NATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD vs SANTRO DEVI

The Supreme Court upheld the High Court's ruling that a forged driving licence, even if renewed, does not constitute a valid driving licence under the Motor Vehicles Act. The Court established that an insurer cannot deny liability for third-party claims based on the use of a forged licence, provided the insured had no knowledge of the forgery. The judgment clarified that the insurer remains liable to indemnify third parties for tortious acts committed by the insured or their employees, reinforcing the principle of statutory liability under the Motor Vehicles Act.