NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD. vs DEEPA DEVI .

The Supreme Court addressed the liability for compensation under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, in a case where a vehicle requisitioned by the State for election duty was involved in an accident. The Court upheld the High Court's ruling that the owner of the vehicle, the State Government, and the Insurance Company are jointly and severally liable for compensation, despite the insurance policy's limitations on use. The judgment clarified that the registered owner remains liable even when the vehicle is in the possession of a third party, affirming the principle established in Guru Govekar v. Miss Filomena F. Lobo.