JUDGMENT

R. V. Raveendran J.—

Leave granted.

2.This is an appeal for enhancement of compensation, by the mother, widow, three children and father of Kuldeep Sharma, a Sub-Inspector of Police, aged 36 years, who died in a motor accident on 25.12.1990. According to the salary certificate, his basic pay was Rs.7425/-, the gross salary (pay and allowances) was Rs.13,794/-, the deductions aggregated to Rs.4,305/- and the net take home salary was Rs.9,489/- per month.

3.The Tribunal by its award dated 17.1.2003 held the respondents liable and directed the insurer to pay to the appellants, Rs.14,44,600/- as compensation, with simple interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition (21.2.2002) till realization. The Tribunal arrived at the said compensation in the following manner : It deducted one third from the gross monthly salary of Rs.13,794/- towards the personal and living expenses of the deceased and determined the contribution to the family as Rs.9,196/- per month or Rs.1,10,352/- per annum. It applied the multiplier ‘13’ and arrived at the loss of dependency as Rs.14,34,576/- rounded off to Rs.14,34,600/-.

4.Feeling aggrieved the claimants filed an appeal. The Hig