The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) at Thane has directed payment of compensation amounting to ₹30.34 lakh to the family of a 44-year-old man who lost his life in a road accident in 2018.
Presiding Officer R.V. Mohite held the owner of the offending vehicle, Jayant Devidas Narkar, and Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd. jointly and severally liable to discharge the award. The order, pronounced on August 22, was made available earlier this week.
According to the claim petition, on November 17, 2018, the deceased, Shriram Madan Patole, was waiting near the Kinhavli Phata bridge on the Mumbai-Nashik Highway when a speeding car lost control, veered off the road, and rammed into bystanders. The impact claimed six lives, including that of Patole. The vehicle subsequently crashed into a roadside nullah.
The Tribunal concluded that the fatal mishap was the result of the driver’s sole negligence in failing to regulate speed and control the vehicle. As the owner of the car did not appear in the proceedings, the matter was decided ex parte against him.
Rejecting the insurer’s contention of policy violation, the Tribunal observed that the company failed to substantiate its claim that the driver lacked a valid and effective driving licence at the time of the accident.
The award specifies that the compensation, along with interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing the claim petition, shall be disbursed to the deceased’s widow and two minor children.
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