M/S GODAVARI FINANCE CO. vs DEGALA SATYANARAYANAMMA .

The Supreme Court addressed whether a financer qualifies as an 'owner' of a motor vehicle under Section 2(30) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Court held that ownership is determined by actual possession and control, not merely by financing, thus affirming that the financer is not liable for compensation under Section 168 of the Act. The appeal by the financer was dismissed, upholding the Tribunal's decision that the registered owner was solely responsible for the accident.