ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD. vs DEVIREDDY KONDA REDDY .

The Supreme Court upheld the decision of the Andhra Pradesh High Court that insurers are liable to pay compensation for deaths of gratuitous passengers in goods vehicles under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Court referenced Section 149(2) of the Act and clarified that the principles established in New India Assurance Company vs. Satpal Singh (2000) apply, despite the insurer's argument regarding differences in statutory language. The Court affirmed the liability of the insurer to indemnify claims made by the legal representatives of deceased gratuitous passengers.