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Sri Naveen Lakshmipathy Tekka vs Cholamandalam Ms
2024 Latest Caselaw 25464 Kant

Citation : 2024 Latest Caselaw 25464 Kant
Judgement Date : 25 October, 2024

Karnataka High Court

Sri Naveen Lakshmipathy Tekka vs Cholamandalam Ms on 25 October, 2024

                                                     -1-
                                                               NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB
                                                               MFA No. 3695 of 2023
                                                           C/W MFA No. 5268 of 2023



                             IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

                                DATED THIS THE 25TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2024

                                                   PRESENT
                                 THE HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.MUDAGAL
                                                     AND
                                THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T
                           MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO.3695 OF 2023 (MV-D)
                                                    C/W
                           MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO.5268 OF 2023 (MV-D)


                      IN MFA NO.3695/2023:

                      BETWEEN:

                      1.    SRI NAVEEN LAKSHMIPATHY TEKKA
                            S/O. LAKSHMIPATHY T. K.
                            AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS

                      2.    KUM. SHUBHI N.
                            D/O. NAVEEN LAKSHMIPATHY TEKKA
                            AGED ABOUT 5 YEARS

                            SINCE APPELLANT NO.2 IS MINOR
                            REPRESENTED BY HER NATURAL GUARDIAN
Digitally signed by
MOUNESHWARAPPA              FATHER: SRI NAVEEN LAKSHMIPATHY TEKKA
NAGARATHNA
Location: HIGH
COURT OF
KARNATAKA
                      3.    LAKSHMIPATHY T. K.
                            S/O. LATE KRISHNAIAH
                            AGED ABOUT 72 YEARS

                            ALL ARE RESIDING AT
                            NO.475, 6TH MAIN
                            3RD BLOCK, 3RD STAGE
                            BASAVESHWARANAGAR
                            BENGALURU-560 079.
                                                                        ...APPELLANTS
                      (BY SRI VASANTH KUMAR H. T., ADVOCATE)
                              -2-
                                         NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB
                                       MFA No. 3695 of 2023
                                   C/W MFA No. 5268 of 2023



AND:

1.   CHOLAMANDALAM MS
     MS GENERAL INSURANCE CO. LTD.
     UNIT #04, 9TH FLOOR(LEVEL-06),
     'GOLDEN HEIGHTS' COMPLEX
     59TH 'C' CROSS, INDUSTRIAL SUBURB
     RAJAJINAGAR 4TH 'M' BLOCK
     BENGALURU-560 010.

2.   APARNA ENTERPRISES LTD.
     SY. NO.99/2 KADIGANAHALLI VILLAGE
     JALA HOBLI, BENGALURU NORTH TALUK
     BENGALURU-560 001.

     AMENDMENT CARRIED OUT AS PER
     COURT ORDER DATED 26/7/2023
                                                ...RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI B. PRADEEP, ADVOCATE FOR R-1;
    VIDE ORDER DATED 26/7/2023, NOTICE TO R-2
    IS DISPENSED WITH)

     THIS MFA IS FILED UNDER SECTION 173(1) OF MV ACT
AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 06.03.2023 PASSED
IN MVC NO.760/2020 ON THE FILE OF THE MEMBER, MACT, XVIII
ADDITIONAL JUDGE, COURT OF SMALL CAUSES, BENGALURU CITY
(SCCH-4), PARTLY ALLOWING THE CLAIM PETITION FOR
COMPENSATION AND SEEKING ENHANCEMENT OF COMPENSATION.


IN MFA NO.5268/2023:

BETWEEN:

     THE MANAGER
     CHOLAMANDALAM M S GIC LTD.
     UNIT NO.4, 9TH FLOOR
     'GOLDEN HEIGHTS' COMPLEX
     59TH 'C' CROSS, INDUSTRIAL SUBURB
     4TH 'M' BLOCK, RAJAJINAGAR
     BENGALURU-560 010.
                                               ...APPELLANT

(BY SRI PRADEEP B., ADVOCATE)
                               -3-
                                        NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB
                                        MFA No. 3695 of 2023
                                    C/W MFA No. 5268 of 2023



AND:

1.   NAVEEN LAKSMIPATHY TEKKA
     S/O. LAKSMIPATHY T. K.
     AGED ABOUT 39 YEARS.

2.   KUM. SHUBHI N.
     D/O. NAVEEN LAKSMIPATHY TEKKA
     AGED ABOUT 4 YEARS

     SINCE RESPONDENT NO.2 IS MINOR
     REPRESENTED BY HER N/G AND FATHER
     SRI NAVEEN LAKSHMIPATHY TEKKA.

3.   LAKSHMIPATHY T. K.
     S/O. LATE KRISHNAIAH
     AGED ABOUT 73 YEARS

     RESPONDENT NOS.1 TO 3
     R/AT NO. 475, 6TH MAIN
     3RD BLOCK, 3RD STAGE
     BASAVESHWARANAGAR
     BENGALURU - 560 079.

4.   APARNA ENERPRISES LTD.
     SY.NO. 99/2, KADIGANAHALLI VILLAGE
     JALAHOBLI, BENGALURU NORTH TALUK
     BENGALURU-560 001
     (EXPARTE)
                                           ...RESPONDENTS

(BY SRI VASANTH KUMAR H. T., ADVOCATE FOR R-1 TO R-3;
    VIDE ORDER DATED 14/08/2024, NOTICE TO R-4 IS
    DISPENSED WITH)

    THIS MFA IS FILED UNDER SECTION 173(1) OF MV ACT,
AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 06.03.2023
PASSED IN MVC NO.760/2020 ON THE FILE OF THE XVIII
ADDITIONAL JUDGE, COURT OF SMALL CAUSES, MEMBER,
MACT,     BENGALURU     CITY,    (SCCH-4),     AWARDING
COMPENSATION OF RS.70,13,300/- WITH INTEREST AT
6% P.A. FROM THE DATE OF PETITION TILL THE REALIZATION.
                                -4-
                                          NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB
                                          MFA No. 3695 of 2023
                                      C/W MFA No. 5268 of 2023



      THESE APPEALS, HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED ON
18.09.2024 COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT OF JUDGMENT THIS
DAY, VENKATESH NAIK T., J, PRONOUNCED THE FOLLOWING:

CORAM:      HON'BLE MRS JUSTICE K.S.MUDAGAL
            and
            HON'BLE MR JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T


                         CAV JUDGMENT

(PER: HON'BLE MR JUSTICE VENKATESH NAIK T)

These appeals arise out of the award dated 06.03.2023 in

MVC No.760/2020 passed by the XVIII Additional Small Causes

Judge and Motor Vehicles Claims Tribunal, Bengaluru.

MFA No.3695/2023 is filed by the claimants seeking

enhancement of the compensation awarded by the Tribunal.

MFA No.5268/2023 is filed by the insurer of the offending

vehicle, questioning the negligence and quantum of

compensation awarded.

The appellants in MFA No.3695/2023 are claimant Nos.1,

2 and 3, respondent Nos.1 and 2 in the said appeal were

respondent Nos.1 and 2 in MVC No.760/2020. For the purpose

of convenience, the parties are referred to henceforth according

to their ranks before the Tribunal.

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

2. Claimant No.1 is husband and claimant No.2 is minor

daughter of deceased Khushboo Malik, aged one year as on the

date of filing the claim petition. Claimant No.3 is the father of

claimant No.1.

3. On 14.12.2019, at about 8.55 p.m., claimant No.1 and

Khushboo Malik were proceeding on motor cycle bearing

registration No.KA-02-JS-1398. Claimant No.1 was rider and

Khusboo Malik was pillion rider. When they were proceeding on

Bengaluru Bellary road (Hebbala Fly over) from Manyatha Tech

park towards Basaveshwaranagar, at that time, the driver of

Truck bearing registration No. KA-01-AD-2073 came from hind

side and dashed to the motor cycle. Due to the said impact,

Khushboo Malik and claimant No.1 fell down, claimant No.1

sustained simple injuries. Khushboo Malik suffered severe

injuries all over the body. Immediately, she was shifted to

Aster CMI hospital, Hebbala and she was declared brought

dead. Her dead body was shifted to MSR Hospital for post

mortem examination.

4. On the basis of complaint of claimant No.1 as per

Ex-P1, SHO of Hebbala Traffic police registered FIR in

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Cr.No.152/2019 for the offences punishable under Sections 279

and 304A of IPC. On investigation, the police filed charge sheet

as per Ex.P3 against the driver of the Truck, for the offences

punishable under Sections 279 and 304A of IPC. At the relevant

time, respondent Nos.1 and 2 were the registered owner and

insurer respectively of the said Truck.

5. Claimants filed MVC No.760/2020 under Section 166 of

the MV Act claiming compensation of two crores alleging that

the accident and consequential death of Khushboo Malik

occurred due to actionable negligence of the driver of the Truck

and they were dependent on her income. They claimed that

respondent No.1 being the owner of offending vehicle and

respondent No.2 being the insurer are liable to pay the

compensation.

6. Respondent No.2, the insurer contested the matter

denying the occurrence of the accident, the involvement of the

offending vehicle in the accident, age, occupation, income of

the deceased and dependency of the claimants on the

deceased. Respondent No.2-Insurer denied its liability to

indemnify the damages. The insurer contended that claimant

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

No.1 was solely responsible for the accident due to his

negligence.

7. The Tribunal relying on the evidence of PWs.1 to 4 and

Exs.P1 to P26 and evidence of RW.1 held that, claimants were

dependant on the deceased. The Tribunal notionally considered

the income of the deceased at Rs.72,750/- per month and

added 40% to the same by way of future prospectus and

deducted 1/3rd towards personal expenses of the deceased. The

Tribunal applied '17' multiplier and awarded compensation of

Rs.98,94,000/- under the head of 'loss of dependency'.

8. The Tribunal in all awarded compensation of

Rs.1,40,26,600/- under different heads as per the table below:

Sl.No.            Particulars                Compensation
                                             awarded in Rs.
1.        Loss of dependency                    98,94,000
2.        Loss of future prospectus            39,57,600
3.        Loss of consortium                       80,000
4.        Loss of love and affection               75,000
5.        Funeral expenses                         15,000
6.        Transportation of dead body               5,000
                    TOTAL                    1,40,26,600/-


The Tribunal further held that respondent No.2-Insurer is

liable to pay compensation to the claimants. The Tribunal fixed

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

50% contributory negligence on the driver of Truck and 50% on

the rider of motor cycle. Accordingly, the Tribunal observed

that, the claimants are entitled for compensation to the

quantum of 50% which comes to

(Rs.1,40,26,600/- - Rs.70,13,300/-) =Rs.70,13,300/- with

interest at 6% per annum.

Submissions of Sri H.T. Vasanth Kumar, learned counsel for claimants:

9. Tribunal failed to appreciate Ex-P4 sketch and Ex-P5

spot mahazar. The said spot mahazar and sketch, show that

the driver of the Truck was rash and negligent in high speed hit

the motor cycle of claimant No.1 from backside and caused the

death of victim. There was no contributory negligence on the

part of claimant No.1. But, the Tribunal wrongly came to the

conclusion that the rider of the motor cycle viz., claimant No.1

had contributed 50% negligence in the said accident. The

Investigating Officer filed charge sheet against the driver of the

Truck and no charge sheet was filed against the rider of the

motor cycle imputing contributing negligence. Therefore, the

impugned judgment and award is without application of mind.

Insurer failed to prove 50% contributory negligence on the part

of claimant No.1 by adducing any evidence. Finding of Tribunal

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

on the issue negligence on the part of the rider of the motor

cycle is erroneous. Deceased Khushboo Malik had completed

her B.Tech and B.Ed, working as a Teacher at National Public

School and drawing a salary of Rs.45,000/-. She was also

working as Insurance agent and drawing a salary of

Rs.1,05,000/- per month. PW.3, the Administrative Officer of

National Public School, deposed that the deceased was drawing

a salary of Rs.36,500/- per month. The deceased was highly

qualified, engaged in various occupations yielding income.

Without appreciating such fact and evidence on record, Tribunal

considered her income as Rs.72,750/- only, which is erroneous.

The compensation awarded on other heads is very low.

Compensation as claimed be awarded.

Submissions of Sri. B. Pradeep, learned counsel for Insurance company:

10. Tribunal committed error in fixing 50% negligence

against the driver of the Truck as claimant No.1 was solely

responsible for the alleged accident. As per Ex-P5 sketch and

police records, it is the rider of the motor cycle, who entered

the main road without observing the vehicles thereby caused

accident. Tribunal ought to have fixed entire negligence on the

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

rider of the motor cycle. Tribunal committed error in taking the

income of the deceased at Rs.72,750/- per month without there

being any cogent and convincing evidence. The claimants have

contended that the victim was working as a Teacher at National

Public School and was earning Rs.36,500/- per month. But,

during the course of examination of PW-3-Administrative

Officer of National Public School, he has admitted that deceased

Khushboo Malik had left the job prior to the accident. PW.4,

who is HR Administrative Officer, Blitz Spark Business

Outsource Private Limited, has admitted in the cross

examination that he is a Sales Executive and not HR Admin.

Further, the pay slip pertaining to deceased Khushboo Malik

produced by PW.1 does not reflect ESI, PF, PAN number,

Income Tax employment number, date of appointment,

professional tax and Account number etc. Such pay slip has

been concocted for the purpose of higher compensation.

Tribunal has committed error in assessing the income of the

deceased at Rs.72,750/- and the same needs interference of

this Court. The Tribunal committed error in granting interest on

future prospects of 40%. Claimants are not entitled for any

interest on the future prospects amount.

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

11. On hearing submissions of both side and on perusal

of the material on record, the following questions arise for our

consideration:

(1) Whether the finding of the Tribunal that the accident between truck bearing No.KA-01-AD-

2073 and motor cycle bearing No.KA-02-JS- 1398 occurred due to contributory negligence of the driver and rider of the vehicles, is sustainable?

(2) Whether the compensation awarded by the Tribunal to the claimants is just one?

ANALYSIS

12. The initial burden of proving the fact, that on

14.12.2019 at 8:55 p.m., when claimant No.1 and victim were

proceeding on Bengaluru-Ballary Road, Hebbal Flyover, the

driver of the Truck due to his actionable negligence hit the

motorcycle and caused death of the victim, is on the claimants.

13. To discharge the said burden, PW.1 i.e., claimant

No.1, the husband of deceased got examined himself as PW.1.

In his evidence, he has reiterated the contents of claim

petition. He relied on Exs.P1 to P7 i.e., copies of complaint,

FIR, charge sheet, spot mahazar with sketch, Inquest report

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

and post mortem report respectively. Under Ex.P3 charge

sheet, the driver of the Truck was charge sheeted for the

offences punishable under Sections 279 and 304A of IPC. As

per Ex-P4 spot mahazar, the Truck bearing registration

No.KA-01-AD-2073 hit the motor cycle from hind side. Exs.P.3

to P6 fortify the evidence of PW.1 that the Truck was involved

in the accident and that deceased Khusbhoo Malik was a pillion

rider in the said motor cycle, who succumbed due to the road

traffic accident. As per the opinion of the Doctor mentioned in

Ex.P7-PM report, the cause of death of deceased Khushboo

Malik was due to crush injury to the head and chest. PW.1 was

cross examined, but, nothing more was disputed with regard to

death of Khushboo Malik in the road traffic accident. The

respondents have not challenged the contents of the charge

sheet.

14. Per-contra, RW.1-Deputy Manager-Claims Legal,

Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Company Limited

deposed that claimant No.1 who was rider of the motor cycle

with pillion rider Khushboo Malik himself rode the said motor

cycle in rash and negligent manner, suddenly entered Bellary

main road (Hebbala flyover) and dashed against the Truck,

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

which was proceeding slowly, he was solely responsible for

accident. As per IMV report-Ex.P8, the front right side indicator

of motor cycle was damaged and scratch mark was found on

the right side crash guard.

15. Ex.P4, the sketch shows that the spot of the accident

was on extreme left side of the road. As per the case of the

prosecution, the Truck was coming from Airport road and the

motor cycle of claimant No.1 was coming from Manyatha Tech

Park. As per the complaint, sketch and spot mahazar, there

was sufficient space for movement of vehicles on the left side

of the road. The motor cycle was on extreme left side of the

road. The driver of the Truck ought to have proceeded in his

lane, but, he took his Truck towards extreme left side as can be

seen in the sketch. As per Ex.P8-IMV report, there is no

damage caused to the offending vehicle i.e., Truck bearing

registration No.KA-01-AD-2073. It shows that claimant No.1

rider of motor cycle had not dashed to the Truck. But perusal of

oral and documentary evidence on record shows that the driver

of the truck came from hindside and dashed against the

deceased who was a pillion rider. The Tribunal did not discuss

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

how claimant No.1/rider of the motor cycle contributed

negligence to the accident.

16. In the light of above evidence, the Tribunal was not

justified in holding that claimant No.1 has contributed 50%

negligence in the occurrence of the accident. Hence, fastening

of 50% contributory negligence to the rider of the motor cycle

is liable to be set-aside.

17. So far as quantum of compensation is concerned, as

per the claimants, prior to the accident, the deceased was an

Engineer, she was a Teacher at National Public School and she

was drawing a salary of Rs.45,000/- and also she was working

as an Insurance agent at United India Insurance Company and

working as Business Development Associate at Blitz Spark

Business Outsources Private Limited and as such she was

drawing income of an average sum of Rs.1,05,000/- per month.

In order to substantiate the contention of the claimants,

claimant No.1 relied upon appointment letter and salary slips

said to be issued by the said employers, commission bills

receipts, which were marked at Exs.P9 to 15, 21 and 22.

Claimants got examined PW.2 Vaisakh Mohan, the

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

Administrative Officer, United India Insurance company

Limited, Bengaluru. He has stated that victim Khusuboo Malik

was appointed as Insurance agent in their Company during the

year 2019 and she was receiving commission of Rs.8,000/- per

month. Further, the claimants also examined PW.3 Kiran

Kumar, pay role Admin Officer, National Public School, who said

to have issued Ex.P25-Authorization Letter. PW.3 has stated

that victim was working as a PRT in their Institution- National

Public School and she was working as TGT from 4th June 2014

to 31st March 2018 and she was getting salary of Rs.36,500/-

per month. In the cross examination, PW.3 admitted that the

victim had left the job prior to the accident. Therefore, the

evidence of PW.2, PW.3 and Exs.P24 and P25 are not helpful to

the claimants to prove her income as on the date of her death.

18. The claimants examined PW.4-Shiva Kumar, the HR

Admin Officer, Blitz Spark Business Outsource Private Limited,

Bengaluru as PW.4, who has issued Ex.P26 Authorization letter.

PW.4 has stated that the deceased was working as Business

Development Associate at Blitz Spark Business Outsource

Private Limited, Bengaluru and she was working till her death

and was drawing salary of Rs.85,270/- per month.

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

19. PW.4 relied upon three pay slips of victim Khushboo

Malik, which are marked under Ex.P13. As per Ex.P13, for the

month of September 2019, the salary of victim Khushboo Malik

was Rs.57,760/-, as per the pay slip for the month of October

2019, salary of victim was Rs.75,820/- and as per the pay slip

for the month of November 2019, salary of victim was

Rs.85,270/-. When the victim was working as a Business

Development Associate at Blitz Spark Business Outsources

Private Limited, for full time, it is not known as to how she

could work as Insurance Agent and School Teacher also

simultaneously. The trial Court has taken into consideration

three average incomes of the victim from Blitz Spark Company

at Rs.72,750/- per month, which exclude professional tax of

Rs.200/- and finally assessed income of the victim at

Rs.72,750/- per month.

20. The claimants have furnished copy of Bank statement

from the years 2014 to 2020 of the victim. The claimants also

furnished copy of the Income Tax return acknowledgment for

the year 2018-19. As per the Income Tax return, the gross

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total income of the victim was Rs.4,23,900/- - Rs.2,500/- tax

payable on total income, thus, it comes to Rs.4,21,400/-.

21. As per the principle of law laid down by the Hon'ble

Apex Court in the case of National Insurance Company

Limited vs. Pranay Sethi & Ors. reported in (2017) 16 SCC

680, 40% of the income is to be added towards 'loss of future

prospectus in life' for the age group below 30 years and hence,

the trial court has taken 40% of notional income towards future

prospectus of the deceased, which is in accordance with the

ratio laid down in Pranay Sethi's case. Claimant No.3/Father-

in-law cannot be called as dependant as his earning son

claimant No.1 is alive. For two dependants of the deceased,

1/3rd of personal income would be deducted towards her

personal and living expenses. The deceased was aged 30 years

at the time of the accident. Therefore, the appropriate

multiplier applicable as per the judgment of the Hon'ble

Supreme Court in the case of Smt. Sarla Verma and Others

vs. Delhi Transport Corporation and another reported in

AIR 2009 SC 3104 is '17'. As per Pranay Sethi's case, 40% of

the income of the deceased is to be added towards future

prospects, which comes to Rs.5,89,960/- (Rs.4,21,400/- +

- 18 -

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

40%=Rs.1,68,560/-). 1/3rd of income of the deceased for her

'personal expenses', comes to (Rs.5,89,960 X 1/3rd)

Rs.1,96,653/-. After deduction, the amount to be contributed to

her family would be Rs.3,93,307/- per annum and the

multiplier applicable to her age group is '17'. Therefore, 'loss of

dependency' works out to Rs.66,86,219/- (3,93,307 X 17).

22. As per the judgment of the Hon'ble Apex Court in the

case of Magma General Insurance Company Ltd., vs. Nanu

Ram Alias Chuhru Ram and Others reported in (2018) 18

SCC 130 and Pranay Sethi's case, claimants No.1 and 2 are

entitled to Rs.40,000/- each under the head loss of consortium,

with 10% escalation(10% once in three years) which comes to

Rs.88,000/-(Rs.44,000 x 2).

23. In view of the ratio laid down in Pranay Sethi's case,

the claimants are entitled to a sum of Rs.16,500/- under the

head 'Funeral expenses' and Rs.16,500/- under the head

'Transportation of the dead body'.

24. Learned counsel for the claimants submits that as on

the date of the accident, deceased Khushboo Malik was

23 weeks pregnant and due to the impact of the accident,

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deceased Khushboo Malik and her foetus died, but, the tribunal

has not awarded any compensation in this regard. Hence, the

learned counsel prayed to grant suitable compensation on that

head.

25. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Shivakumar

and Ors. v. Gainda Lal and Ors. reported in AIR 2022 SC

5367 has awarded a compensation of Rs.1.00 lakh towards

'loss of foetus'.

26. In view of the ratio laid down in the decision cited supra

and the facts and circumstances of the present case, we are of

the opinion that claimant No.1 is also entitled for compensation

of Rs.1.00 lakh towards 'loss of foetus'.

27. The learned counsel for the Insurance company

contended that the claimants are not entitled for any interest

towards 'loss of future prospectus'. Admittedly, the amount

under the head 'loss of future prospectus' is yet to be received.

Award of compensation is one time procedure. If the deceased

would have been alive, she would have earned much more

amount on account of her higher position and global

opportunities.

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

28. In view of the ratio laid down by the Coordinate Bench

of this Court in the case of The Reliance General Insurance

Company Limited v. Suprith S. @ Supreeth, dead by his

LRs (MFA No.511/2020 c.w MFA.Crob.No.40/2022 dated

01.08.2024) reported in MANU/KA/2654/2024, we are of the

view that the Insurance company is liable to pay the awarded

amount including the amount awarded under the head future

prospects together with banking rate of interest which is

prevalent during relevant time and the Insurance company

cannot escape from its liability to pay interest on the future

prospectus.

29. Thus, in all, the claimants are entitled for compensation

as under:-

                   HEADS                                 Rs.
Loss of dependency                                    66,86,219.00
Loss of consortium                                       88,000.00
Funeral expenses                                         16,500.00
Transportation of dead body                              16,500.00
Loss of foetus                                         1,00,000.00
                   TOTAL                              69,07,219.00
Less: Compensation awarded by the Tribunal            70,13,300.00
          Reduced compensation                       -1,06,081.00
                                  - 21 -
                                              NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB





30. Hence, the appeal i.e., MFA No.3695/2023 (MVC

No.760/2020) filed by the claimants deserves to be allowed-in-

part. Finding of the Tribunal regarding contributory negligence

on the part of claimant No.1 is liable to be set aside. As such,

the Insurance company is liable to pay the entire compensation

to the claimants. The Tribunal held that claimant Nos.1 to 3 are

entitled for the compensation at the ratio of 50:40:10. Infact

claimant No.2 Kum. Shubi is a minor girl and claimant No.1 is

husband of deceased. Claimant No.3 is father-in-law of the

deceased. Since claimant No.3-father-in-law is not legal heir of

the deceased, it is only husband and daughter, who are entitled

for entire compensation. Claimant No.1 is entitled for

compensation at the ratio of 40% and claimant No.2- minor is

entitled for compensation at the ratio of 60% respectively. To

that extent, the entitlement of share is modified.

Accordingly, we pass the following;

ORDER

1. MFA No.3695/2023 and MFA No.5268/2023 are

partly allowed.

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NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

2. The judgment and award dated 06.03.2023 passed

by the Motor Vehicles Accident Claims Tribunal, XVIII

Addl. Judge, Court of Small Causes, Bengaluru in

MVC.No.760/2020 is modified to the extent stated

herein above.

3. The compensation awarded by the Tribunal at

Rs.70,13,300/- is reduced to Rs.69,07,219/-.

4. The Insurance company shall deposit the entire

compensation inclusive of the amount already

deposited with interest at 6% p.a. from the date of

petition till its realization. The said amount shall be

deposited within a period of four weeks from the

date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment.

5. In the impugned award so far it relates to

apportionment of compensation amongst the

claimants and the investment is maintained.

6. The amount deposited by the Insurance Company

before this Court, if any, be transmitted to the

Tribunal within three weeks.

- 23 -

NC: 2024:KHC:43205-DB

7. Draw the modified award accordingly.

8. Registry to transmit a copy of this judgment to the

concerned Tribunal, along with its records.

9. No order as to costs.

Sd/-

(K.S.MUDAGAL) JUDGE

Sd/-

(VENKATESH NAIK T) JUDGE

MN

 
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