The case of former Indian cricketer S Sreesanth’s injury and the subsequent insurance claim by his team, Rajasthan Royals, has resurfaced in the Supreme Court. The incident dates back to 2012 when Sreesanth suffered a knee injury during a practice match, which led to him being ruled out of the IPL season. The Royals had insured their players under a policy worth over Rs 8.7 crore and filed a claim of around Rs 82 lakh, citing that the injury made Sreesanth unfit to participate.
However, the insurance company, United India Insurance, rejected the claim, stating that Sreesanth had a pre-existing toe injury from 2011 that was not disclosed when the policy was taken. The insurer argued that this prior injury could have affected Sreesanth’s availability, making the Royals’ claim invalid. The National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission initially ruled in favor of the Royals, ordering the insurer to pay the claim. But the insurance company appealed to the Supreme Court, where the case is now being revisited.
The Royals maintain that the toe injury did not prevent Sreesanth from playing and that the knee injury was the sole reason for his absence. They submitted fitness certificates to support their claim, which were issued before and after the knee injury. The Supreme Court has asked the insurance firm to produce additional documents, including Sreesanth’s fitness certificates and the original application for the policy.
The case raises questions about the disclosure of pre-existing injuries and the validity of insurance claims. The Supreme Court’s decision will have implications for the Royals, who are still waiting for a resolution to their claim. The case also highlights the complexities of insurance policies and the need for clear disclosure of pre-existing conditions. The matter remains unresolved, with the Supreme Court seeking more information before making a decision. The decade-old dispute between the Royals and their insurer continues to linger, with no end in sight.