or ought to have known, describe the act as
"reckless" in the ordinary meaning of that word in ordinary speech ?
As I have said, my understanding of the ordinary meaning of that word is a high
degree of carelessness, I do not say 'negligence', because "negligence"
connotes a legal duty."
From the law as stated above, it can be
held that recklessness ordinarily would mean ‘high degree of
carelessness’. The other objective test
can be, would a reasonable man, knowing all the facts and circumstances, consider
the said act as ‘reckless’?
From the facts as stated above, it can be held
that the act of delivery of the gold jewellery
without the bank release note was an act of gross carelessness and may indicate
that it was intentional misconduct.
Because, a prudent employee of the KLM knowing the fact that the small
packet, containing gold jewellery, valued
more than Rs.20 lakhs, as described in the invoice,
in ordinary course of business, would not deliver such goods in the manner in
which it is done, and, that too, in breach of all requirements. The extent of damage which was likely to
follow was also known to the doer. In
such cases, it can be said that carrier/employees are guilty of willful default
as it has disregarded the normal procedure of taking care in handling such a
consignment.
The Learned Counsel for the KLM relied
upon what is meant by the expression ‘wilful
default’. He submitted that the agent of
the KLM has released the goods on the
basis of alleged fax message, and
therefore, it cannot be said to be a willful act so as to be covered by Rule
25. He referred to the decision in S. Sundaram Pillai Vs. V. R. Pattabiraman, AIR 1985 SC 582 = (1985) 1 SCC 591. In that case the Court was concerned with the
interpretation of the expression ‘wilful default’
used under Tamil Nadu Buildings (Lease and Rent
Control) Act, 1960. In our view, as
such, the said judgment would have no bearing on the facts of the present
case. But, still, we would refer to the
ratio laid down therein which would establish that it was a willful default on
the part of the carrier. The relevant
part is as under:
“25. Thus, a consensus of the
meaning of the words “wilful default” appears to
indicate that default in order to be wilful must be
intentional, deliberate, calculated and conscious, with full knowledge of legal
consequences flowing therefrom. Taking for instance a
case where a tenant commits default after default despite oral demands or
reminders and fails to pay the rent without any just or lawful cause, it cannot
be said that he is not guilty of wilful default
because such a course of conduct manifestly amounts to wilful
default as contemplated either by the Act or by other Acts referred to above.”
Applying the aforesaid ratio it would
be apparent that the ‘agents’ or ‘employees’ of the KLM committed ‘wilful default’ in not verifying the veracity of the fax
message or identity of the person from the bank which was the consignee and
released the goods without ‘Bank Release
Note’.
Further, in the aforesaid case the
Court has referred to the dictionary meaning of ‘wilful
default’ which is as under:
“22.
In other words, “wilful default” would mean a
deliberate and intentional default knowing fully well the legal consequences
thereof. In Words and Phrases, Vol. 11-A (Permanent Edn.)
at p. 268 the word “default” has been defined as the non-performance of a duty,
a failure to perform a legal duty or an omission to do something required. In
Vol. 45 of Words and Phrases, the word “wilful”
has been very clearly defined thus:
“ ‘Wilful’ — intentional;
not incidental or involuntary;
—done intentionally, knowingly, and purposely,
without justifiable excuse as distinguished from an act done carelessly;
thoughtlessly, heedlessly or inadvertently;
— in common parlance word ‘wilful’
is used in sense of intentional, as distinguished from accidental or
involuntary.
p. 296—‘Wilful’ refers to
act consciously and deliberately done and signifies course of conduct marked by
exercise of volition rather than which is accidental, negligent or involuntary.
”
22A. In Vol. III of Webster’s Third New International
Dictionary at p. 2617, the word “wilful” has been
defined thus:
“governed by will without yielding to reason or
without regard to reason: obstinately or perversely self-willed.”
23. The word “default” has been defined in Vol. I of Webster’s
Third New International Dictionary at p. 590 thus:
“to fail to fulfil a
contract or agreement, to accept a responsibility; to fail to meet a financial
obligation.”
24. In Black’s Law Dictionary (4th Edn.), at p. 1773 the word ‘wilful’
has been defined thus:
“ ‘Wilfulness’ implies an
act done intentionally and designedly; a conscious failure to observe care;
conscious; knowing; done with stubborn purpose, but not with malice.
The word ‘reckless’ as applied to negligence, is the
legal equivalent of “wilful” or ‘wanton’.”
Applying the aforesaid dictionary
meaning, it would be a ‘wilful’ act because, the
‘act’ or ‘omission’ of the employees of the KLM were without regard to reason or were perverse, and self-willed. It can also be said to be willful failure to
fulfill a contract or agreement or conscious failure to observe care.
The
learned Counsel Mr.Aggarwal referred to the decision
in Rakapalli Raja Rama Gopala Rao vs. Naragani Govinda Sehara Rao (1989) 4 SCC 255,
wherein the Court has observed that “an act is said to be willful if it is
intentional, conscious an deliberate”.
In that case also, the Court has
followed earlier decision in S. Sundaram Pillai (supra) and no
different ratio is laid down.
Hence, it is of no use to refer to the other decisions in
view of the established facts of the
present case and the law as discussed above.
Learned
counsel for the KLM further referred to the decision rendered by the Delhi
State Consumer Disputes Redressal
Commission in Ms. Gargi Parsai
vs. KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, I(1996) CPJ 2.
In our view, the aforesaid judgment is not required to be discussed,
because the wordings in Rule 25 of Second Schedule and Rule 25 of the First
Schedule are altogether different. Rule 25(1) of Schedule-I, inter alia, provides that
if the damage is caused by ‘willful
misconduct’ or by such default on his
part as is in the opinion of the Court equivalent to willful misconduct. As against this, Rule 25(1) of Schedule-II,
as quoted above, does not talk of willful misconduct, but covers reckless act
or omission. Therefore, the rest of the
judgments which are on the same point are not required to be dealt with.
Finally, we hold that when employees of a carrier are dealing with goods worth Crores of rupees, they are expected to be cautious in delivering the goods to a layman and ought not to have delivered without ascertaining his identity, without verification of proper documents and without the knowledge of the consignee or the consignor. In such a case, a man of prudence would certainly arrive at the conclusion that the act or omission on the part of the employees was reckless and knowledge can easily be inferred that it would cause damage to the consignor/consignee.
In view of the above discussion, we hold the K.L.M. responsible for the ‘deficiency in service’.
Liability of Opposite Party No.3-
Bank:
The next question would be with regard to the liability of the National Westminister Bank.
It is the contention of the Complainant that without the connivance of the employees of the National Westminister Bank it would be difficult for the persons who have taken away the goods, to get the zerox copy of the alleged Bank release note and get the consignment released.
In
our view, there is nothing on record to establish that officers of the Bank
have taken any part in the alleged
fraud. For the fraud, some persons were
prosecuted before the Crown Court at
Further, it is the contention of the Bank, in Original Petition No.217/1997, that they received original documents on 23rd October, 1996, while the goods were released on 22nd October, 1996 and hence they are not responsible.
Hence, even though there is nothing against the officers of the Bank, or the Bank that the officers of the Bank were party to the alleged fraud, it is surprising to note that a Bank like the National Westminister Bank a known and established bank with all their system, computerization and documentation are modernized especially being in a country like the U.K., submit that the original documents pertaining to air waybill, invoice, etc., received by it from its counterpart in India are lost from the custody of the Bank, that too, not in one or two cases, but in all the four consignments, within a span of two weeks. There is no whisper as to how, suddenly, such documents were misplaced so that they could not be found out by the bank officers. The bank has also not explained as to what are their internal instructions for maintaining such important documents and who are responsible for not maintaining them properly. Hence, an inference can be drawn that a reasonable care which is expected from a bank of high standard is not taken to protect the valuable documents which would be the basis of recovering a large amount for sale of jewellery.
In our view, such a statement before the Court, is an admission of its deficiency in service. This deficiency on the part of the Bank cannot be condoned. Because, for want of original documents, the Insurance Company repudiated the claim and the Complainants are without reimbursement for years for the loss suffered by them. In such circumstances, deficiency on the part of the Bank is established by its own admission that the documents are lost, which, according to us, is an unusual thing. No doubt, the loss of original documents has not played any part in release of the goods, because, the goods were released prior to the receipt of the original documents.
In these set of circumstances, for the deficiency in service by the Bank in not protecting the valuable documents, we think that it would be just and reasonable to direct the bank to pay compensation/punitive damages as provided under Section 14 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986. Hence, the Bank is directed to deposit the sum in Rupees equivalent to 5,000 Pounds, with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The said amount shall be deposited by the Registrar of the National Commission in the ‘Consumer Legal Aid Account’ to be administered by this Commission.
Reimbursement
in Pounds/Dollars/Rupees:
Learned Counsel for the Complainants submitted that the Complainants are entitled to receive the amount in Pound or Dollars as per the invoices. In our view, this submission cannot be accepted because in 1996 when the goods were sold the Complainants were not entitled to keep currency in Pounds/Dollars in their possession. They are required to convert the same into Rupees at the earliest. Hence, we find no substance in the contention and hold that for reimbursement value in Rupees is required to be taken as on the date of dispatch of the consignments in all the three cases.
A chart showing ‘Conversion in Rupees’
is submitted by the Complainant in each
of the three cases. In complaint No. 217
of 1997, it has been stated as under:
“Air Waybill No. 074
7423 3261
Invoice Dated : 18.10.1996
Value of Goods US
$ 55,453
Insurance US
$ 92
Freight US
$ 300
Total US
$ 55, 845
Rate of conversion mentioned on the invoice Rs.35.67 per US Dollar.
Calculated at the
above rate US $ 55,845 = Rs.19,91,991.15”
[Note: Calculations are supplied by the learned Counsel for the parties]
Compensation:
With
regard to the compensation claimed by the Complainants, we think that in such
cases proper measure or yardstick for granting compensation would be award of
appropriate rate of interest on the amount which the Complainant would have
received, had the consignment been delivered to the consignee (Bank). That
means, the Complainant would have received the amount on the basis of the
invoices and in terms of US Dollars and was required to get them converted in
terms of the rupees on receipt of the amount, if receipt was in Dollars or
Pounds.
Therefore,
award of reasonable rate of interest would cover the compensation payable to
the Complainant, as it was a commercial transaction and the prices of gold has
escalated. Hence, we direct that the amount shall be paid with interest at the
rate of 12% p.a.
Conclusion:
In the result, it is directed that:
(a). the Opposite Party No.1, KLM Cargo shall pay a sum of
Rs.19,92,000/- (rounded figure) with interest at the rate of 12% p.a. from 1st
November, 1996 till its payment, within a period of four weeks from the date of
this order;
(b). the Opposite Party No.3, National Westminister
Bank shall also deposit a sum equivalent to Pounds 5,000 with the Registrar of
this Commission, within a period of four weeks from the date of this
order; and
(c) KLM shall also pay costs of litigation quantified at
Rs.1,00,000/-. The said amount shall be
deposited with the Registrar of this Commission within a period the four weeks
from the date of this Order.
The amount which may be deposited by the National Westminister Bank and the cost of litigation which shall be deposited by the KLM, with the Registrar of this Commission, shall be deposited by the Registrar in the ‘Consumer Legal Aid Account’ which is
to be administered by this Commission.
The
Original Petition is allowed accordingly.
Original Petition No. 296 of 1998
In
this complaint, the say of the Complainant is that two consignments of Gold Jewellery which were exported by the complainant from
Both
the above consignments were insured with M/s.Oriental
Insurance Company Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Insurance Company) vide
two marine insurance certificates. The
insurance policy covered “all risks”.
On
10th October, 1996, the complainant sent the original documents of
title, namely, two invoices two packing lists, two Airway bills, two shipping
bills, two purchase certificates and Insurance Certificates to its bankers, M/s.Vysya Bank, for being forwarded to the collecting bank,
Nat West Bank for delivery/release to the notified party after collecting the
payment. The Bank confirmed the receipt
of the above documents, vide receipt dated
The
KLM delivered the shipments in question on 16.10.1996 without obtaining the
‘documents of title and bank release’ from the Bank. The Bank confirmed vide letter dated
On
“This is to certify that in
the Crown Court at Northampton on 31st March 1999 Abdul Rauf was convicted upon indictment of:-
1.
Conspiracy to defraud
And on
4 years imprisonment
To pay compensation of
---7710.86 to Arun Chopra ANK jewellers,
To pay compensation of
---1796.14 to Satpreet Singh Khandpur
Lilium International, 2a West End Road, Southall, Middx
To pay compensation of
---4398.77 to Dhiraj Kotecha
Rajesh Imports, 33 West Town Drive, Stanmore,
To pay compensation of
---12272.34 to Amit Gupta PP Jewellers,
A13 CC Colony, Pratrap Bagh,
Delhi, India
To pay compensation of
---8854.79 to Rajendra Bhola
Bholasons Exports, 21/51 Punjabi Bagh,
West, New Delhi 110027, India
To pay compensation of
---14967.10 to Ashok Kumar Chandani
Yellow Metal Inc, 159 Noida-201, 305 District Ghazibad,
Uttar Pradesh, India
Total Sentence:
To pay total compensation
of ---50,000.00. To be paid within on e month.
Decision of the Court of Appeal:
SENTENCE QUASHED. TOTAL SENTENCE NOW 3 YEARS, 6 MONTHS
IMPRISONMENT AND ---50,000.00 COMPENSATION
Date
It is to be stated that no amount of compensation is
received by the Complainant.
The
complainant lodged a claim for wrongful delivery with the KLM on
Vide
letter dated
The
Complainant also intimated about the loss to Oriental Insurance Company on
Opposite
Party No.1, M/s. Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. in reply to the complaint, has
substantially admitted the facts stated in the complaint. The Insurance Company has admitted Paras 3, 7, 8, 9 and 12 of the complaint to be matter of
record. Para 12 thereof contains the
complete facts and documents including the correspondence with the Insurance
Company, documents submitted to Insurance Company and correspondence with the Vysya Bank, the Nat West Bank and the KLM. It is on record that the original documents
of title were in possession of Nat West Bank who confirmed the same vide
letters Ex.P19, P29, P30 and P44. The Cambridgeshire
Constabulary police called upon Nat West Bank to hand over the original
documents to them pursuant to which Nat West Bank enquired about the same from Vysya Bank who forwarded the same to the complainant who in
turn wrote to the Insurance Company vide letter Ex.P45 and Ex.P46. The Insurance Company vide its reply Ex.P47
instructed the complainant to convey their approval to the complainant who
instructed Vysya Bank to convey Nat West Bank to hand
over the original documents of title to the police for investigation purpose
only. In the meantime, the original
documents of title were misplaced from the office of Nat West Bank during the
period
The
sole ground raised by the Insurance Company in their repudiation letter is that
the original documents of title have not been submitted, which, as stated,
above is not correct. The complainant
has submitted, time and again, the copies of the title documents and complete
correspondence with the Vysya Bank, the Nat West Bank
and the KLM. The original documents of
title were with the Nat West Bank who confirmed the same vide letters Exh.P19,
P29, P30 and P44. Nat West Bank vide
letter Ex.P67 informed that the original documents have been misplaced from
their office during the period
Further,
as the KLM has accepted the liability, the Insurance Company cannot avoid the
liability. However, the Insurance
Company delayed and repudiated the claim on unfeasible grounds, which clearly
amounts to deficiency in service. The Insurance Company has also failed to give
any justifiable ground as to why it took more than two years in investigating
the claim made by the Complainant. This delay itself constitutes deficiency in
service by the Insurance Company.
Finally, it is submitted by the Complainant that:
(a). the complaint may be allowed.
(b). the Insurance Company and
the KLM Cargo be held jointly and
severally liable to pay US $ 62,934 and US $ 62,957 totaling US $ 1,25,891 to
the complainant along with 18% interest in foreign exchange from 16th
October, 1996 till the date of payment.
(c). the Opposite Parties be also
held jointly and severally liable to pay
an amount of US $ 50,000/ - per year and proportionately part there of (US $25,000 per consignment) from 16th
October, 1996 till the date of payment
of US $ 62,934 and US $ 62,957 totaling US $ 1,25,891 and to the Complainant to
compensate for business losses incurred due to non-availability of the funds
involved in the case for a long time from 16th October, 1996.
(d). The Complainant is also
entitled for compensation for harassment and mental agony.
(e). The Complainant incurred an
expenses of Rs. 2,70,764/ - for visit of its partner,
Shri Kamal Gupta to England
from 2nd April, 1997 to 8th April, 1997 and the visit of
Mr. Amit Gupta, Export Executive of the Complainant
from 30th March, 1997 to 8th April, 1997 relating to the claim in
question, which the Opp.parties are liable to pay to
the Complainant.
Findings:
For
the reasons recorded in Original Petition No. 217 of 1997, we hold that the act
and omission on the part of the employees of the KLM was reckless as the
precious gold jewellery was delivered to a layman
without verifying the source of the fax message, without ascertaining his
identity, without verifying proper documents and without knowledge of the
consignee or consignor. And, it is to be held that it was done with the
knowledge that such release of the goods would cause damage to the
consignor/consignee.
Re: Liability of the KLM – Admission:
In
this case also the KLM has admitted its liability by letter dated
“We acknowledge receipt
your letter No.242 dated
We would like
to inform you that this shipment was delivered against a clean receipt but so
far we could not trace the copy of the bank release. This would lead to the conclusion that we failed
in this respect. Therefore, we herewith
decide to offer the amount as declared value for carriage on the airway bill
i.e. Rs.1,00,000.00 in full and final settlement.
Please return
the enclosed final release in triplicate signed and completed to our department,
after which payment will be effected as soon as possible.”
The aforesaid admission is
restricted to limited liability. The question which would require consideration
is whether the liability is limited or
would be to the extent of loss suffered
by the Complainants.
Special Declaration as required under Rule 22(2)(a):
For application of Rule 22(2)(a) it has been pointed out
that there was a special declaration of interest in delivery and that the
Complainants have paid 200 per cent of the normal freight charges by
specifically declaring that it was gold jewellery and
its value was as per the invoices. For the customs clearance also the value was
mentioned at Rs.20,20,478 + Rs.20,21,222 = 40,41,700/-.
I. Air Waybill No. : 074 7638 6144
Invoice Dated : 09.10.1996
Value of Goods : US $ 56,963
Insurance : US $ 81
Freight : US $ 169
___________
Total : US
$ 57,213
==========
Rate of conversion mentioned on the Invoice
Rs.35.79 per US Dollar.
Calculated at the above rate US $ 57,213 = Rs.20,47,653.27
II. Air Waybill No. : 074 7638 6155
Invoice Dated : 09.10.1996
Value of Goods : US $ 56,984
Insurance : US $ 81
Freight : US $ 669
___________
Total : US
$ 57,234
==========
Rate of
conversion mentioned on the Invoice Rs.35.80 per US Dollar.
Calculated at the above rate US $ 57,234 = Rs.20,48,977.20
Total of I and II : 20,43,653.27 +
Rs.20,48,977.20 =
[Note: Calculations supplied by the learned counsel for the parties].
Bank’s Liability:
With regard to the liability of National Westminister Bank, for the reasons recorded in Original Petition No. 217 of 1997, it cannot be held that the officers of the bank have committed any fraud. For unjustifiable loss of the original documents by a bank, which amounts to deficiency in service they are held liable to pay damages, as stated above, i.e. to say, the bank shall deposit a sum in Rupees equivalent to 5,000 Pounds, with the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The said amount shall be deposited by the Registrar of the National Commission in the Consumer Legal Aid Account to be administered by this Commission.
Liability of the Insurance Company:
The next question
would be with regard to the liability of
the Insurance Company.
Mr.
Vishnu Mehra, learned Counsel submitted that as the
original documents were not handed over to the Insurance Company, it has
rightly repudiated the claim. He submitted that it is quite possible that
original documents (consignment Note) might have been assigned to someone else.
In our view, this submission is imaginary, baseless, without any substance and is only made to avoid the liability of the Insurance Company.
In the present case, there is no dispute with
regard to the existence of the policy; there is no dispute that in case of loss
or damage the Insurance Company is liable to reimburse; there is no dispute
with regard to the fact that the jewellery was not
delivered to the consignee; and, there is also no dispute that the Complainant
has not received any amount from the notified party. It is also established on
record that prosecution was launched against the culprits and they were
convicted by the
Further, in the context of such contention it is
worthwhile to refer to principles behind maxim ‘res ipsa loquitur’ in the case of ‘Shyam
Sunder & Ors. Vs. The State of
“The maxim is based as commonsense and its purpose is to do justice when
the facts bearing on causation and on the care exercised by defendant are at
the outset unknown to the plaintiff and are or ought to be within the knowledge
of the defendant (see Barkway v. S. Wales Transo[1])”.
It also observed:
“13. It should be noticed that the defendant does not
advance his case by inventing fanciful theories,
unsupported by evidence, of how the event might have occurred. The whole inquiry is concerned with probabilities,
and facts are required, not mere
conjecture unsupported by facts. As Lord
Macmillan said in his dissenting judgment in Jones v. Great Western[2]:
“The
dividing line between conjecture and inference is often a very difficult one to
draw. A conjecture may be plausible, but it is of no legal value, for its
essence is that it is a mere guess. An inference, in the legal sense, on the
other hand, is a deduction from the evidence, and if it is a reasonable
deduction it may have the validity of legal proof. The attribution, of an
occurrence to a cause is, I take it, always a matter of inference. The cogency
of a legal inference of causation may vary in degree between practical
certainty and reasonable probability. Where the coincidence of cause and effect
is not a matter of actual observation there is necessarily a hiatus in the
direct evidence, but this may be legitimately bridged by an inference from the
facts actually observed and proved.
In
other words, an inference is a deduction from established facts and an
assumption or a guess is something quite different but not necessarily related
to established facts.”
In our
view, the Insurance Company has not pointed out any reasonable ground for
contending that the insured might have assigned the assignees interest in favour of third party. Hence, the contention is rejected
and we hold that the Insurance Company would be liable to reimburse the
Complainant on the basis of the amount mentioned in the invoices.
Learned Counsel for the Complainant, contended that the Insurance Company should be directed to make payment first and thereafter, recover it from the KLM.
In our view, the primary liability to reimburse the Complainant is that of the KLM. Even if the Insurance Company reimburse the Complainant, the Insurance Company is entitled to recover the same from the KLM. Hence, in this case, it is not necessary to direct the Insurance Company to reimburse in the first instance, because it is open to the Complainant to recover the amount from the KLM at the earliest. Hence, it is directed that in case the KLM fails to pay the said amount, as directed, within a period of four weeks from the date of this order, it would be open to the Complainant to recover the same from the Insurance Company.
Conclusions:
In the result, it is directed that:
(a)
The Opposite Party No.2, KLM Cargo, shall pay a sum of
Rs.46,96,630/- with interest at the rate of 12% p.a. from
(b) The Opposite Party No.4, National Westminister Bank, shall also deposit a sum equivalent to Pounds 5,000 with the Registrar of this Commission, within a period of four weeks from the date of this order;
(c) The KLM Cargo shall also pay costs of litigation quantified at Rs.1,00,000/- The said amount shall be deposited with the Registrar of this Commission within a period of four weeks from the date of this order.
(d) In case the KLM fails to pay the amount as
directed above, it would be open to the
Complainant to recover the amount of
Rs.46,96,630/- with interest @ 12% per annum from
The amount which may be deposited by the National Westminister Bank and the cost of litigation which shall be deposited by the KLM, with the Registrar of this Commission, shall be deposited by the Registrar in the “Consumer Legal Aid Account” which is to be administered by this Commission.
Original Petition No.47/98
In this complaint also, the
say of the Complainants is similar to
that what is contended in Original Petition No. 217/1997 and Original Petition
No296/1998.
It
is the case of the complainant that it agreed to send gold jewellery
to Nat West Bank, U.K. The jewellery was on Cash on Delivery [COD] basis. The FoB value of
goods exported was US $ 139233 whereas the invoice value was US $ 139769 which
included freight, insurance, packing and forwarding charges of US $ 536.
The said goods were insured with the United India Insurance
Co. Ltd. by a Comprehensive Insurance Cover Note No.83552 dated 16.10.1996 for
an amount of CIF + 10% i.e. US $ 153746 (equal to INR 5451053).
On 16.10.1996, the packets, in which gold ornaments of the complainant were booked, were handed over by Clearing Agent to KLM CARGO Delhi under Airway Bill No.074-7423.3224 dated 16.10.1996. The Airway Bill clearly and specifically mentioned as under:
No. of
Pieces RCP |
Gross
Weight |
Rate Class
Commodity Item No. |
Chargeable Weight |
Rate/ Charge |
Total |
Nature & Quantity Of goods including Dimensions of volume |
|
02 |
17.150 K |
NS 200%
|
17.5 K |
313 |
5477.50 |
SAID TO CONTAIN HANDICRAFTED PLAIN
& MEENAKARI GOLD JEWELLERY VALUABLE CARGO IEC NO.4192000241
RBI NO. DY-000300 GRI NO. AJ 144357 S.B. NO. NEPZ/3980/96 DIMNS:12X12X12XIN02 |
It is also mentioned that:
Handling Information:
NOTIFY : M/s. FM MIR JEWELLERS PEI-2LR
It is clear from the Airway Bill that
the goods were ‘gold jewellery’ and valuable in
nature. The Airway bill required that
M/s. Nat West Bank i.e. the consignee, was to be immediately informed on
arrival of goods, which has not been done.
The value of goods also mentioned on the Airway Bill. A copy of the invoice was given to the Airline
[OP No.3]. It is admitted by OP 3 in
their affidavit by way of evidence that they knew the value of goods. It is submitted that as per the value of the
goods, this case is covered under Clause 22(2)(a) of Schedule-II of the
Carriage by Air Act. It is clear from
the Airway Bill that the complainant had paid freight at the rate of 200% of
the normal freight.
As
the goods had been sent on COD basis, on 17.10.1996 the complainant handed over
the documents to the Vysya Bank Ltd. for forwarding
the same to Nat West Bank. The delivery was on COD basis, hence, the goods
could be cleared only on receipt of payment by Nat West Bank. Accordingly, when the documents were
forwarded to M/s. Nat West Bank, by letter dated 17.10.1996 the Vysya Bank Ltd. issued the following instructions:
1.
Please deliver the documents strictly against payment only. In case of non-payment, please inform us
promptly.
2.
Please collect all your charges from Drawee
only and do not waive.
3.
Please remit the proceeds to the credit of our international banking
Dept.
On
19.10.1996, the gold jewellery sent by the
complainant reached
On
20.10.1996, as per the Release Note sent by KLM Agent, the goods were released
at
On
21.10.1996 the documents sent by Vysya Bank were
delivered to Nat West Bank. As per KLM,
on 22.10.1996, the goods were released and delivered to M/s.Expeditors
whereas the Release Note is dated 20.10.1996.
On 24.10.1996, the complainant wrote to KLM to find out the status of
goods and payment. On the same day, KLM
informed the complainant that the goods had been delivered on 22.10.1996
whereas the goods had been delivered and released to some unauthorized person
on 20.10.1996.
On
25.10.1996 the complainant received fax copy of the Release Order and the
purported Bank Release Note on the basis of which the Cargo was released. The
purported Bank Release Note was in favour of “FM Mir Jewellery” whereas the notified party was “FM Mir Jewellers”. Further
the said Bank Release Note was a FAX/photo copy and had overwriting and
interpolation on the date. Thereafter, Vysya Bank also wrote several letters to Nat West Bank asking
for payment.
On
1.11.1996, Nat West Bank wrote to Vysya Bank
informing as under:
“we have however endeavoured to contact Drawee to send his authority to pay, upto date our communication remains unanswered. No Bank Release has been given.”
Thereafter on 2.11.1996,
there was exchange of correspondence between the complainant and the opp.parties.
The
complainant filed a claim with the United India Insurance Co. Ltd. as it had
taken an “All Risk Insurance Policy” from the said Insurance Company. As the claim of the complainant remained
unattended, it wrote several letters and reminders dated 24.2.1997, 5.4.1997,
5.11.1997, 25.11.1997 and 10.12.1997 to the Insurance Company besides making
representations to the Jt.Secretary, Ministry of
Finance, in view of the casual and callous approach of the Insurance Company in
delaying and in not attending to the claim filed by the complainant. The complainant repeatedly met the officials
of the Insurance Company requesting for a decision on the claim. However, ultimately the Insurance Company
vide its letter dated 27.3.1998, wrongly and erroneously rejected the clam of
the complainant on the ground that the consignment in question had been
delivered to the rightful consignee and, therefore, the loss does not fall
within the purview of the insurance cover.
On
4.11.1996, the complainant wrote to KLM to settle the claim of US $ 139769
since the consignee, namely, Nat West Bank, has confirmed that they have not
issued any Bank Release Order in favour of anybody.
On 21.11.1996, in reply to the
complainant’s letter dated 4.11.1996, KLM rejected the claim on the ground that
they delivered the consignment to the ultimate consignee as per the Airway
Bill, after receiving the Bank Release Note.
It is pertinent to note that No Bank Release Order has been issued as
confirmed by the consignee, i.e., Nat West Bank.
Liability of Opp.Party No.1
It was submitted by the Complainant that Opp.Party No.1, Insurance Company, is liable inasmuch as
the complainant had obtained an “All Risk Insurance Cover”. As per the repudiation letter, the Insurance
Company has denied its liability on the ground that the consignment was
delivered to the right consignee (FM Mir Jewellers). It was further submitted that this contention
of the Insurance Company is absolutely incorrect as the consignee was not ‘FM
Mir Jewellers’ but was ‘the Bank’ and even the
photocopy of the purported Bank Release Note on the basis of which fraudulent
delivery was given refers to ‘FM Mir Jewellery’ and not
‘FM Mir Jewellers’.
Therefore, it cannot be stated that the consignment was delivered to the
right consignee, rather the consignment never reached the right consignee. Further, the Insurance Company is liable for
its negligence as it has delayed in taking any decision in the matter and kept
the claim pending up to 27.3.1998, on which date the claim was wrongly and
illegally rejected (Ann.A.12)
Liability of Opp.Party No.2 – M/s. Nat West
Bank:
It
was submitted by the Complainant that it was the duty of Opp.party
No.2 to ensure that no release of consignment takes place without the
collection of the price from the notified party, namely, FM Mir Jewellers. As a
consignee Bank, it was its duty to ensure the safety of the consignments by
issuing Release Notes only after receipt of full price/payment; and, by
preventing and ruling out unauthorized access to its stationery and
documentation to diminish the possibility of frauds. It is sheer negligence, recklessness and
gross deficiency in service on the part of Opp.Party
No.2, Bank, in all the possible cases, outlined below, for the following
reasons :
(a). if an original Bank Release Note was issued, then the Bank is
liable for authorizing release of consignment before shipping documents were
received by the Bank;
(b). if an original Bank
Release Note was prepared and was only faxed by the consignee Bank to carrier, Opp.Parties No.3 and 4 without delivery of original
thereof, then also the Bank is liable for authorizing release of consignment
without realizing the price and for releasing consignment before shipping
documents were received by the Bank;
(c). if no original Bank
Release Note was prepared or faxed by the consignee Bank to carrier, Opp.Parties No.3 and 4, then it is liable for gross negligence
in allowing misuse of its stationery and signatures of its personnel. Such misuse was made possible by the failure
of the consignee Bank to put in place procedures to prevent banking documents
being deliberately or accidentally released in the ‘wild’ i.e. being available
for misuse by unauthorized parties.
Since the Bank was consignee, its primary duty was realization of price
and commercial safety of the consignment in which it grossly failed.
IT IS
SIGNIFICANT TO NOTE
THAT THE CONSIGNEE
BANK HAS NOT
BEEN ABLE TO
PRODUCE EITHER WITH
ITS PLEADINGS OR
EVIDENCE, THE ORIGINAL
BANK RELEASE DOCUMENTS
AND ADVERSE INFERENCE
SHOULD BE DRAWN
AGAINST THE BANK.
Failure to produce original release note adds further credence to the
allegations or gross negligence and deficiency in service against the Opp.Party No.2 Bank for which it is liable.
Complainant’s Entitlement: It is contended by the Complainant that he is
entitled to the following:
.1. The complainant is
entitled to receive an amount of USD 1,39,769/- as per the invoice. That the complainant is further entitled to
receive another additional 10 per cent from the insurance company as in
accordance with the Marine Insurance policy issued, the insurance cover note
was issued for an amount of CIF USD 1,39,769 along with additional amount of 10
per cent of CIF value, the total amount comes to USD 1,53,746. The complainant is also entitled to receive
interest and expenses incurred.
.2. The premium was
paid to the insurance company on the said amount which premium was
unconditionally accepted by the insurance company.
.3. The complainant is
entitled to receive the amount in US dollar along with interest thereon
inasmuch as the complainant company is a 100% export oriented unit.
.4. For the purpose of
making jewellery and exporting the same, the
complainant imports gold bars from outside
.5. In 1996, the
complainant had imported gold bars by paying US dollar and had after making the
gold jewellery, exported them as per the
invoices. The invoices were in US
dollars and the complainant has suffered in US dollars. Therefore, the complainant is entitled to
receive the amount in US dollars only.
.6. If the claim of
the complainant had been dealt expeditiously, the complainant would have
received US dollars. The complainant
pays its buyers from whom it purchases gold bars in US dollars only.
.7 A great loss and
injury will be caused to the complainant if the complainant is now required to
pay amount in rupees. The complainant
will suffer heavily as the complainant for buyting
the same amount of gold, which it had exported, will have to pay much higher
price. The amount will have to be paid
in US dollars. Therefore, it is most
humbly and respectfully prayed that the complainant is entitled to receive US
dollar along with interest thereon.
PETITIONER ENTITLED TO
ADDITIONAL AMOUNT ON
ACCOUNT OF INCREASE
OF COST OF
RAW MATERIAL
.1. The complainant is in
the business of gold jewellery. The complainant imports gold bars, makes jewellery and exports the same after manufacturing gold
ornaments.
.2. At the time when the
loss occurred, the gold was at USD 384.76 per ounce whereas the present value
of gold is 651.50 per ounce as on 6.8.2006.
The complainant will have to buy the same quantity of gold at a much
higher price.
.3. On account of this
fluctuation in the gold price, the complainant has suffered a further loss of
USD 85,800.64. The complainant is also
entitled to receive the said amount.
COST
OF EXPENSES AND
RECOVERY
The complainant has suffered expenses and an
amount of INR 5,25,000 towards expenses incurred for travel to
INTEREST
It was submitted that presently the complainant is entitled to interest at the rate at which the bank are lending the money rather than the rate at which the banks are accepting the money. The complainant should be granted interest on the basis and at the rate at which the complainant would have borrowed money and not the rate at which the complainant have lend the money. The lending rate by the banks even today is around 13%. Therefore, the complainant is entitled to 13% interest on the awarded amount.
Findings:
For the reasons recorded in Original
Petition No. 217 of 1997, we hold that the act and omission on the part of the
employees of the KLM was reckless as the precious gold jewellery
was delivered to a layman without verifying the source of the fax message,
without ascertaining his identity, without verifying proper documents and
without knowledge of the consignee or consignor. And, it is to be held that it was done with
the knowledge that such release of the goods would cause damage to the
consignor/consignee
Special Declaration as required under Rule 22(2)(a):
For application of Rule 22(2)(a) it has been pointed out
that there was a special declaration of interest in delivery and that the
Complainants have paid 200 per cent of the normal freight charges by
specifically declaring that it was gold jewellery and
its value was as per the invoices. .
In the Air Waybill, Declared
Value for Customs was mentioned at Rs.49,38,595/-.
I. Air Waybill No. : 074 7423 3261
Invoice Dated : 16.10.1996
Value of Goods : US $ 139233
Insurance &
Freight : US $ 536
___________
Total : US
$ 139769
==========
Rate of
conversion not mentioned on the Invoice.
However, in case of Pearl Syntex, on the
invoice dated 18.10.1996, the rate of conversion from US$ to INR
has been mentioned as Rs. 35.47 per US Dollar.
Calculated at the above rate US $ 139769 = Rs.49,57,606
[Note: Calculations supplied by the learned counsel for the parties].
It is to be further stated that in the Invoice
there is a specific mention “Amount chargeable (in words): US Dollars: ONE LAKH
THIRTY NINE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDED SIXTY NINE ONLY”
Bank’s Liability:
With regard to the liability of National Westminister Bank, for the reasons recorded in Original
Petition No.217 of 1996 and Original Petition No. 296 of 1998, it cannot be
held that the officers of the bank have committed any fraud. However, in the
facts of the present case unjustifiable loss of the original documents by the
Bank is on the face of it deficiency in service bordering negligence and for
the same they are held liable to pay damages as stated above, i.e. to say, the
bank shall deposit a sum in Rupees equivalent to 5,000 Pounds, with the
National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission. The said amount shall be deposited by the
Registrar of the National Commission in the Consumer Welfare Fund to be
utilized by the National Commission.
Liability of the Insurance Company:
Learned Counsel, for the
Insurance Company submitted that the Insurance Company is not liable to
reimburse because the loss is not a marine loss.
In
any case, as contended by Respondent No.3 (KLM) that consignment in question
was delivered to the consignee’s agent, M/s.Expediators
on
This submission, in our view, is without any substance for the reasons stated below:
Undisputedly, the Complainant has taken the comprehensive insurance policy for a sum of Rs.54,51,053/-.
The policy begins with a specific
agreement as under:
“The
Company hereby promises and agrees with the assured, their executors,
administrators, and assignors that Company insures against loss, damage,
liability or expense subject to the clauses, endorsements, conditions and
warranties contained in the schedule”.
The clauses annexed with the policy are:
(i)
Institute Cargo Clause (Air)
(ii)
Institute War Clauses (Air Cargo)
(iii)
Institute Strikes Clauses (Air Cargo)
(iv)
Important Red Clauses.
As
per the schedule it was conveyance by air to anywhere in the world and the
conveyance was not through shipment.
The amount covered was Rs.50 lakhs.
Thereafter, Institute Cargo Clause (Air) specifically gives insurance coverage as under: “This insurance covers all risks of loss or damage to the subject matter insured except as provided in Clauses 2, 3, 4 below”.
Exclusions:
.2. In no case shall this insurance cover
2.1.
loss damage or expense attributable to willful misconduct of the assured;
2.2.
ordinary leakage, ordinary loss in weight or volume, or ordinary wear and
tear of the subject matter insured;
2.3.
loss, damage or expense caused by insufficiency or unsuitability of
packing or preparation of the subject-matter insured (for the prupose of this Clause 2.3 “packing” shall be deemed to
include stowage in a container or liftvan but only
when such stowage is carried out prior to attachment of this insurance or by
the assured or their servants);
2.4.
loss, damage or expense caused by inherent vice or nature of the
subject-matter insured;
2.5.
loss, damage or expense arising from unfitness of aircraft, conveyance,
container or liftvan for the safe carriage of the
subject-matter insured, where the assured or their servants are privy to such
unfitness at the time the subject-matter
insured is loaded therein;
2.6.
loss, damage or expense proximately caused by delay, even though the
delay be caused by a risk insured against;
2.7.
loss, damage or expense arising from insolvency or financial default of
the owners managers, charters or operators of the aircraft;
2.8.
loss, damage or expense arising from the use of any weapon of war employing atomic or nuclear fission
and/or fusion or other like reaction or radioactive force or matter;
.3. In no case shall this insurance cover loss damage or expense
caused by:
3.1
war, civil war, revolution, rebellion, insurrection, or civil strife
arising therefrom, or any hostile act by or against a
belligerent power;
3.2
capture, seizure, arrest, restrain or detainment (piracy excepted), and
the consequences thereof or any attempt thereat;
3.3
derelict mines trope does bombs or other derelict weapons of war;
.4. In no case shall this insurance cover loss, damage or expense:
4.1
caused by strikers, locked-out workmen, or persons taking part in labour disturbances, riots or civil commotions;
4.2
resulting from strikes, lock-outs, labour
disturbances, riots or civil commotions;
4.3
caused by any terrorist or any person acting from a political motive.
Duration, inter alia,
specifically provides that it terminates only on delivery to the consignee’.
Further, it is to be stated that even under the
Marine Insurance Act, 1963, the insurance policy can cover the risk as may be
specified by the policy. This would be in conformity with the definition of
maritime perils, which provides for inclusion of such perils designated by the
policy. The policy can be mixed policy to cover sea and land risks. The policy
can be covering the risk for the airlifting of the cargo. And, in this case,
Institute Cargo Clause (Air) specifically covers all risks of loss or damage to
the subject matter, except which are excluded and exclusion clauses do not provide exclusion of
non-delivery of the goods to the consignee.
In
the additional reply filed by the Complainant, it has been pointed out that the
Insurance Company has appointed Surveyors and Investigators who have
specifically stated that in such case, it would be a case of theft and the
Surveyors have recommended settlement of the claim on the basis of the
invoices, as the loss suffered by the
Complainant was beyond its control.
Copies of the two survey reports are produced on record
Further,
Consignments were required to be delivered to the ‘consignee’, and that too on
COD basis (Cash on Delivery basis). Therefore, it cannot be contended that
there was no loss or damage to the subject matter if the consignment is
delivered to a third person on the basis of alleged fax message. In such cases,
the whole consignment is lost and for the loss, the Insurance Company is bound
to reimburse as per the terms of the policy.
In
this view of the matter, in our view, the Insurance Company would be liable to
reimburse the Complainant on the basis of the amount mentioned in the invoices.
Learned Counsel for the Complainant contended that
the Insurance Company should be directed to make payment first and, thereafter,
recover it from the KLM.
In
our view, the primary liability to reimburse the Complainant is that of the
KLM. Even if the Insurance Company reimburse the Complainant, the Insurance
Company is entitled to recover the same from the KLM. Hence, in this case, it
is not necessary to direct the Insurance Company to reimburse first, because it
is open to the Complainant to recover the amount from the KLM at the earliest.
Hence, it is directed that in case the KLM fails to pay the said amount, as
directed, within a period of four weeks from the date of this order, it would
be open to the Complainant to recover the same from the Insurance Company.
Conclusions:
In the result, it is directed that:
(a). the Opposite Party No.3, KLM Cargo, shall pay a sum of Rs.49,57,600/- (rounded figure) with interest at the rate of 12% p.a. from 1st November, 1996 till its payment, within a period of four weeks from the date of this order;
(b). the Opposite Party No.2, National Westminister Bank, shall also deposit a sum equivalent to Pounds 5,000 with the Registrar of this Commission, within a period of four weeks from the date of this order;
(c). the KLM Cargo shall also pay costs of litigation quantified at Rs.1,00,000/- The said amount shall be deposited with the Registrar of this Commission within a period of four weeks from the date of this order.
(d) In case the KLM fails to pay the amount as directed above, it would be open to the Complainant to recover an amount of Rs.49,57,600/- (rounded figure) with interest @ 12% per annum from 1st November, 1996 till its payment, from the Insurance Company.
The amount which may be deposited by the National Westminister Bank and the cost of litigation which shall be deposited by the KLM, with the Registrar of this Commission, shall be deposited by the Registrar in the “Consumer Legal Aid Account” which is to be administered by this Commission.
Sd/-
…………………………………….J.
(
M.B.SHAH)
PRESIDENT
Sd/-
………………………………………
(RAJYALAKSHMI
RAO)
MEMBER