Citation : 2026 Latest Caselaw 656 Chatt
Judgement Date : 17 March, 2026
1
2026:CGHC:12800
NAFR
HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR
MAC No. 473 of 2022
• Gaurav Manwani, S/o Harish Manwani, Aged About 23 Years, R/o Chatarji
Street, New Sarkanda, Ward No.47, Sarkanda, Police Station Sarkanda,
Bilaspur, Tahsil And District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh.
... Appellant
versus
1. Balram Nishad, S/o Gaind Singh Nishad, Aged About 34 Years, R/o Village
Ragholi (Agarwada), Post Salhetekri, Tahsil Nilbaihar, District Balaghat
(Madhya Pradesh), At Present Mandir Hasaud, Under Railway Fatak (In
House Of Punit Yadaw) District Raipur, Chhattisgarh (Driver Of The Vehicle
Bus No. C.G.-04/E/3376).
2. New Jeevan Bus Service Properitor Akashdeep Singh Mill, New Bus Stand,
Pandari, Raipur, Tahsil And District Raipur, Chhattisgarh (Owner Of The
Vehicle Bus No. C.G.-04/E/3376).
3. Branch Manager, The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, Branch Office
1st Floor, Rama Trade Center, In Front Of Rajiv Plaza, Old Bus Stand Road,
Bilaspur, Tahsil And District Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh (Insurer Of The Vehicle
Bus No. C.G.-04/E/3376).
... Respondents
(Cause title taken from Case Information System) For Appellant : Mr. Anand Kesharwani, Advocate. For Respondent No.2 : Mr. Virendra Verma, Advocate. For Respondent No.3 : Mr. Deepak Gupta, Advocate.
Hon'ble Shri Justice Sachin Singh Rajput Order on Board 17/03/2026
1. The appellant/claimant has filed this appeal under Section 173 of the Motor
Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short "M.V. Act") seeking enhancement of amount of
compensation, challenging the award dated 24.12.2021 passed by the
learned Fourth Upper Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Bilaspur, District
Digitally DEEPTI signed by JHA DEEPTI JHA
Bilaspur (C.G.) (for short "Claims Tribunal") in Claim Case No.731/2018,
whereby the learned Claims Tribunal allowed the application filed under
Section 166 of the Act, 1988 in part and awarded total sum of Rs.12,47,933/-,
as compensation, on account of the injuries sustained by the appellant.
2. An accident occurred on 11.01.2018 by rash and negligent driving of the
offending vehicle 'Bus' bearing Registration No. CG-04-E-3376 driven by
respondent No.1/driver, which was owned by respondent No.2/owner and
insured with the respondent No.3/insurance company.
3. As per the claim application filed under Section 166 of the M.V. Act, the
appellant was a private student of engineering and was also running a
grocery shop and used to earn Rs.15,000/- per month. He became
permanent disabled person on account of the injuries sustained by him in the
said accident, which resulted into severe injuries on legs, hands and other
parts of body. He spent Rs.4,50,000/- for his medical treatment and further
Rs.2,00,000/- is required for his future treatment. On seeking compensation
on all other heads, appellant claimed Rs.17,30,000/- as compensation
amount.
4. The claim application of the appellant/claimant was registered on various
counts. Insurance Company is taking a plea that there is a violation of
insurance policy.
5. On the basis of above pleadings, learned Claims Tribunal framed as many as
six issues and decided the same in favour of the appellant/claimant and
awarded the above stated compensation.
6. Learned counsel for the appellant submits that the learned Claims Tribunal
found the permanent disability and loss of earning capacity of the appellant
to 40%. The income was also rightly assessed to Rs.9,360/- per month,
however, no future prospects was added and the amount of compensation on
all other heads is also on lower side. Thus, suitable enhancement may be
made.
7. Learned counsel appearing for the respective respondents opposes the
submission made by the learned counsel for the appellant and submits that
just and proper compensation has been awarded to the appellant/claimant.
Income of the appellant/claimant could not be proved, thus, finding recorded
by the learned Claims Tribunal is based on proper appreciation of evidence,
hence, the impugned order does not required any interference by this Court.
8. I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the record of claim
case available on record.
9. So far as, the disability is to the tune of 40% and earning capacity is
concerned, this Court does not find any illegality or irregularity in the findings
of the learned Claims Tribunal. The income of the appellant/claimant arrived
at by the learned Claims Tribunal is also based on proper appreciation, thus,
it is hereby maintained. However, the learned Claims Tribunal fails in not
awarding any future prospects, thus, this Court is inclined to re-assess the
compensation in the following manner:-
S.No. Particulars Compensation
A) Monthly salary assessed as Rs.1,12,320/-
Rs.9360 x 12
B) Addition towards loss of future prospects Rs.1,57,248/-
40% (Rs.1,12,320 x 40% + Rs.1,12,320)
C) For loss of future income Rs.62,899.2/-
(Rs.1,57,248 x 40%)
D) Multiplier of 18 (Rs.62,899 x 18) Rs.11,32,185/-
E) Loss of monthly income as awarded Rs.10,000/-
F) For Attendant as awarded Rs.12,000/-
G) For transportation as awarded Rs.12,000/-
H) For nutritional diet as awarded Rs.20,000/-
I) For pain and suffering Rs.25,000/-
J) For medical expenses Rs.3,65,229/-
TOTAL Rs.15,76,414/-
10. The learned Tribunal has awarded Rs.12,47,933/- which is deducted from the
total compensation now awarded and the enhanced compensation comes to
Rs.3,28,481/- (Rs.15,76,414 - Rs.12,47,933). Looking to the facts and
circumstances of the case, interest @ 6% is also awarded on the enhanced
amount of compensation from the date of filing of the appeal to be deposited
by the insurance company within a period of 60 days.
11. In the result, the appeal is allowed in part with modification in the impugned
award to the extent indicated hereinabove.
Sd/-
(Sachin Singh Rajput) Judge
Deepti Jha
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