SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
M.R. SHAH, KRISHNA MURARI, JJ.
Smt. Kalavati & Ors. – Appellants
Versus
Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr. – Respondents
Civil Appeal No. 6676 of 2022
With
Smt. Chandrakala & Anr. – Appellants
Versus
Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr. – Respondents
Civil Appeal No. 6677 of 2022
Decided On : 23-09-2022
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- 166 and 168 -- compensation -- death -- deceased working as driver at time of accident -- holding valid driving licence -- tribunal awarded compensation under head 'loss of dependency' considering income of deceased at Rs. 7,500/- per month -- enhanced by High Court considering income at Rs. 8,500/- per month -- claimants entitled to loss of dependency considering income of deceased at Rs. 10,000/- per month -- compensation enhanced applying relevant multiplier. [Paras 4 to 5.1]
JUDGMENT :
M.R. Shah, J.
1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court of Karnataka at Kalaburagi Bench passed in respective First Appeals, the original claimants have preferred the present appeals and have prayed to enhance the amount of compensation.
Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022
2. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court in M.F.A. No. 200507 of 2018 by which the High Court has enhanced the amount of compensation from Rs.10,70,000/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal to Rs.15,98,120/- only, the original claimants have preferred the present appeal.
2.1 The issue involved in the present appeal is in a very narrow compass.
2.2 That the deceased at the time of accident/death was serving as a driver and was holding a valid driving license. According to the original claimants he was earning Rs.15,000/- per month.
2.3 The learned Tribunal awarded the amount of compensation for the death of the deceased at Rs.10,70,000/- under different heads including the loss of dependency. The learned Tribunal considered the loss of dependency at Rs.9,00,000/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.7,500/- per month. By the impugned judgment and order the High Court has enhanced the loss of dependency to Rs.14,28,120/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.8,500/ per month.
2.4 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court, the claimants have preferred the present appeal for enhancing the amount of compensation on loss of dependency considering the income of the deceased at Rs.15,000/- per month.
Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022
3. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court in MFA No.200509 of 2018 by which the High Court has enhanced the amount of compensation from Rs.9,00,000/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal to Rs.12,25,104/- only, the original claimants have preferred the present appeal.
3.1 That the learned Tribunal awarded a total sum of Rs.9,00,000/- under different heads towards the compensation for the death of the deceased – husband of the appellant no.1. The learned Tribunal has awarded the loss of dependency at Rs.7,80,000/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.7,500/-per month. In an appeal the High Court has enhanced the amount of compensation to Rs.12,25,104/- by enhancing the amount of compensation towards loss of dependency at Rs.11,05,104/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.8,500/- per month.
3.2 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court, the original claimants have preferred the present appeal praying to enhance the amount of compensation under the head loss of dependency considering the income of the deceased at Rs.15,000/- per month.
4. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the material on record and considering the fact that the deceased were having driving license and were working as drivers, the claimants shall be entitled to the loss of dependency considering the income of the deceased at least as Rs.10,000/- per month. Thereafter adding 40% towards future prospects and rise in income and applying the relevant multiplier the claimants shall be entitled to the enhanced amount of compensation.
4.1 In the case of Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022 considering the actual income of the deceased as Rs.10,000/-per month and adding 40% towards the future prospects and thereafter deducting 1/3rd towards the personal expenses of the deceased and applying the multiplier of 15 the claimants shall be entitled to Rs.16,18,120/- (instead of Rs.14,28,120/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal) towards the compensation under the head loss of dependency.
4.2 Now so far as the Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022 is concerned, considering the act
Death in motor accident – While awarding loss of dependency, future prospects and rise in income ought to have been considered.
The appropriate method for calculating compensation in wrongful death cases involves reasonable estimations of income and applicable multipliers for loss of dependency.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the calculation of compensation for loss of dependency, including the consideration of actual income, future prospects, and personal expenses.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the determination of compensation for loss of dependency, considering the deceased's expertise in the bakery business, the future prospects of the ....
In motor vehicle accident claims involving the death of a self-employed individual where actual income is not proven, the Court must adopt the notional income prescribed by the State Legal Services A....
The court's decision emphasized the importance of accurately determining the deceased's income for calculating compensation, relying on bank statements and considering fluctuations and deductions.
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