The Supreme Court of India has directed the Union Government, States and Union Territories to integrate key digital platforms used for vehicle records, driving licences, road accident reports and insurance information. The exercise is aimed at enabling authorities and insurers to cross-check accident-related information and previous claim histories more effectively amid ongoing proceedings concerning suspected fraudulent motor accident compensation claims.
A Bench of Justice Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Justice Prasanna B. Varale issued the directions on September 23, 2026, in The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Tuni Pati & Ors.
Background
The proceedings arose from a challenge by Oriental Insurance Company Limited to a motor accident compensation claim. During the broader proceedings, the Court examined concerns relating to suspected fraudulent claims and the need for better coordination among insurance companies, transport authorities and government agencies.
The Court was informed that the Electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) portal, operated by the National Informatics Centre (NIC), had been established, but only a few States had started uploading relevant data. The issue prompted a direction for wider use of the portal and integration with existing government and insurance databases.
The Court directed all States to upload the relevant information to eDAR without delay. It further ordered the interlinking of VAHAN, which maintains vehicle registration information, SARATHI, which relates to driving licences, eDAR and the Insurance Information Bureau (IIB), which operates under the insurance regulator.
The order states:
“A direction is issued to all the concerned authorities, including the Union of India and States to ensure interlinking of VAHAN, SARATHI, eDAR and IIB for seamless cross-reference of accident reports, vehicle/insurer records and prior claim(s) history. This integration shall extend to Hit-and-Run and PM-RAHAT Schemes, enabling early accident alerts directly to insurers. The same be done within four weeks from today positively.”
The integration is intended to allow relevant information to be cross-checked across platforms, including accident reports, vehicle details, insurance records and earlier claims. The Court also directed the concerned authorities to extend the system to hit-and-run cases and the PM-RAHAT Scheme.
Separately, the Bench addressed repeated failures by certain insurance companies to comply with earlier directions concerning their appearance before the Court. It issued contempt notices in specified cases, including against the heads of Navi General Insurance Limited and General Insurance Corporation of India, requiring explanations for the alleged non-compliance. The Court also directed certain company officials to file fresh affidavits addressing the lapses.
The Bench further reiterated that States which had not yet constituted Special Investigation Teams (SITs) in accordance with its earlier orders must do so within four weeks.
The Supreme Court directed the concerned authorities to complete the integration of VAHAN, SARATHI, eDAR and IIB within four weeks from September 23, 2026. The parties concerned must also submit compliance reports and relevant details by affidavit.
The matter was listed for further hearing on November 27, 2026
