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The K.S.R.T.C vs Indumathi
2024 Latest Caselaw 151 Kant

Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 151 Kant
Judgement Date : 3 January, 2024

Karnataka High Court

The K.S.R.T.C vs Indumathi on 3 January, 2024

Author: Pradeep Singh Yerur

Bench: Pradeep Singh Yerur

                                           -1-
                                                         NC: 2024:KHC:196
                                                    MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                                 C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                                    MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                                    MFA No. 5488 of 2021


              IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU
                       DATED THIS THE 3RD DAY OF JANUARY, 2024
                                        BEFORE
                     THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE PRADEEP SINGH YERUR

                   MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 6583 OF 2021 (MV-D)
                                          C/W
               MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 333 OF 2020 (MV-D),
               MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 1829 OF 2020 (MV-D),
               MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 5488 OF 2021 (MV-D)

              IN MFA No.6583 OF 2021
              BETWEEN:

              1.     DRAKSHAYINI
                     W/O LATE CHIKKANNA.C @ CHIKKEGOWDA,
                     41 YEARS,
                     ALL ARE R/O NO.632, HOOTAGALLI,
                     HUNSUR ROAD, MYSORE.
                     PRESENTLY R/O KYATHANAHALLI VILLAGE,
                     HALLIMYSORE HOBLI,
                     HOLENARASIPURA TALUK,
                     HASSAN DISTRICT-573 201.
Digitally
signed by B   2.     MANJUNATHA C
LAVANYA              S/O LATE CHIKKANNA.C @ CHIKKEGOWDA,
Location:            22 YEARS,
HIGH
COURT OF      3.     C.ANJU
KARNATAKA
                     D/O LATE CHIKKANNA.C @ CHIKKEGOWDA,
                     19 YEARS,

              4.     DODDAMMA
                     W/O CHIKKEGOWDA,
                     63 YEARS

                     ALL ARE R/O NO.632, HOOTAGALLI,
                     HUNSUR ROAD, MYSORE.
                           -2-
                                        NC: 2024:KHC:196
                                   MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                   MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                   MFA No. 5488 of 2021


   PRESENTLY R/O KYATHANAHALLI VILLAGE,
   HALLIMYSORE HOBLI,
   HOLENARASIPURA TALUK,
   HASSAN DISTRICT-573 201.
                                           ...APPELLANTS
(BY SMT. SHARADAMBA A R., ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
MYSURU RURAL DIVISION,
BANNIMANTAPA, HANUMANTHANAGARA,
MYSURU
R/BY DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER, KSRTC,
HASSAN DIVISION,
HASSAN-573 201.
                                          ...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. S. RAJASHEKAR, ADVOCATE)

     THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT AGAINST THE
JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 28.02.2019 PASSED IN MVC
NO. 1959/2017 ON THE FILE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE
AND J.M.F.C., M.A.C.T., HOLENARASIPURA, PARTLY ALLOWING
THE CLAIM PETITION FOR COMPENSATION AND SEEKING
ENHANCEMENT OF COMPENSATION.

IN MFA No.333 OF 2020
BETWEEN:


THE K.S.R.T.C.
CENTRAL HEAD OFFICE
K H ROAD, DOUBLE ROAD
SHANTHINAGAR,
BENGALURU-560027
REP. BY CHIEF LAW OFFICER
BY THE DIVISION CONTROLLER, MYSURU.
                                           ...APPELLANT
(BY SRI. RAJASHEKAR S., ADVOCATE)
                              -3-
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                                      MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                   C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                      MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                      MFA No. 5488 of 2021


AND:

1.     INDUMATHI
       W/O LATE RAMESH
       AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS

2.     KISHORE
       S/O LATE RAMESH
       AGED ABOUT 22 YEARS

3.     SAGAR
       S/O LATE RAMESH
       AGED ABOUT 19 YEARS

4.     SEETHAMMA
       W/O JAVAREGOWDA
       AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS

5.     JAVAREGOWDA
       S/O LATE KULLEGOWDA
       AGED ABOUT 60 YEARS

       ALL ARE R/O KALAMMANAKOPPALU VILLAGE
       DALIGRAMA HOBLI
       K R NAGAR TALUK
       MYSORE DISTRICT-570001

       PRESENT R/O HALLIMYSORE VILLAGE AND HOBLI
       HOLENARASIPURA TALUK
       HASSAN DISTRICT-573211
                                         ....RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI. SRIDHARA V R, ADVOCATE FOR R1 TO R3 & R5)

     THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT AGAINST THE
JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 28.02.2019 PASSED IN MVC
NO.1958/2017 ON THE FILE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND
JMFC, HOLENARASIPURA, AWARDING COMPENSATION OF
RS.10,78,000/- WITH INTEREST AT 9 PERCENT P.A. FROM THE
DATE OF PETITION TILL THE DATE OF DEPOSIT.
                             -4-
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                                     MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                  C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 5488 of 2021


IN MFA No.1829 OF 2020
BETWEEN:

THE DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
MYSURU RURAL DIVISION
BANNIMANTAPA
HANUMANTHNAGAR, MYSUU

THEKSRTC
CENTRAL HEAD OFFICE
K H ROAD, DOUBLE ROAD,
SHANTHINAGAR
BENGALURU-560027
REP. BY CHIEF LAW OFFICER
                                             ...APPELLANT
(BY SRI. RAJASHEKAR S, ADVOCATE)

AND

1.    DRAKSHAYINI
      AGED ABOUT 40 YEARS,
      W/O LATE CHIKKANNA C @ CHIKKEGOWDA

2.    MANJUNATHA C
      AGED ABOUT 21 YEARS
      S/O LATE CHIKKANNA C @ CHIKKEGOWDA

3.    C ANJU
      AGED ABOUT 18 YEARS
      D/O LATE CHIKKANNA C @ CHIKKEGOWDA

4.    DODDAMMA
      AGED ABOUT 62 YEARS
      W/O LATE CHIKKEGOWDA

      ALL ARE R/O NO.632
      HOOTAGALLI
      HUNSUR ROAD
      MYSURU-577101
                           -5-
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                                      MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                   C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                      MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                      MFA No. 5488 of 2021


     PRESENTLY R/O KYATHANAHALLI VILLAGE,
     HALLIMYSORE HOBLI
     HOLENARASIPURA TALUK
     HASSAN DISTRICT-573211
                                       ....RESPONDENTS

(BY SMT. SHARADAMBA A R, ADVOCATE FOR R1 TO R4)

     THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT AGAINST THE
JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED.28.02.2019, PASSED IN MVC
NO.1959/2017, ON THE FILE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE
AND JMFC., AND MACT, HOLENARASIPURA, AWARDING
COMPENSATION OF RS.10,78,000/- WITH INTEREST AT THE
RATE OF 9 PERCENT P.A., FROM THE DATE OF PETITION, TILL
THE DATE OF DEPOSIT.


IN MFA No.5488 OF 2021
BETWEEN:

1.    INDUMATHI
      W/O LATE RAMESH, 39 YEARS,

2.    KISHORE
      S/O LATE RAMESH, 23 YEARS,

3.    SAGAR
      S/O LATE RAMESH,
      AGED 20 YEARS,

4.    SEETHAMMA                        deleted vide order
      W/O JAVARAREGOWDA                 dtd.14.12.2023
      60 YEARS,

5.    JAVARAGOWDA
      S/O LATE KULLEGOWDA,
      63 YEARS,

      ALL ARE R/AT KALAMMANAKOPPALU VILLAGE,
      SALIGRAMA HOBLI, K.R.NAGARA TALUK,
                            -6-
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                                     MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                  C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 5488 of 2021


      MYSORE DISTRICT.
      PRESENTLY R/O HALLYMYSORE VILLAGE AND HOBLI,
      HOLENARASIPURA TALUK,
      HASSAN DISTRICT-573 201.
                                         ...APPELLANTS
(BY SMT. SHARADAMBA A R, ADVOCATE)

AND:

THE DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER
MYSURU RURAL DIVISION, BANNIMANTAPA
HANUMANTHANAGARA, MYSURU
R/BY DIVISIONAL CONTROLLER, KSRTC,
HASSAN DIVISION, HASSAN-573 201
                                            ...RESPONDENT
(BY SRI. S. RAJASHEKAR, ADVOCATE )

      THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT AGAINST THE
JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 28.02.2019 PASSED IN MVC
NO. 1958/2017 ON THE FILE OF THE SENIOR CIVIL JUDGE AND
J.M.F.C., M.A.C.T, HOLENARASIPURA, PARTLY ALLOWING THE
CLAIM PETITION FOR COMPENSATION AND SEEKING
ENHANCEMENT OF COMPENSATION.

     THESE APPEALS, COMING ON FOR ORDERS, THIS DAY,
THE COURT DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:


                  COMMON JUDGMENT

       These appeals are preferred by the claimants and

Corporation (KSRTC) challenging the judgment and award

dated 28.02.2019 passed by the Senior Civil Judge, MACT,

Holenarasipura     (for   short    'the   Tribunal')    in

MVC.Nos.1958/2017 and 1959/2017.
                              -7-
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                                    C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                       MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                       MFA No. 5488 of 2021




     2.    The   claimants   have   preferred   two   appeals

seeking enhancement of compensation being dissatisfied

with the meager amount of compensation awarded by the

Tribunal, whereas the Corporation has preferred two

appeals to set aside the judgment and award passed by

the Tribunal in both the cases i.e., MVC Nos.1958/2017

and 1959/2017.


     3.    Parties to the appeals shall be referred to as per

their status before the Tribunal.


     4.    Brief facts of the case are as under:

     On 23.05.2017 at 3.45 p.m, one person by name

Ramesh along with another person by name Chikkanna @

Chikkegowda were traveling on a motor bike bearing

Registration No.KA-09-EE-1489 in front of Renukacharya

School at Karpooravalli village, K.R.Nagar Taluk. At that

time, the bike was ridden by Ramesh and the pillion rider

was Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda, when they reached in

front of the school mentioned above, a KSRTC bus bearing
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                                  C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                     MFA No. 5488 of 2021


No.KA-09-F-3255 driven by it's driver in a rash and

negligent manner, came from opposite side with high

speed and dashed against the bike ridden by the rider

Ramesh.   Due to the impact of the collision between the

bus and the motor bike, the rider Ramesh and pillion rider

Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda fell down from the bike and

sustained severe grievous injuries.     Ramesh sustained

grievous injuries to his forehead, near the right eye, upper

lip, right leg, left shoulder, head and other parts of the

body. Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda also sustained grievous

injuries to his forehead, left leg, right elbow, eyes, nose,

mouth, head and other parts of the body.          Both the

persons rider as well as pillion rider while being taken to

the Government hospital succumbed to the injuries.


     5.   The legal representatives of the rider Ramesh

filed a claim petition in MVC No.1958/2017 claiming

compensation and legal representatives of Chikkanna @

Chikkegowda filed a claim petition in MVC No.1959/2017

claiming compensation.
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                                         C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                            MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                            MFA No. 5488 of 2021


       6.     It is the case of the claimants in both the cases

that    the    deceased     Ramesh     was   an      agriculturist    by

profession,     he   was    doing     agricultural    activities     and

earning income of Rs.15,000/- p.m.                 He was the sole

bread winner of the family and maintaining his family on

the income earned by him.           In the case of Chikkanna @

Chikkegowda, claimants pleaded that he was a driver by

profession working as a lorry driver and was earning

Rs.20,000/- p.m and he was the sole bread winner and

taking care of the livelihood of himself and his family. In

both the cases, the claimants pleaded that they spent

about       Rs.1,00,000/-    towards     funeral     and   obsequies

ceremonies and the accident occurred due to rash and

negligent driving of the driver of the bus and hence, they

are entitle to compensation.


       7.     On issuance of notice, the respondent appeared

before the Court and filed detailed statement of objections

contending that the claim petition is not maintainable and

pleaded that the accident was not caused due to the
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                                      C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                         MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                         MFA No. 5488 of 2021


negligence or fault of the bus driver and compensation

claimed by the claimants was excessive in collusion with

the police authorities and the doctor.       It was also pleaded

that the rider of the motor bike was not possessing a valid

and effective driving license as on the date of occurrence

of the accident.    It was also pleaded that the accident

occurred due to the negligence and rashness of the rider

of the motor bike rather than that of the bus driver.

Accordingly, pleaded that there was no liability on behalf

of Corporation (KSRTC) and sought for dismissal of the

claim petition.


     8.    On the basis of the pleadings, the Tribunal

framed relevant issues for consideration which are as

under:

                   Issues in MVC 1958/2017

           1. Whether the petitioners prove that, the
              deceased Ramesha sustained injuries and
              died in an accident, which was occurred on
              23.05.2017   at    about      3.45   p.m.   near
              Renukacharya        School,      Karpooravalli,
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                                       C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                          MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                          MFA No. 5488 of 2021


              K.R.Nagar Taluk, due to rash and negligent
              driving by the driver of the KSRTC bus
              bearing No.KA-09-3255?
         2. Whether the petitioners are entitled for
              compensation? If so, at what quantum and
              from whom?
         3. What Order or Award?


                Issues in MVC No.1959/2017

         1.    Whether the petitioners prove that, the
               deceased Chikkanna.C @ Chikkegowda
               sustained injuries and died in an accident,
               which was occurred on 23.05.2017 at
               about   3.45    p.m,    near   Renukacharya
               School, Karpooravalli, K.R.Nagar taluk,
               due to rash and negligent driving by the
               driver of the KSRTC bus bearing No.KA-
               09-F-3255?
         2.    Whether the petitioners are entitled for
               compensation? If so, at what quantum
               and from whom?
         3.     What Order or Award?


    9.   In order to substantiate the issues and prove

the cases, three witnesses were examined and common

evidence recorded in both the cases namely, PW.1 being
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                                        MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                        MFA No. 5488 of 2021


the wife of deceased Ramesh in the case of MVC

No.1958/2017. PW.2 namely Smt. Drakshayini wife of Late

Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda and one Sri. Palaksha, who

was examined as an eye witness to the accident and 25

documents came to be marked as Exs.P.1 to 25 in support

of the claimants.   Whereas the driver of the KSRTC bus

was examined as RW.1 and conductor of the KSRTC bus

was examined as RW.2 and 16 documents came to be

marked on behalf of the respondents as Exs.R.1 to 16.


     10.   Based on the material evidence both oral and

documentary, the tribunal has awarded compensation of

Rs.10,78,000/- in MVC No.1958/2017 and Rs.10,78,000/-

in MVC No.1959/2017 along with interest at the rate of

9% p.a., from the date of petition till the date of deposit.

The liability in both the claim petitions was fixed on the

respondent-Corporation and it was directed to deposit the

compensation within 30 days from the date of award and

other conditions were imposed by the Tribunal.
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                                    C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                       MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                       MFA No. 5488 of 2021


     11.   It is the vehement contention of the learned

counsel for the claimants that in both the cases the

Tribunal has committed an error in awarding meager

compensation and has not taken into consideration the

income of the deceased in both the cases and thereby

while awarding compensation there is miscarriage of

justice. It is further contended that Tribunal has erred in

not awarding suitable compensation under the head of

consortium, so also under the conventional heads. She

further contends that the Tribunal has committed an error

in not including the future prospects while computing the

compensation and thereby severe injustice has caused to

the claimants. It is also contended that on the whole, the

Tribunal has erred in passing arbitrary award which

requires suitable enhancement in the interest of justice

and to give justice to the claimants who are the legal

representatives of the deceased.


     12.   Per contra, learned counsel representing the

Corporation vehemently contends that the compensation
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                                        MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                        MFA No. 5488 of 2021


awarded by the Tribunal is on the higher side contrary to

the material evidence placed on record both the oral and

documentary, he contends that the Tribunal has failed to

take into note the contributory negligence on the part of

the deceased in both the cases as they were traveling in a

high   speed.   The   Tribunal   also   failed    to   take   into

consideration that the smoke emanating from the nearby

location of the accident which caused the driver of the bus

to stop the bus and the two wheeler ridden by the

deceased with pillion rider came and dashed against the

bus thereby if not the entire negligence, contributory

negligence requires to be fastened against the rider and

pillion rider of the motor bike. It is also contended that

photographs and sketch produced before the Court clearly

depict that the accident occurred in the middle of the road.

Photographs marked at Ex.R.10 to 13 and Spot sketch

marked at Ex.P.6 go to show that there is no fault on

behalf of the driver of the bus.        Therefore, the entire

negligence and liability cannot be fastened on the driver of
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                                      C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                         MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                         MFA No. 5488 of 2021


the   bus   thereby   implicating     the   insurance   company

consequently. Hence, he seeks to set aside the judgment

and award passed by the Tribunal in both the cases.


      13.   Having heard the learned counsel for both the

parties and having perused the impugned judgment of the

tribunal, having looked at the original records, it is not in

dispute that the accident occurred on 23.05.2017 at

around 3.45 p.m, when the rider of the motor bike met

with the accident by head on collision with the KSRTC bus

in which Ramesh being the rider of the bike and Chikkanna

@ Chikkegowda being the pillion rider sustained grievous

injuries and died on the way to the hospital.               The

occurrence of the accident and involvement of these two

motor vehicles is not in dispute, so also death having been

occurred as a result of the accident on the way to the

hospital is also not in dispute.


      14.   To substantiate this aspect of occurrence of

accident, Ex.P.1 to 9 are produced in both the cases which
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                                         MFA No. 5488 of 2021


are the police records wherein the complaint is registered

and FIR is filed and after investigation, charge sheet is

filed against the driver of the bus.       The Post mortem

report, spot sketch, seizure mahazar also been produced

as police records.    Hence, there is no dispute that the

accident occurred on the relevant date involving these two

vehicles leading to the death of both the rider and the

pillion rider.   The other documents are produced at

Ex.P.10 to 25, such as the Geneological tree, RTC extract,

PM report, inquest mahazar, Driving license extract. The

lodging of FIR and charge sheet has not been questioned

or challenged by the driver of the bus.            Therefore,

occurrence of the accident is established.        The charge

sheet having been filed against the driver of the bus which

is not questioned also establishes that the negligence on

behalf of the driver of the bus.


     15.   Now coming to the aspect of age, avocation,

income and compensation to be arrived, no documents are

produced by the claimants to show the proof of income.
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                                          MFA No. 5488 of 2021


Though in the case of deceased Ramesh, it is stated that

he was doing agricultural work and no material proof is

placed on record to show any proof of income. Even in the

case of Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda, it is stated that he was

working as a lorry driver earning Rs.20,000/- p.m. Apart

from producing driving license nothing has been placed on

record regarding proof of his income. The Tribunal in view

of lack of any material record has taken the average

income of both the deceased at Rs.8,000/- p.m. as per the

Legal Services Authority chart and notional income for the

accident year 2017 prescribed at Rs.11,000/- p.m.            In

case there is no proof of income as a standard measure,

the legal services authority chart and notional income is

taken for consideration.


     16.   Accordingly,    in    the     present   case    also

Rs.11,000/- is taken as income for both the deceased

persons for calculation. In the case of deceased Ramesh,

he was aged about 42 years and in the case of Chikkanna

@ Chikkegowda is aged about 44 years, the appropriate
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multiplier in both the cases fall within a range of 41 to 45.

The multiplier would be '14' as per the judgment of the

Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of SARLA VERMA (SMT) AND

OTHERS   VS.   DELHI TRANSPORT CORPORATION      AND   ANOTHER


REPORTED IN (2009) 6 SUPREME COURT CASES 121, which has


rightly taken by the Tribunal same is not interfered.



     17.   In view of the fact that the deceased in both the

cases aged 42 and 44 years. The future prospects would

have to be added to the income at 25% as per the

judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of

National Insurance Company Limited vs. Pranay Sethi

and others reported in (2017) 16 Supreme Court Cases

680, which has not been considered by the Tribunal. In

both the cases, there are 4 dependants of the deceased.

In the case of deceased Ramesh, his mother having died

pursuant to the disposal of the claim petition. Hence, 4

dependants remain who are financially dependant on him.

In the case of Chikkanna @ Chikkegowda also there are 4

dependants. Accordingly, 1/4th would have to be deducted
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from the income towards personal expenses of the

deceased and in view of the above, the loss of dependency

in   both   the   cases   would      be    Rs.11,000   +     25%

= Rs.13,715 X 1/4 = Rs.10,312/- which would be income

of the deceased for calculation.          Therefore, the loss of

dependency        would   be         Rs.10,312X     12X      14=

Rs.17,32,416/-.


      18.   The Tribunal has awarded Rs.40,000/- towards

loss of consortium and Rs.50,000/- towards loss of love

and affection, in all amounting to Rs.90,000/-. I am in

agreement with the learned counsel for the claimants that

the Tribunal has committed an error in awarding less

consortium to an extent of only Rs.90,000/-.               As the

consortium requires to be awarded at Rs.40,000/- per

person in both the cases and there being 4 dependants in

both the cases Rs.40,000X 4 would be Rs.1,60,000/- and

additional amount of 10% as escalation towards one block

period is contemplated in the case of PRANAY SETHI

(supra) would have to be awarded which would be
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Rs.1,60,000 X 10% = Rs.16,000/- whereas the Tribunal

has awarded Rs.90,000/- in both the cases. This Court is

of the opinion that Rs.1,60,000+ 16,000 = 1,76,000/-

requires to be awarded under the head of loss of

consortium.


     19.   The Tribunal has awarded Rs.15,000/- towards

loss of estate and Rs.15,000/- towards funeral, obsequies

expenses and transportation of dead body, which does not

call for interference.   However, Rs.30,000/- awarded

under the conventional head also requires 10% escalation

towards one block period of 3 years, in all making it

Rs.33,000/-.


     20.   In view of the above discussion, the claimants

in both the cases would be entitled to compensation of

Rs.19,41,416/- as against Rs.11,28,000/- awarded by the

Tribunal as mentioned in the table below:
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              Heads                            Amount in Rs.

Towards loss of dependency                          17,32,416-00

Towards loss of consortium                           1,60,000-00

10% of consortium                                        16,000-00

Towards loss of love and affection                       50,000-00
to the petitioners

Towards loss of estate                                   15,000-00

Towards    funeral,  obsequies                           15,000-00
expenses and transportation of
dead body

10% on conventional heads                                 3,000-00

              TOTAL                                19,41,416-00



     21. The Tribunal has awarded interest at the rate of

9% per annum from the date of petition till the date of

deposit.   Learned counsel for the Insurance Company

vehemently    contends       that       the   interest   awarded     is

exhorbitant and the same is not contemplated in the Motor

Vehicles Act or the Rules and hence he seeks for reduction

of interest rate.        Accepting the contention of learned

counsel for the Insurance Company, I deem it appropriate
                                - 22 -
                                                  NC: 2024:KHC:196
                                           MFA No. 6583 of 2021
                                        C/W MFA No. 333 of 2020
                                           MFA No. 1829 of 2020
                                           MFA No. 5488 of 2021


to lower down the interest rate from 9% to 6% per

annum.

         22. Accordingly, I pass the following:

                             ORDER

i) The appeals preferred by the Corporation in both

appeals are rejected and the appeals preferred by

the claimants are allowed in part;

ii) The claimant is entitled for total compensation of

Rs.19,41,416/- as against Rs.11,28,000/-

awarded by the tribunal;

iii) The interest awarded by the tribunal is reduced

from 9% to 6% per annum.

iv) All other terms and conditions stipulated by

tribunal shall stand intact;

v) The balance amount of compensation shall carry

interest @ 6% which shall be deposited within 8

weeks from the date of receipt of copy of this

order; and

- 23 -

NC: 2024:KHC:196

vi) The amount deposited before this Court shall be

transmitted to the jurisdictional tribunal forthwith

and the amount shall be disbursed upon proper

verification to the respective parties.

Sd/-

JUDGE

SKS/CPN

 
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