NARBADA DEVI . vs H.P. STATE FOREST CORP. . — C.A. No. 6379/2010

Summary: The Supreme Court dismissed the appeal by Narbada Devi (heirs of deceased employee Om Prakash) challenging the National Commission's order that rejected their insurance claim. The Court held that the deceased's death was not accidental but resulted from natural causes—asphyxiation caused by alcohol consumption and regurgitation of food into the larynx—making it ineligible for coverage under the Janta Personal Accident Insurance Policy, which covers only accidental deaths. Additionally, Proviso 4 of the policy explicitly excludes compensation for deaths occurring under the influence of intoxicating liquor. The Court confirmed that the H.P. State Forest Corporation had no liability under the insurance scheme as it merely acted as a mediator for premium deposits, and any liability would fall only under the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923, which was already being pursued separately. This case analysis is maintained by casestatus.in based on publicly available court records.