SIT Uncovers Fraud in ICICI Lombard Road Accident Claim

A thorough investigation by the Special Investigation Team (SIT), constituted by the Hon’ble Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench, on a petition filed by ICICI Lombard, has unveiled staggering fraudulent practices in road accident claims. In one particular case, which involves a claim filed in the aftermath of the tragic death of Chandrawati, alias Indrawati, who died on February 10, 2019, following an alleged road accident that occurred in November 2018.

Initially reported as a motorcycle collision (registration number UP22AH-9210) on November 5, 2018, it was claimed that Chandrawati and her husband, Om Prakash, were standing by the roadside near the CRPF Gate in Rampur. The petition alleged that a motorcycle struck the couple, leading to severe head injuries for Chandrawati and minor injuries for her husband. Despite receiving medical care at Shri Ram Murti Smarak Hospital and Institute of Medical Sciences (SRMS), Bareilly, Chandrawati ultimately succumbed to her injuries.

However, following the complaint by ICICI Lombard, the SIT’s extensive investigation has revealed critical discrepancies between the claims made in the petition and validated medical records. According to discharge summaries from SRMS Hospital, the injuries were actually caused by a "fall from a bike" on November 9, 2018, not a collision with another vehicle. Furthermore, a detailed review of the incident location, coupled with testimony from SIT Inspector Mr. Sanjay Verma, clarified that both Chandrawati and Om Prakash were traveling as riders on a two-wheeler that lost balance, resulting in her tragic fall.

The SIT has characterized this case as a “core fraud of vehicle implant,” underscoring a malicious attempt to falsely implicate an unrelated vehicle and its driver. This investigation highlights the urgent need to safeguard public money from fraudulent claims that not only jeopardize the financial integrity of the insurance system but also divert vital resources away from genuine cases that requires urgent support.

Nazeem Khan – Head - ICLM & Motor Third Party Claims & Litigation, ICICI Lombard, stated, “We commend the SIT for their relentless pursuit of the truth in this case. Their findings reinforce our commitment to ensuring that the insurance process remains transparent and fair. Fraudulent claims erode public trust and undermine the very foundation of the insurance ecosystem. We remain committed in our efforts to curb fraud by pro-actively investigating and collaborating with law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served.”