States told to link eDAR, VAHAN, SARATHI and insurance databases within four weeks; insurance chiefs face contempt notices
New Delhi, October 9: The Supreme Court has directed all states to promptly upload road-accident data to the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal. It has also ordered that eDAR be integrated with the VAHAN vehicle registry, the SARATHI driving-licence database and the Insurance Information Bureau. The goal is to create a single digital record for every crash.
A bench of Justices Ahsanuddin Amanullah and PB Varale said the linked system would allow claims to be checked instantly against police records, vehicle and licence details, insurance cover and past claims. This should help flag fake, duplicate or collusive claims before they reach tribunals. The system will also cover hit-and-run cases and the PM-RAHAT scheme, which offers cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim. This could speed up help for genuine victims.
The bench noted that only a handful of states had begun using eDAR. It gave the Centre and the states four weeks to comply and file reports. States that have not yet set up special investigation teams on insurance fraud were given a “last indulgence” of four weeks to do so.
The court also issued contempt show-cause notices to the heads of several insurers. It rejected Navi General Insurance’s apology as cosmetic and pulled up Liberty General’s chief executive for “total casualness”. Notices also went to New India Assurance, Zuno General Insurance and GIC. The case will next be heard on November 27.
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