Burden Of Proof On Vehicle Owner To Establish Driver's Valid License: Jharkhand High Court Sets Aside ₹6.63 Lakh Compensation Award

The Jharkhand High Court ruled that the burden of proof lies on the vehicle owner to establish that the driver holds a valid driving license. The case involved a compensation claim of ₹6.63 lakh, where the vehicle owner sought to challenge the liability for an accident. The Court observed that in cases of motor accidents, the onus is on the owner to prove that the driver was licensed and authorized to operate the vehicle. Since the owner failed to provide adequate evidence regarding the driver’s credentials, the Court set aside the compensation award. This ruling underscores the importance of the vehicle owner's responsibility in ensuring legal compliance and verifying the qualifications of the driver to avoid liability in accident cases.