Insurer flags false documentation to claim accident relief

Davanagere: A scam to create false documents to defraud Sriram General Insurance Company of crores of rupees surfaced in connection with an accident case reported between Savalanga and Shikaripura in Nyamati taluk, prompting the insurer to seek a reinvestigation from the Davanagere SP.Following the complaint, 10 applications for insurance claims related to accident cases in the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal at Ranebennur were withdrawn. All 10 persons, who claimed insurance, withdrew their cases the day after Sriram General Insurance Company filed a petition to the SP.The accident, involving a tourist bus and a two-wheeler, happened on Savalanga-Shikaripura Road on May 10, 2025. The case was registered at Nyamati police station. Police investigated the case and submitted a chargesheet to the court. Applications seeking compensation — 10 people were injured in the accident — were submitted to the court.Most applicants were from Mandya and Mysuru districts. They submitted treatment records from McGann Medical College Hospital in Shivamogga and a private hospital in Mangaluru. As the total value of all claims exceeded Rs 1 crore, the insurance company took the matter seriously, and its officials thoroughly reviewed the case. It was confirmed that the documents submitted with the compensation claims were false.It was also found that the applicants seeking insurance were not travelling on the bus. Suspecting a scam to obtain insurance benefits through false documentation, the company filed a complaint with the police seeking reinvestigation.According to the complaint filed by Radhe Gopal Sharma, legal adviser of Sriram General Insurance Company, all 10 persons who claimed insurance showed their permanent residence as Kamadod and Magod villages in Ranebennur. However, the company's internal investigation found they were not the residents of Kamadod and Magod. Aswhini Dhanawat, ED and CIO of Sriram General Insurance Company, said the company is committed to providing prompt compensation to accident victims. "It is equally vigilant in preventing fraudsters from misusing the insurance system. To achieve this balance, we have strengthened our specialised teams of legal officers, and investigators. If fraud is detected, strict legal action will be taken," she added.