PRADEEP KUMAR JAIN vs BUTTAN .

The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, holding that the claimants were unauthorized passengers in a Matador vehicle, which was not covered by the insurance policy for passenger carriage. The Court reiterated the principle established in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. vs. Asha Rani & Ors. that transport vehicles cannot be used for carrying passengers, thereby affirming the Tribunal's decision to hold the insurance company liable despite the driver's lack of a valid license. The appeal was dismissed with directions for the awarded amount to be deposited within eight weeks.