‘Explain failure to amend MCOP rules to recognise CCTNS’

Justice P N Prakash passing orders pursuant to notices being severed on seven advocates over alleged fraud indulged by them in motor accident claims, said “This court has directed the State to amend the MCOP rules for giving legal imprimatur to CCTNS online platform. But it is reported that till date, the State has not amended the MCOP rules. Hence, notice is issued to the Advocate General to get instructions from the government in this regard and report to this court as to why no amendment has been made to the MCOP rules so far.”

The body, appointed by the court on July 19, to inquire into the menace of multiple insurance claims for the same accident, had examined 353 cases, related to compensation claim totaling Rs 60.71 crore, and received responses from 150 advocates or claimants. Based on the findings, as many as seven lawyers were served notices by the Registry. Of them, four had responded through their counsels while three are yet to respond.

However, the Judge, while recording these aspects also noted in his order that “It is brought to the notice of this court that the police are not uploading the documents related to MCOP cases in the CCTNS online platform, and in particular, the mobile number of the victims and the Motor Vehicle Inspectors’ reports even after charge sheets are filed, for extraneous reasons.”

“This has to be explained by the police. Hence, B Shridevi, ADSP PCW, State Crime Records Bureau, is directed to be present before this court on December 20,” the Judge noted. ​Also, the Judge, on perusing the CB-CID report submitted in a sealed cover narrating the progress of the investigation, said “Seemingly, the CB-CID have almost zeroed in on some persons. It may not be appropriate for this court to express anything beyond this at this juncture, as there is every likelihood of the suspects getting scent and escaping from the clutches of law.”

​The Judge, in his order, also noted that the circular to all the MCOP Tribunals directing them to take prints of the deposition of the witnesses immediately after they are signed, and furnish photocopies of the same as certified true copies, to the parties or their counsel has not been complied with so far.

​Further, recording the City Civil Court, submission that after recording the deposition, the same is hosted in the court website so as to enable the parties to download the same without awaiting a certified copy of the deposition, Justice Prakash also directed the MCOP Tribunals to upload the deposition of witnesses in the CIS, thereby enabling the parties to peruse the same and even take prints of it, if need be.