Insurance claim rejected for ‘hiding’ teen’s sickle cell disease, family wins Rs 7 lakh relief

A 19-year-old’s death was followed by another blow for his family when India Post rejected his Rs 7 lakh Rural Postal Life Insurance (RPLI) claim, alleging that his sickle cell disease had been concealed. Nearly two years later, a Chhattisgarh consumer body has ruled that the insurer failed to prove the allegation, holding that a claim cannot be denied without medical evidence.

President Prashant Kundu and members Vishal Tiwari and Mahima Singh of the Janjgir-Champa District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission were hearing a complaint filed by the late teenager’s parents, Vidyacharan Sahu and Shanti Bai Sahu, against the Department of Posts and Postal Life Insurance authorities.