MVOP.No. 98/2018 - 1 - II Addl.Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
BEFORE THE CHAIRMAN, MOTOR ACCIDENTS CLAIMS’ TRIBUNAL
-CUM-II ADDITIONAL DISTRICT JUDGE, KADAPA at PRODDATUR.
Present: Sri P. Vasu, Chairman,
Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-
II Additional District Judge, Kadapa at Proddatur.
Monday, this the 11 th day of April, 2022.
M.V.O.P. NO. 98 of 2018
1. Songa Guru Sekhar.
2. Songa Lakshmi Devi.
3. Songa Guru Sai Tarun, Minor rep. by his mother and natural guardian i.e., S. Lakshmi Devi.
... CLAIMANTS.
Vs.
1. Ganta Prathap.
2. Shriram General Insurance Co., Ltd., … RESPONDENTS. This petition coming on 22-03-2022 before me for final hearing in the presence of Sri M. Sreenu, Advocate for the Claimants, 1st
Respondent set exparte and Sri Y. Neelakanta Reddy, Advocate for the 2nd Respondent, having heard on both sides, having perused the material available on record and having stood over for consideration till this day, this court made the following :-
O R D E R
This is a Motor Vehicle Original Petition filed under
Sec.163-A and Sec.166 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 r/w Rule
475/476 of A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 and Amended
Act.54/94 to award compensation of Rs.9,00,000/- to the Claimants with interest at 16% p.a, under Sec.171 of M.V.Act till the date of realization in favour of Claimants and against the 1st and 2nd
Respondents jointly and severally as well as costs of the Petition u/sec.172 of M.V.Act.
2. Brief reference of facts lead to file this Original
Petition are that :-
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -2- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
“ One Ganta Naresh Kumar being resident of R.Pampally village of
Uyyalavada Mandal of Kurnool District came to his Junior Maternal aunt’s house at Kanneluru village of Jammalamadugu Mandal about four days back prior to 08-08-2017 on which day in the evening he and his maternal aunt’s son by name Songa Guru
Ashok Kumar being the son of 1st and 2nd Claimants and brother of 3rd Claimant was going on a Tractor and Trailer bearing No. AP 21
TX 3314 and AP 21 BB 6162 (Songa Guru Ashok Kumar is the driver and Ganta Naresh Kumar sitting on the left side of the
Engine of the tractor) and when they are proceeding on the road leading to Seshareddypalli village after crossing the Railway gate at about 6.30 P.M the said Ganta Ashok Kumar being the driver drove the tractor in a rash and negligent manner with high speed and when the Buffaloes came across the road due to which he tried to save the buffaloes but in view of rash and negligent and high speed driving, he lost his control over Tractor and Trailer and got turned turtle towards right side as a result of which the said
Ganta Naresh Kumar sustained injuries but Songa Guru Ashok
Kumar died on the spot under the trailer and basing on the written complaint, a case was registered in Cr.No.274/2017 of
Jammalamadugu (U/G) P.S for the offences under Sec.337 and
Sec.304-A of IPC and during the course of investigation, the inquest was held on the dead body of the deceased by name Guru
Ashok Kumar as well as Post-Mortem Examination and the
Investigating Officer made out the case against the deceased
Songa Guru Ashok Kumar for the offences under Sec.337 and
Sec.304-A of IPC and that since the accused, who is the root cause for the accident, was died in the accident as such the case against him was abated.
The deceased Songa Guru Ashok Kumar being aged about 21 years, completed B.Com degree and studying MBA course and the deceased also obtained pass port to live at abroad as driver or any helper in private employment in other countries and as on the date of accident, the deceased doing his driver profession by earning Rs.15,000/- per month which he used to contribute for the welfare of his family and that after the death of Songa Guru Ashok
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -3- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Kumar, the Claimants being the parents and brother have lost their bread winner and as such now the 1st and 2nd Claimants are doing cooly work for their livelihood and that since the 1st
Respondent is the owner and 2nd Respondent is the insurer of the 1st Respondent’s Tractor and Trailer bearing No. AP 21 TX 3314 and
AP 21 BB 6162 and 2nd Respondent is the insurer to the 1st
Respondent’s Tractor and Trailer to indemnify the loss caused in the accident as such both the Respondents are jointly and severally liable to pay compensation to the Claimants. Hence, this
MVOP.”
3. The 1 st Respondent, failed to appear before the
Tribunal on the date of first hearing even though received
notice, as such 1 st Respondent was made set exparte.
4. The 2 nd Respondent’s Insurance Company contested
this MVOP by filing written statement with the following brief
averments:- “This Respondent, at the first instance, denied the allegations of
Original Claim Petition except which are admitted stating that
the 1 st Respondent’s Tracrtor and Trailer bearing No.AP 21
TX 3314 and AP 21 BB 6162 was insured with this
Respondent under Policy No.10003/31/17/262/428 for a period of 12-09-2016 to 11-09-2017 but the policy is subject to terms and condititions and that the above Tractor bearing No. AP 21 TX 3314 is registered for private use and the Trailer bearing No.
AP 21 BB 6162 was registered for agriculture purpose but the said
Tractor and Trailer used for commercial purpose as on the date of accident as such the 1st Respondent violated the terms and conditions of the Insurance Policy and that the 1 st Respondent
also allowed to drive the Tractor and Trailer by the
deceased by name Songa Ashok Kumar who have no
driving licence to drive the specific class of tractor and
trailer which is also a violation of terms and conditions of policy for which the 2nd Respondent being the insurer is not liable to
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -4- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
indemnify the loss caused in the accident and that as per R.C of the said Tractor the sitting capacity is for only one person i.e., who is driver only and that there is a delay of 15 1/2 hours in reporting the accident to the police and there is no such proper explanation for delay as such the accident was manipulated one for unlawful gain and that the Investigating Officer was filed Final Report referring the case as abated.
The deceased by name Songa Guru Ashok Kumar is
not a 3 rd party to attract the provisions of Sec.166 of
M.V.Act and it is for the Claimants to prove the age of the deceased either by Aadhar card, household card and Voter Identity card etc., and that the 1st Respondent failed to give information about the accident to the 2nd Respondent as required under
Sec.134(c) of M.V.Act which discloses that the manipulation for unlawful gain and that the amount claimed by the Claimants is huge, superfluous, excessive and irrational and baseless and the claim is against the said legal provisions and the 2nd Respondent reserves his right to seek protection under Sec.171 of M.V.Act, in view of 1st Respondent’s collusion or his staff failure to contest the case and hence prayed to dismiss this claim petition.”
5. Basing on the above said rival contentions, the following issues are framed for trial:- (1) Whether the accident occured on 8.8.2017 at about 6.30 P.M while the defacto complainant by name Ganta Naresh Kumar along with his aunt’s son by name Songa Guru Ashok Kumar being the son of 1st and 2nd Claimants proceeding in a Tractor and Trailer bearing No. AP 21 TX 3314 and AP 21 BB 6162 at which time Songa Guru Ashok Kumar driving the Tractor when the defacto complainant sat on the left side of the
Engine and when they are leading towards Seshareddypalle village at which time the above said driver drove the same in a rash and negligent manner with high speed and tried to save the buffaloes which time across the road due to which he lost his control over the tractor as a result of which the
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -5- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Tractor and Trailer turned turtle consequent to which the defacto complainant sustained injury and driver of the
Tractor i.e., Songa Guru Ashok Kumar died on the spot under the Trailer or not?
2.Whether the 2nd Respondent is liable to pay compensation since the Tractor and Trailer was driven by violating the terms of insurance policy or not?
3.Whether the Petitioner / Claimant is entitled to any compensation or not ?
4.To what relief?
6. On behalf of Claimants, P.W 1 and P.W.2 examined and
Ex.A.1 to Ex.A.10 are marked and on behalf of contesting 2 nd
Respondent, R.W 1 is examined and Ex.B.1 and Ex.B.2 marked.
7.Heard on both sides.
8.The learned counsel for the Claimant argued, by drawing attention of this Court to prove the contents of Claim Petition as well as written statement that:
“The deceased Songa Guru Ashok Kumar being aged about 21 years, unmarried and being driver died in the Tractor driving by falling under Trailer and that even though the deceased is the driver of the Tractor and responsible for his death by driving in a rash and negligent manner is a 3rd party to the Insurance Policy and that the police also filed
Final Report against the deceased as abated and when the deceased is a 3rd party to the Insurance Policy, the Claimants being parents and brother of the deceased are rightly entitled for compensation and while submitting arguments filed citations i.e., Judgment of Hon’ble Apex Court in Civil
Appeal No.5826/2011 held in between Mukund Dewangan Vs
Oriental Insurance Company with several SLPs dt.03.07.2017, another Supreme Court decision in Pranay
Sethy’s case, 2020 (1) AnWR 428 ( Bom), 2019(2) AnWR 448
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -6- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
(Bom), Judgment of the Hon’ble Apex Court rendered in
Swaran Singh and other’s case, 2019 (2) AnWR 451 (D.B.)
T.S and A.P, Judgment of the Delhi District Court in Ranju
Devi and others Vs Sarvjeet dt.05.10.2021 and down loaded copy of “Supreme Court lays down norms for computation of accident claim” and hence prayed to decree the O.P by granting compensation.”
9.The learned counsel for the contesting 2nd Respondent filed written arguments apart from making oral submissions and argued that :
“As per Ex.A.1 (Attested copy of F.I.R) and Final Report as well as admissions in evidence that the deceased being the driver of the tractor and trailer drove the same in a rash and negligent manner with high speed and caused accident in which he himself died and as such the deceased driver is not a 3rd party to the Insurance Policy and that as per Motor
Vehicles Act, the driver – cum - owner or driver will not come under 3rd party and for example if there is involvement of two vehicles and driver of another vehicle to whom accident occured will become 3rd party and that the 1st Respondent being owner violated the terms of policy by allowing the deceased driver without having valid and effective driving licence to drive the tractor and trailer and also argued that as per Insurance Policy, no premium paid for additional driver and while submitting arguments filed citations i.e., 2007 (1) Supreme 609 and another judgment of the Hon’ble
Apex Court in National Insurance company Vs Ashalatha
Bowmik and others in Civil Appeal No. 9100 / 2018 dt.31.08.2018 and hence prayed to dismiss the claim petition.”
10. Issue No.1:-
In the case of claim petition seeking compensation by
the victims of the deceased who died in a road accident, it has
to be decided whether the accident occured due to rash and
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -7- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
negligent driving of the offending vehicle and whether the
offending vehicle was insured with any Insurance Company and
the income of the deceased person who died in the accident in
order to ascertain the compensation to be awarded to the
victims of the deceased person.
11.As seen from the rival contentions of parties to the Motor vehicle Original Petition i.e., Claim Petition, there is no dispute in
respect of occurrence of accident in which the deceased died by
name Songa Ashok Kumar but there is keen contest from the 2 nd
Respondent’s Insurance Company as to whether the claimants are entitled for any compensation in view of the deceased being the son of 1st and 2nd claimants and brother of 3rd claimant himself drove the tractor and died under the trailer without having any valid and effective driving license and that the deceased is not a 3 rd party to the
Insurance Policy and so this Tribunal would make a focus on the fact deciding whether the Claimants being legal representatives of the deceased are entitled for any compensation or not.
12. To substantiate the Claimants version, the 2nd claimant being the mother of deceased examined as P.W.1 in chief examination by way of affidavit as usual reiterated the entire contents of Claim Petition which brief facts this Tribunal already discussed in the above paras as such again not inclined to narrate the same in order to avoid repeatance of allegations and apart from that marked Attested copy of F.I.R,
Attested copy of Inquest Report, Attested copy of P.M Report,
Attested copy of MVI Report, Attested copy of Final Report,
Original driving license of the deceased, Original Mark List of
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -8- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
the deceased, Original pass port of the deceased, Original
Aadhar card of the deceased, Original Birth Certificate of the
deceased as Exs.A.1 to Ex.A.10.
13.The Claimants, in support of their version examined the defacto complainant and eye witness to the occurrence of offence as
P.W.2 in chief examination by way of affidavit as usual reiterated the entire important contents of Claim Petition but deviating in respect
of causing accident in a rash and negligent driving by the
deceased by narrating that the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar being his cousin brother died in a tractor accident and the said
Ashok kumar driven the tractor and trailer in a normal and
moderate speed by following rules and regulations of M.V.Act
and due to sudden appearance of buffaloes across the road the deceased uncontrolled the vehicle as a result it was turned turtle and the deceased died by falling under the tractor and trailer.
14. Now this Tribunal would also like to discuss the evidence of 2nd
Respondent’s Insurance Company in order to marshal the evidence as and when necessary at relevant point of time. The Legal Executive of the 2 nd Respondent’s Insurance Company examined as R.W.1 in chief examination by way of affidavit as usual reiterated the entire important contents of written statement which brief facts this Tribunal already discussed in the above paras as such again not inclined to narrate the same in order to avoid repeatance of allegations and apart
from that marked the Authorization Letter and True Copy of
Insurance Policy as Ex.B.1 and Ex.B.2.
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -9- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
15. The learned counsel for the 2nd Respondent’s Insurance
Company cross-examined the 2nd Claimant as P.W.1 and supporting evidence as P.W.2 and among them P.W.1 admitted about knowing of contents of her chief examination affidavit which she got drafted duly instructing her counsel. The learned counsel for the 2nd Respondent’s
Insurance Company cross-examined P.w.2 in which he also admitted about got drafting the contents of his chief examination affidavit duly instructing her counsel. P.W.2 also deposed about the occurrence
of accident on Seshareddypalle village road after Railway gate
on 08-08-2017. P.W.2 also deposed that the deceased Songa
Ashok Kumar being the son of P.W.1 driven the tractor and
trailer bearing No.AP 21 TX 3134 and AP 21 DB 6162 on the date
of accident. Even though P.W.2 in his chief examination affidavit stated that the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar drove the Tractor and
Trailer in a normal and moderate speed by following Rules and
Regulations of M.V.Act, surprise to this Tribunal cross-examined about the fact stating that he noted in his complaint attached to
Ex.A.1 that the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar drove the above
said Tractor bearing No.AP 21 TX 3314 in a rash and negligent
manner with high speed and after crossing Jammalamadugu Railway gate towards Seshareddypalle road and when the buffaloes came across the road due to which the driver lost his control as a result of which the Tractor turned turtle. The Claimant filed Attested copy of Inquest Report and Attested copy of Final Investigation
Report marked as Ex.A.2 and Ex.A.5 would clearly discloses that the
deceased Songa Guru Ashok Kumar being the driver of the
above said Tractor and Trailer belonging to his relatives while
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -10- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
proceeding towards R.Pampally village drove the same in a rash and negligent manner with high speed and he lost his control when buffaloes came across the road due to which the said Tractor and Trailer turned turtle on right side of the road and the deceased died under the
Trailer and as per Attested copy of Final Investigation Report i.e.,
Ex.A.5 it clearly discloses that since the deceased Songa Guru
Ashok Kumar himself is the responsible for his death by driving
the tractor in a rash and negligent manner causing his own death and thereby the Investigating Officer filed Final Investigation
Report by referring the case as “ Abated ”.
16.The Legal Executive of 2nd Respondent’s Insurance Company in his cross-examination admitted about filing of Final Report i.e., Ex.A.5 by the Investigating Officer against the deceased driver by name Songa
Guru Ashok Kumar of the crime vehicle i.e., Tractor and Trailer bearing
No. AP 21 TX 3314 and AP 21 VV 6162. The learned counsel for the 2 nd
Respondent’s Insurance Company cross examined the 2nd
Claimant as P.W.1 and supporting witness as P.W.2 in which no where
he posed a question stating that the deceased driver by name
Songa Guru Ashok Kumar has not drove the Tractor and Trailer
in a rash and negligent manner causing accident resulting into
own death of the deceased.
17.The pleadings of written statement of 2 nd Respondent discloses that no where it was denied that the deceased driver is
not the root cause for his death due to rash and negligent
driving of the Tractor belonging to 1 st Respondent but contested
that there are violations made by the 1 st Respondent in allowing
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -11- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
the deceased driver who have no effective and valid driving license to drive the same.
18.As seen from the above oral as well as documentary evidence placed by the Claimants as well as contesting Respondent’s
Insurance Company it could be boldly said that the deceased Songa
Guru Ashok Kumar being the son of 1 st and 2 nd Claimants and
brother of 3 rd Claimant as a driver drove the above Tractor and Trailer bearing No. AP 21 TX 3314 and AP 21 VV 6162 drove the same in a rash and negligent manner and thereby caused himself to death by got turned turtle of the Tractor and Trailer and there is no other person is the root cause for his death. Hence, Issue No.1 is answered in
favour of claimant by placing rash and negligent act on the part
of deceased driver of 1 st Respondent’s vehicle i.e., Tractor and
T railer causing death to the deceased.
19. ISSUE NO.2
Since the Issue No.1 in respect of rash and negligent driving of the deceased driver of the 1st Respondent’s Tractor and Trailer bearing No. AP 21 TX 3144 and AP 21 BB 6162 is concluded by this
Tribunal as such it has to be seen whether the Claimants being the parents and brother of the deceased are entitled to any compensation and to what extent.
20.Now let us discuss, whether the Insurance Policy was in force as on the date of accident in order to award compensation or not.
21.The Legal Executive of the 2nd Respondent’s Insurance
Company as R.W.1 filed Authorization letter given by the Branch
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -12- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Manager of 2nd Respondent’s Insurance Company permitting the Legal
Executive to examine as R.W.1 to give evidence in the Court marked as
Ex.B.1 and also filed True Copy of Insurance Policy marked as
Ex.B.2 and in the cross-examination, R.W.1 admitted the fact stating that Ex.B.2 was in force as on the date of accident. This
Tribunal also perused the True Copy of Insurance Policy marked as
Ex.B.2 discloses that the 1st Respondent is the Insurer for the vehicle bearing No. AP 21 TX 3314 for a period of one year i.e., from 12-09-2016 to mid night of 11-09-2017 and the date of accident is on 08-08-2017 which covers the period of insurance.
22.As seen from the above said discussion of oral as well as documentary evidence including the pleadings of the parties to this
Claim Petition, this Tribunal has no hesitation to say that the 1 st
R espondent being the owner of the T ractor and T railer bearing
No. AP 21 TX 3314 and AP 21 VV 6162 to which the 2 nd
R espondent is the I nsurer who admitted that Insurance P olicy
was in force as on the date of occurrence of offence.
23. Now let us discuss, whether the Petitioners / Claimants being the parents and brother of the deceased Songa Guru Ashok
Kumar are entitled to any compensation for the death of deceased in the accident and to what extent?
24.To resolve this issue, it has to be discussed about the
age of the deceased as well as his earning capacity as on the
date of accident and under which whether it has to be compensated to the Petitioners / Claimants.
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -13- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
25.It is the contest of the Claimants and evidence of 2nd
Claimant as well as supporting witness i.e., P.W.2 that the deceased
was hale and healthy and aged about 21 years as on the date of
accident and being studied degree education working as driver as on the date of accident.
26.The Claimants filed Original Driving License and
Original Birth Certificate issued by the Registrar of Births and
Deaths, Jammalamadugu Municipality of Kadapa District marked as
Ex.A.6 and Ex.A.10 which would go to show that the deceased
Songa Guru Ashok Kumar’s date of birth is 10-06-1996 which
means the deceased has completed 20 years as on the date of
accident i.e., 08-08-2017. Learned Counsel for the 2nd Respondent’s
Insurance Company cross examined in which nowhere posed any question either to P.W.1 or P.W.2 disputed about either Ex.A.6 and
Ex.A.10 or its contents. So this Tribunal has no hesitation to say that the deceased Songa Guru Ashok Kumar’s age is 20 years as on the date of accident and accordingly this Tribunal fixed the aged of deceased
Ashok Kumar as 20 years.
27.Now let us discuss whether the deceased Songa Ashok
Kumar having valid and effective driving license to drive the Tractor and
Trailer as on the date of accident.
28.The Claimants filed Attested Copy of Final Investigation
Report and Original Driving License marked as Ex.A5 and Ex.A.6
to show that the deceased Ashok Kumar having valid and effective driving license. The Ex.A.5 i.e., Attested copy of Final Investigation
Report discloses that the case against the deceased Songa Ashok
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -14- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Kumar registered in Cr.No.274/2017 of Jammalamadugu (U/G) P.S
for offences under Sec.337 and Sec. 304-A I.P.C and after completion of investigation, the Investigating Officer filed Final Investigation Report and closed the case as “Abated”. The Investigating Officer is nowhere noted in Ex.A.5 that the deceased has no valid and effective driving license as on the date of accident to drive the Tractor and Trailer and so he has shown the section of law as Sec.337 and Sec.304-A of I.P.C and not shown the provisions of M.V.Act i.e., Sec.3 r/w Sec.181 of M.V.Act. The Claimants, to prove the driving license to the deceased, filed Original Driving License marked as Ex.A.6 which would go to show that the deceased Asok Kumar possessing
Driving License for Light Motor Vehicle (Non Transport), Motor
Cycle with gear for a period from 16-12-2016 to 23-07-2034 and
for Transport Vehicle for a period from 16-1202016 to 15-12-
2019. So there is no violation of terms and conditions of Insurance
Policy by the 1st Respondent made by the 1st Respondent.
29.Even though the 2nd Respondent’s Insurance Company contested that the 1st Respondent committed violation of terms of
Insurance Policy, it has not placed any documentary proof to establish the violation whereas on the other hand, the Claimants established their version that the deceased having driving license as on the date of accident.
30.Now let us discuss the quantum of compensation to be awarded to the Petitioners / Claimants for the death of deceased Songa
Guru Ashok Kumar.
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -15- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
31.The Claimants, to show the income of the deceased Ashok
Kumar, examined the 2nd Claimant as P.W.1 who in her chief examination affidavit and their pleadings stated that the deceased Ashok Kumar used to earn Rs.15,000/- per month working as driver to cars, jeeps, sumos, etc., The P.W.1 in her cross examination deposed that she has not
filed any document to show that her deceased son getting
Rs.15,000/- per month being working as Driver.
32.At this juncture, this Tribunal would like to rely on (2022) 1
SCC 198 = 2021 (6) ALT 116 = 2021 ACJ 2554 = 2022 1 SCC(Cri)
204 held in between CHANDRA @ CHANDA @ CHANDRARAM & ANR
Vs. MUKESH KUMAR YADAV & ORS wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court observed in para 10 that :
“In the case of Minu Rout & Anr. v. Satya Pradyumna
Mohapatra & Ors., (2013) 10 SCC 695 this Court while dealing with the claim relating to an accident which occurred on 08.11.2004 has taken the salary of the driver of light motor vehicle at Rs.6000/- per month. In this case the accident was on 27.02.2016 and it is clearly proved that the deceased was in possession of heavy vehicle driving licence and was driving such vehicle on the day of accident. Keeping in mind the enormous growth of vehicle population and demand for good drivers and by considering oral evidence on record we may take the income of the deceased at Rs.8000/- per month for the purpose of loss of dependency. Deceased was aged about 32 years on the date of the accident and as he was on fixed salary, 40% enhancement is to be made towards loss of future prospects.”
33.As seen from the above said citation the Hon’ble Apex Court had an occasion to deal with income of the driver of light motor vehicle
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -16- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
in the year 2004 as per 2013) 10 SCC 695 basing on which the Hon’ble
Apex Court fixed the income of driver for heavy vehicle as Rs.8,000/- per month for the year 2016 as per (2022) 1 SCC 198. In the instant Claim
Petition it is not in dispute about the avocation of deceased
Ashok Kumar as driver as per pleadings of 2nd Respondent’s Insurance
Company but contested that the deceased has no valid and effective driving license to drive specific class of tractor and trailer and so it is already in the above paras about the status of deceased as driver.
Since the Hon’ble Apex Court fixed the monthly income of driver
as Rs.6,000/- for the year 2004 as such it could be said that the
monthly income of the deceased can be safely be fixed at
Rs.8,000/- for the year 2017. Hence this Tribunal has no hesitation to say that the monthly income of the deceased has to be fixed at
Rs.8000/- for the year 2017 and accordingly this Tribunal fixed the
monthly income of the deceased as Rs.8,000/- in the instant
Claim Petition.
34. In view of the above citation of Hon’ble Apex Court, this
Tribunal fixed the income of the deceased as Rs.8,000/- per month and as per above said citation of Apex Court, since the deceased Songa
Ashok Kumar was aged about 20 years as on the date of accident as such 40% of enhancement on the above said fixed income of Rs.8,000/- per month has to be calculated to assess the compensation in view of above citation of Hon’ble Apex Court.
35.The monthly income of the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar is
Rs.8,000/- + Rs.8,000/- X 40 / 100 = Rs.8,000/- + Rs.3,200/- =
Rs.11,200/- per month. As per citation of Hon’ble Apex Court i.e., (2009) 6 SCC 121 held in between in Sarla Varma (SMT) and others
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -17- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Vs. Delhi Transport Corporation and another,the deceased is the bachelor as such 50% of personal and living expenses has to be deducted from the monthly income assessed by the Tribunal as such it will become Rs.11,200/- / 2 = Rs.5,600/- per month and annual income of the deceased is Rs.5,600/- X 12 = Rs.67,200/-.
36.Since the age of the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar is fixed
as 20 years as on the date of accident and in view of the above citation
of Hon’ble Apex Court in AIR 2009 SC 3104 = 2009 (3) ALD 83 SC = (2009) 6 SCC 121 and Trilok Chand i.e., 1996 (4) SCC 362, the multiplier has to be applied as 18 for the age between 15 to 20 and 21 to 25 years.
Hence compensation fixed at Rs.67,200/- X 18 = Rs.12,09,600/-. As per citations of Hon’ble Apex Court, the Tribunal has to award the loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses, this Tribunal
fixed at Rs.73,000/- (loss of estate = Rs.16,500/- + loss of
consortium = Rs.40,000/- + funeral expenses = Rs.16,500/- =
Total Rs.73,000/-) and in total this Tribunal arrived the compensation to be awarded to the Petitioners / Claimants in view of the death of the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar in the accident is at Rs.12,82,600/-
(Rupees Twelve Lakhs Eighty Two Thousands Six Hundred only)
(Rs.12,09,600 + Rs.73,000/-).
37. Now it has to be seen who is liable to pay the compensation to the Claimants i.e., whether it is both the Respondents or not.
38.This Tribunal already discussed in the above paras that the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar drove the 1st Respondent’s Tractor and
Trailer bearing No.AP21 TX 3314 and AP21 BB 6162 which was insured with the 2nd Respondent’s Insurance Company to pay the compensation to indemnify the 1st Respondent as there are no violations of insurance
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -18- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
policy. Hence the 1st and 2nd Respondents being owner and insurer of the above Tractor and Trailer as such both the Respondents are jointly and severally liable to pay the above compensation. Hence this issue No.2 also answered in favour of Claimants.
39.The learned Counsel for the Claimants filed citations i.e.,
Mukund Dewagan Vs. Oriental Insurance Company Limited dt.03.07.2017, National Insurance Company Vs. Pranay Sethi dt.31.10.2017, 2020 (1) ANWR 428 Bombay, National Insurance
Company Limited Vs. Swaran Singh and Others dt.05.01.2004, 2019 (2)
ANWR TS & AP 451, 2019 (2) ANWR 448 (BOM), Delhi District Court in
Ranju Devi and Others Vs. Sarvjeet dt.05.10.2021, Supreme Court lays on norms for computation of accident claim. With great respect to the
Hon’ble Apex Court, Hon’ble High Court of Judicature for the State of
Telangana and A.P. and Hon’ble High Court of Bombay, this Tribunal would like to say that these citations have no application to the present facts and circumstances to the instant OP.
40.The Learned counsel for the 2nd Respondent’s Insurance
Company also filed citations 2007 (0) ACJ 818 = AIR 2007 SC 1054. With great respect to the Hon’ble Apex Court, this Tribunal would like to say that the citation has no application to the present facts and circumstances to the instant OP.
41. As per claim of the Petitioners / Claimants, the
Petitioners / Claimants claimed for compensation of
Rs.9,00,000/- but this Tribunal inclined to award more than the
compensation claimed by the Petitioners / Claimants as per
decision of the Hon’ble Apex Court in 2013 (9) SCC 54 = 2013 (4)
ALT 35 = 2013 SCC Online SC 339 held in between RAJESH AND
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -19- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
ORS Vs. RAJBIR SINGH AND ORS wherein the Hon’ble Apex Court
observed that the Motor Accidents Claim Tribunal is empowered
to grant compensation in excess than the claim made by the
Claimant in his claim petition.
42. Issue No.3:-
Since the above issues in respect of causing accident to the deceased Songa Ashok Kumar due to his own rash and negligent driving of the 1st Respondent’s Tractor and Trailer bearing No.AP21 TX 3144 and
AP21 BB 6162 as such the Claimants being the parents of
deceased and brother of deceased are entitled for compensation
from the 1 st and 2 nd Respondents are liable to pay the
compensation claimed by the Claimants as such this issue also answered in favour of Petitioners / Claimants.
In the result, this claim petition is allowed by awarding
compensation of Rs.12,82,600/- (Rupees Twelve Lakhs Eighty
Two Thousands Six Hundred only) with interest at 7.5% per annum from the date of petition i.e., 06.04.2018 till the date of realisation.
2. The 2ndRespondent shall deposit the above said compensation amount within one month from the date of this Judgment failing which the 2nd Respondent has to pay the said compensation with interest at 9% per annum.
3. After deposit of the above said compensation amount of
Rs.12,82,600/- (Rupees Twelve Lakhs Eighty Two
Thousands Six Hundred only) with interest at 7.5% p.a.
from the date of Claim Petition till the date of deposit by the 2nd Respondent, the 1st and 2nd Petitioners / 1st and 2nd
Claimants being parents of the deceased are entitled to
Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakhs only) each with accrued interest and the 3rd Petitioner / Claimant being the brother of the deceased is entitled to Rs.2,82,600/-.
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -20- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
4. The 1st and 2nd Petitioners / 1st and 2nd Claimants are at liberty to withdraw their share of Rs.4,00,000/- each with accrued interest and the remaining their share of
Rs.1,00,000/- each shall be deposited in Nationalized Bank for a period of one year and thereafter they are at liberty to withdraw the same with accrued interest. The share of 3rd
Petitioner / 3rd Claimant being minor of Rs.2,82,600/- shall be fixed in the Nationalized Bank till his attaining majority and thereafter he is at liberty to withdraw his share of amount of Rs.2,82,600/- with accrued interest.
5. The Petitioners / Claimants are directed to pay the deficit of court fee on Rs.3,82,600/- (Rupees Three Lakhs Eighty Two Thousands Six Hundred only) within one month from the date of Judgment and thereafter the decree will be prepared and in case if the Petitioners / Claimants fail to pay the deficit of court fee within the stipulated period of one month, the decree will be prepared for Rs.9,00,000/- only with costs and interest as directed above.
6. The Advocate fee is fixed at Rs.6,000/-.”
Partly dictated to the Stenographer, transcribed by him and partly typed by me and partly typed to my dictation to the Typist, corrected and
pronounced by me, in open court on this the 11th day of April, 2022.
Digitally signed by
PODARALLA
PODARALLA VASU
VASUDate: 2022.04.11 18:27:49 +0530 Chairman, Motor Accidents Claims
Tribunal-cum-II Addl. District Judge,
Kadapa at Proddatur.
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESSES EXAMINED FOR PETITIONERS
P.W.1: Songa Lakshmi Devi.
P.W.2: Ganta Naresh Kumar.
EXHIBITS MARKED FOR PETITIONERS
Ex.A.1: Attested copy of F.I.R
Ex.A.2: Attested copy of Inquest Report.
Ex.A.3: Attested copy of P.M Report.
Ex.A.4: Attested copy of MVI Report.
Ex.A.5: Attested copy of Final Report.
Ex.A.6: Original driving license of the deceased.
MVOP.No. 98/2018 -21- II Addl. Dist. Judge’s Court,
Proddatur, Dt.11-04-2022.
Ex.A.7: Original Mark List of the deceased.
Ex.A.8: Original pass port of the deceased.
Ex.A.9: Original Aadhar card of the deceased.
Ex.A.10: Original Birth Certificate of the deceased.
WITNESSES EXAMINED FOR 2 ND RESPONDENT
R.W.1: Jagarlapudi Lakshmi Siva Narayana.
EXHIBITS MARKED FOR 2 ND RESPONDENT
Ex.B.1: Authorization Letter.
Ex.B.2: True Copy of Insurance Policy.
Digitally signed by
PODARALLA
PODARALLA VASU
VASUDate: 2022.04.11 18:28:07 +0530 Chairman, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-II Addl. District Judge,
Kadapa at Proddatur.