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High Court of Gujarat

NATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTDversusMUSABKHAN AMIRKHAN PATHAN

Disposal
39-RULE DISCHARGED/DISMISSED @ FH

Holding

The appeal is dismissed on the ground of the smallness of the amount, without deciding any substantive issue on merit.

Summary

The National Insurance Co. Ltd filed a first appeal seeking recovery of Rs.4,36,500 arising from a road accident. The respondents did not appear before the High Court of Gujarat. The Court observed that the amount claimed was small and that there was no dispute over the accident, and therefore deemed the appeal unworthy of detailed consideration. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed solely on the ground of the smallness of the amount, without addressing any substantive merits. The judgment expressly states that this dismissal should not be treated as precedent and directs the tribunal to disburse the claimed amount to the claimant after verification, deducting any unpaid court fees.

Issues considered

  • Whether a first appeal for a claim of Rs.4,36,500 should be entertained despite the small quantum of the amount
  • Whether dismissal on the ground of smallness of amount can set a precedent for future cases

Subjects

appeal dismissalsmall causeinsurance claimcivil procedureprecedentcourt fees

Judgment

   C/FA/1567/2015                                JUDGMENT DATED: 20/01/2026




       IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD

                    R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 1567 of 2015

FOR APPROVAL AND SIGNATURE:

HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE J. L. ODEDRA
==========================================================
          Approved for Reporting                 Yes          No

==========================================================
                   NATIONAL INSURANCE CO LTD
                              Versus
                MUSABKHAN AMIRKHAN PATHAN & ORS.
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR SUNIL B PARIKH(582) for the Appellant(s) No. 1
RULE SERVED for the Defendant(s) No. 1,2,3,4
==========================================================
 CORAM:HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE J. L. ODEDRA
                 Date : 20/01/2026
                  ORAL JUDGMENT

  1. Though served, none has appeared on behalf of the

     respondents.

  2. Heard learned advocate Mr. Sunil Parikh appearing for

     appellant – Insurance Company.

  3. What could be noticed that the Insurance Company has

     claimed the amount to the tune of Rs.4,36,500/-. This is a

     small and meager amount and considering the aspect of

     having no dispute in regards to the road accident, this

     Court is of the opinion that this appeal may not deserve

     consideration,       more   particularly,    on    the     ground        of

     smallness of amount. Accordingly, present first appeal


                                 Page 1 of 2
            C/FA/1567/2015                                                             JUDGMENT DATED: 20/01/2026




                stands dismissed.

          4. It is made clear that present first appeal is dismissed on

                account of smallness of the amount and the order passed

                by this Court shall not be treated as precedent so as to say

                that this Court has decided any issue on merit. The whole

                purpose to dismiss the appeal on account of smallness of

                amount is with a view to avoid hardship both physically

                and financially on the part of the original claimant to

                appear and defend the case. Therefore, this order shall not

                be cited as precedent in any pending matters arising from

                same accident before any Court.

          5. R & P, if any, to be sent back to the concerned Court

                immediately. The appellant is at liberty to revive the appeal

                in case of difficulty. Consequently connected application/s,

                if any, also stands disposed of.

          6. The learned Tribunal is directed to disburse the entire

                amount to the claimant after due and proper verification.

                While making the payment, the Tribunal shall deduct the

                court fees, if not paid, in accordance with rules/law.



                                                                                                (J. L. ODEDRA, J)

     JIGAR J RABARI
Original copy of this order has been signed by the Hon'ble Judge.
Digitally signed by: JIGAR RABARI(HCD0067), ENGLISH STENOGRAPHER GRADE TWO CLASS TWO, at High Court of Gujarat on 20/01/2026 17:09:51

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