New Delhi, October 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court has directed the Centre and state governments to interlink key accident, vehicle and insurance databases within four weeks to streamline motor accident claim processing and enable the seamless exchange of information.
A bench comprising Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Prasanna B. Varale directed the authorities to integrate the VAHAN, SARATHI, Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) and Insurance Information Bureau (IIB) databases.
The court also instructed all states to ensure that accident-related information is uploaded to the eDAR portal, operated by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), without delay. It observed that only a few states had begun uploading data despite the portal already being operational.
The integration of eDAR with the IIB, which functions under the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), is intended to facilitate cross-referencing of accident reports, vehicle details, insurance records and previous claim histories.
The court said the integration should also cover hit-and-run cases and the PM-RAHAT scheme, allowing early accident alerts to be sent directly to insurance companies.
Directing the Centre and states to complete the exercise “within four weeks from today positively”, the bench ordered them to submit compliance reports through affidavits, along with details required under its earlier orders.
The directions were issued as the apex court reviewed compliance by insurance companies with previous orders requiring senior officials to appear personally and explain their failure to appear in the proceedings.
The bench took a stern view of several insurers’ failure to comply with directions concerning the appearance of officials and the filing of affidavits. It issued contempt notices to the chief executives of certain insurance companies.
The court also rejected an apology submitted by Navi General Insurance Ltd. Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Vaibhav Goyal, describing it as “only cosmetic and not heartfelt”.
Observing that no action had been taken against the person responsible for failing to process the court’s notice, the bench issued a contempt notice to Goyal and directed him to file a personal affidavit explaining why appropriate action should not be taken against him.
Separately, the Supreme Court gave a final opportunity to states that had not constituted Special Investigation Teams (SITs) in accordance with its earlier orders. The states were directed to establish the teams within four weeks.
The matter has been listed for further hearing on November 27 at 2 p.m.
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