Citation : 2022 Latest Caselaw 3534 Tel
Judgement Date : 7 July, 2022
HON'BLE SMT. JUSTICE G. ANUPAMA CHAKRAVARTHY
M.A.C.M.A.Nos.986 and 1467 of 2016
COMMON JUDGMENT :
These two appeals are arising out of the same order dated
08.09.2015, in O.P.No.1602 of 2013 on the file of Motor Accident
Claims Tribunal-cum-XIII Additional Chief Judge (FTC), City
Civil Court, Hyderabad. MACMA.No.1467 of 2016 is filed by the
APSRTC, to set aside the orders in the said O.P., whereas,
MACMA.No.986 of 2016 is filed by the claimants for
enhancement of compensation from Rs.8,85,000/- to
Rs.10,00,000/-.
2. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred to as
arrayed in the O.P.
3. The O.P. is filed under Section 166 of Motor Vehicles Act
claiming compensation of Rs.10 Lakhs for the death of one
Sherikar Balaji in the accident occurred on 20.03.2013 at 4.30 p.m.
due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of APSRTC bus
bearing No.AP-10-Z-9780.
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GAC, J
MACMA.Nos.986 & 1467 of 2016
4. Heard both sides and perused the material on record.
5. The learned Standing Counsel for RTC contended that the
Tribunal has not properly come to a conclusion as to the earnings
of the deceased and ought not to have granted Rs.50,000/- towards
medical expenses inspite of no oral or documentary evidence on
record. It is also contended by the learned Standing Counsel for
the RTC that the Tribunal ought not to have granted Rs.25,000/-
towards funeral expenses.
6. On the other hand, the learned counsel for the claimants
contended that 40% of future prospects and consortium of
Rs.40,000/- per head has to be granted by the Tribunal and prayed
to grant compensation under the said heads.
7. There is no dispute with regard to the income or age of the
deceased in this case. On perusal of the record, it is evident that
the accident occurred on 20.03.2013 at 4.30 p.m. when the
deceased along with his friend were returning from Abids to
Malakpet on the two wheeler bearing No.AP-28-AG-9041 and
when they reached Golnaka, the RTC bus bearing No.
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GAC, J
MACMA.Nos.986 & 1467 of 2016
AP-10-Z-9780 dashed against the two wheeler in a rash and
negligent manner from their back, resulting in the death of the
deceased while undergoing treatment in the hospital.
8. The evidence of PWs.1 to 3 and Exs.A-1 to A-7 corroborates
with each other as to the manner of accident, age and income of the
deceased and there is no dispute with regard to the said aspect to
interfere with the orders of the Tribunal.
9. Both the counsel contended that the Larger Bench judgment
of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v.
Pranay Sethi & others1 has to be followed while granting
compensation on different heads.
10. On perusal of the order of the Tribunal, it is evident that the
Tribunal has awarded the following amounts under different heads;
1.
Loss of dependency - Rs.8,10,000/-
2. Funeral expenses - Rs.25,000/-
3. Medical expenses - Rs.50,000/-
Thus, granted an amount of Rs.8,85,000/- towards compensation
and apportioned equally to both the claimants.
2017 ACJ 2700
GAC, J MACMA.Nos.986 & 1467 of 2016
11. Admittedly, the deceased is aged about 21 years as on the
date of the accident and there is no dispute raised by the appellant
as to the income of the deceased i.e. Rs.7,500/- per month as a
Mechanic. The evidence of PW-3 who is the owner of the
mechanic shed, clearly disclose that he paid an amount of
Rs.7,500/- per month to the deceased and Ex.A-8 is the salary
certificate issued by him. As per the judgment of Hon'ble
Supreme Court in Smt.Sarla Verma v. Delhi Transport
Corporation & another2, the multiplier applicable is '18' for the
age group of 15 to 25 years. The annual income of the deceased is
Rs.90,000/-. If 40% future prospects is added, it would come to
Rs.1,26,000/- (Rs.90,000 + Rs.36,000). Admittedly, the deceased
is an unmarried person and as per judgment in Sarla Verma's case
(2 supra), 50% is to be deducted towards personal expenses. If
50% is deducted towards the personal expenses of the deceased, his
contribution to the family would come to Rs.63,000/- (Rs.1,26,000
- Rs.63,000). If the multiplier '18' is applied, it would come to
Rs.11,34,000/- (Rs.63,000 X 18).
(2009) 6 SCC 121
GAC, J MACMA.Nos.986 & 1467 of 2016
12. Thus, the claimants are entitled to the compensation under
the following heads;
1. Loss of dependency - Rs.11,34,000/-
2. Funeral expenses - Rs.15,000/-
3. Consortium - Rs.80,000/- (Rs.40,000/-
each
4. Loss of Estate - Rs.15,000/-
13. Accordingly, the appeals are disposed of, granting a total
compensation of Rs.12,44,000/- with costs and interest at the rate
of 7.5% per annum from the date of petition till the date of
realisation. Both the claimants are equally entitled for the said
amount. They are permitted to withdraw the amount as the
accident took place in the year 2013.
Pending miscellaneous applications, if any, shall stand
closed.
________________________________ G.ANUPAMA CHAKRAVARTHY, J Date: 07.07.2022
ajr
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