Madras High Court
Mahalakshimi vs Sangeetha on 1 April, 2022
CMA No.1914 of 2018
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS
DATED: 01.04.2022
CORAM
THE HON'BLE Mr. JUSTICE C.V.KARTHIKEYAN
C.M.A.No.1914 of 2018
1.Mahalakshimi
2.Sadhasivam ... Appellants
Vs.
1.Sangeetha
2.M/s.The Oriental Insurance
Company Ltd.,
Kumbakonam. ... Respondent
Prayer: This Civil Miscellaneous Appeal has been filed under Section 173
of M.V.Act, 1988, against the fair and decreetal order dated 02.09.2015 in
M.C.O.P.No.214 of 2013 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims
Tribunal Authority/Additional District Judge, Ariyalur.
For Appellants : Mr.M.Saravanakumar
For Respondent : Mr.V.Athikesavan
No.1
For Respondent : Mr.D.Bhaskaran
No.2
1/7
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
CMA No.1914 of 2018
JUDGMENT
The claimants in MCOP No.214 of 2013 on the file of the Motor
Accident Claims Tribunal Authority/Additional District Court, Ariyalur, are
the appellants herein. They are the parents of a young child viz., Dharani
aged 5 years at the time of accident, who unfortunately died in a Motor
Accident on 30.05.2013 at around 10.15 a.m. when she was standing on the
threshold of her house. At that time, an Eicher Medium Goods Vehicle
bearing registration No.TN 46 AC 8354 had dashed against the young child
and owing to the injuries caused, she died on the same day.
2.Claiming compensation for that unfortunately death, the parents had
filed the aforementioned MCOP No.214 of 2013 and aggrieved by the
compensation granted, they have preferred this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal
before the this Court.
3.The second claimant/father of the child had examined himself as
PW1 and ten documents were marked as Ex.P1 to P10 including the copy of
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CMA No.1914 of 2018
the First Information Report, Post Mortum Report, the charge sheet, the
death certificate and also the legal heirs certificate. On the side of the
respondent, three witnesses were examined as RW1 to RW3 and eight
documents were marked as Ex.R1 to R8. The insurance policy was marked
as Ex.P4.
4.The Tribunal took up for consideration as the first issue, the manner
in which, the accident occurred and whether it was owing to the rash and
negligent driving of the driver of the offending vehicle. It was found as a
fact that the vehicle was actually driven in a rash and negligent manner and
also that, the deceased child was standing outside the threshold of her house
and at that time, the vehicle had hit her and caused her death. Therefore,
that particular issue was decided by holding that the accident occurred only
due to the rash and negligent driving of the vehicle. I would affirm that
finding of the trial Court.
5.Thereafter, the Tribunal proceeded to determine the compensation
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CMA No.1914 of 2018
payable. The Notional income of Rs.15,000/- per annum was taken into
consideration since the age of the child was 5 years at the time of accident.
It had been urged before the Tribunal that a sum of Rs.30,000/- per annum
should have been taken as notional income but the Tribunal thought it
would be more prudent to take a sum of Rs.15,000/-per annum.
6.The learned counsel for the appellants also urged this Court that this
Court should reconsider that particular notional income as determined by
the Tribunal.
7.However, as stated by the learned counsel for the respondent, the
issue of notional income for a child less than 10 years has been an
oscillating factor. If the child is 10 years and more than a more reasonable
notional income can be determined on the basis of the progress, which the
child would have made 5 years thence.
8.The entire aspect falls under the zone of discretion. While
exercising discretion, it is also expected that prudence is adopted. I
therefore retain the notional income at Rs.15,000/- as determined by the
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CMA No.1914 of 2018
Tribunal. When that is taken as the annual income and if multiplier 15 is
adopted, the total income, which can be granted, would be Rs.2,25,000/-.
The Tribunal had granted a lumpsum for conventional heads without giving
any reason. I would therefore grant a sum of Rs.40,000/- to each of the
claimants/appellants towards loss of love and affection, a sum of
Rs.15,000/- towards funeral expenses and another sum of Rs.15,000/-
towards loss of estate. The compensation is granted as follows under the
following heads:
Loss of income ... Rs.2,25,000/-,
Loss of love and affection ... Rs.80,000/-,
(each of the claimants
Rs.40,000/- x 2 = 80,000)
Loss of estate ... Rs.15,000/-,
Funeral expenses ... Rs.15,000/-.
--------------------------
Total ... Rs.3,35,000/-
----------------------------
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CMA No.1914 of 2018
9.In fine, the appeal is allowed. No costs. The award is modified. The
compensation award is enhanced to Rs.3,35,000/-.
10.The second respondent/Insurance Company is directed to deposit
the enhanced amount, less the amount already deposited, if any, with
interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the petition
till date of deposit within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a
copy of this order. On such deposit, the appellants/claimants are to be
apportioned equally and they are permitted to withdraw the award amount
on proper identification, after adjusting the amount, if any, already
withdrawn. The pay and recovery as ordered by the Tribunal is hereby
confirmed.
Index:Yes/No
Internet:Yes/No
sms 01.04.2022
To
1.The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal Authority/
Additional District Judge, Ariyalur.
2.M/s.The Oriental Insurance
Company Ltd., Kumbakonam.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
CMA No.1914 of 2018
C.V.KARTHIKEYAN,J
sms
C.M.A.No.1914 of 2018
01.04.2022
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis
