S. B. Majmudar, J. - (1.) Leave granted.
(2.) At the SLP stage itself, by order dated 26thMarch, 1997, this Court had directed as under: "Delay condoned. Issue Notice for final disposal of the SLP in the light of decision of this Court in New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Mandar Madhav Tambe, (1996) 2 SCC 328 . Notice on application for stay wherein there shall be ad-interim stay of the order of the High Court as against the petitioner, Insurance Co. only, till further orders."
(3.) Pursuant to the notice for final disposal issued in the SLP, respondents Nos. 1 and 9 who are duly served, have not thought it fit to appear and contest these proceedings. The contest now, therefore, survives between the appellant-Insurance Company on the one hand and the claimants who are represented by learned counsel Mr. H. K. Puri. Having heard learned counsel for contesting parties, we are disposing of this appeal finally by this judgment.;