HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA
M.A.C.M.A.No.2808 OF 2007
JUDGMENT:
This appeal is preferred by the appellant-Injured, questioning the order and decree, dated 03.07.2007 passed in O.P.No.179 of 2006 on the file of the Chairman, MACT-Cum-V Additional District and Sessions Judge, Nalgonda at Miryalguda (for short, the Tribunal).
2. For the sake of convenience, the parties have been referred to as arrayed before the Tribunal.
3. The petitioner filed a petition under Section 166 read with Section 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act,1988 claiming compensation of Rs.1,00,000/- for the sustained injuries by him in a motor vehicle accident. That on 15.02.2006 at about 10:00 am, the petitioner and his friend namely Ragi Veera Chary were going on motor cycle CT 100 bearing No.AP-24-L- 5586 from Haliya to Nalgonda and the petitioner was riding the motor cycle on extreme left side of the road in normal speed by observing traffic rules, and when they reached near Venkatapuram near Pulimamidi bus stage at about 10:20 am, one auto bearing No.AP-24-V-7443 came in opposite direction in a rash and negligent manner and dashed against the 2 NBK, J MACMA_2808_2007 motorcycle of the petitioner. As a result, the petitioner and his friend received injuries and the petitioner received fracture of right left both bone of tibia and fibula and other multiple injuries all over the body. Immediately, after the accident the petitioner and other injured persons were shifted to Government Headquarters Hospital, Nalgonda, later to Sri Rama Orthopedic Hospital, Nalgonda and petitioner was discharged on 08.03.2006. The Police, Alwal registered the case in Cr.No.10 of 2006 under Section 337 of IPC against the driver of the auto of respondent No.1. Prior to aforesaid accident, the petitioner was working as private employee in Sri Srinivasa Flywood and Glass Works, Nalgonda and earning Rs.3,000/- per month. Therefore, he laid the claim against the respondents.
4. Before the Tribunal, first respondent remained exparte and 2nd respondent filed written statement and denied the material averments made in the petition.
5. Basing on the above pleadings, the following issues are framed before the Tribunal:-
1) Whether the petitioner received injuries in the road accident that took place on 15.02.2006 at about 3 NBK, J MACMA_2808_2007 10:30 am, in the outskirts of Venkatapuram village between Pulimamidi bus stage? If so, whether the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the auto bearing registration No.AP-24-V-7443, by its driver ?
2) Whether the petitioner is entitled to claim compensation? If so, to what amount and from whom?
3) To what relief?
6. During trial, on behalf of the claimant, the injured examined himself as PW-1 and doctors who treated him are examined as PW-2 and PW-3 and got marked Exs.A1 to A8. On behalf of the respondents, marked Ex.B-1 Copy of Insurance policy under Ex.B-1 and reported no oral evidence.
7. After considering the oral and documentary evidence on record, the Tribunal came to the conclusion that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the auto and awarded total compensation of Rs.33,000/- with interest @ 7.5% per annum, i.e., Rs.15,000/- towards medical expenses and extra-nourishment, Rs.5,000/- towards pain and suffering, Rs.10,000/- medical expenses for the treatment taken at Yashoda Hospital, Rs.3,000/- towards transportation and Rs.10,000/- towards loss of future 4 NBK, J MACMA_2808_2007 earnings. Dissatisfied with the quantum of compensation, the appellant filed the present appeal, seeking enhancement of the same.
8. Heard both sides and perused the material available on record.
9. The main contention of the learned Counsel for the appellant is that the Court below erred in not awarding the compensation towards pain and suffering due to the injuries received in the accident. It is further contended that the amounts granted under the head of extra-nourishment are mixed with the medical expenses, which is very meager.
10. A perusal of the record, it is seen that awarding the amount of extra-nourishment by inclusive of medical expenses that too a meager amount i.e., Rs.15,000/- is not a reasonable one. In view of the fracture injury and treatment under gone by the petitioner, it is just and reasonable to award an amount of Rs.20,000/- exclusively under the head of extra-nourishment. Further, an amount of Rs.5,000/- awarded towards pain and suffering is also very meager and 5 NBK, J MACMA_2808_2007 needs to be enhanced by Rs.20,000/-, keeping in view the nature of the injury as grievous.
11. Further, on a perusal of the evidence on record, it can safely be concluded that the petitioner might have shuttled from Nalgonda to Hyderabad and from Hyderabad to Nalgonda and from Nalgonda to Halia after his discharge, for which Rs.3,000/- awarded towards transportation is enhanced to Rs.5,000/-. Except the above said enhancements, the Judgment of the Tribunal remains unchanged.
12. In the result, the Motor Accident Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is partly allowed, enhancing the compensation amount awarded by the Tribunal from Rs.33,000/- to Rs.70,000/-. The enhanced amount shall carry interest @ 7.5% per annum from the date of claim petition till realization.
Miscellaneous petitions pending, if any, shall stand closed. No costs.
______________________ NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA, J 12.09.2023 VRKS 6 NBK, J MACMA_2808_2007 HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE NAGESH BHEEMAPAKA M.A.C.M.A.No.2808 OF 2007 12.09.2023 VRKS