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2025 Supreme(SC) 32

SANJAY KAROL, PRASANNA B. VARALE
Atul Tiwari – Appellant
Versus
Regional Manager, Oriental Insurance Company Limited – Respondent


Advocates appeared:
For the Petitioner(s): Ms. Aditi Tripathi , AOR
For the Respondent(s): Mr. Abhishek Gola, Adv. Mr. Viresh B. Saharya, AOR

Judgement Key Points

Certainly. Based on the provided legal document, here are the key points:

  • The court emphasizes that money cannot replace a life lost, but efforts should be made to provide just compensation that adequately reflects the damages suffered (!) (!) .

  • In cases of permanent disability resulting from a motor accident, the basis for awarding damages is to compensate the victim fairly for all injuries and losses, acknowledging that perfect compensation is difficult but striving for full and fair recompense (!) (!) .

  • The assessment of damages should consider all relevant heads, including loss of income, medical expenses, attendant charges, transportation, speech therapy, physiotherapy, non-pecuniary damages, and future prospects, with a detailed evaluation of each head based on evidence and medical opinion (!) (!) .

  • The Court recognizes that the multiplier method is the appropriate and accepted approach for calculating future earnings loss, with the multiplier determined by the age of the victim and other relevant factors, ensuring consistency and fairness (!) (!) .

  • When assessing loss of dependency, deductions for personal expenses and appropriate multipliers should be applied to the notional income of the victim, with additions for future prospects based on the victim's age and employment status (!) (!) .

  • The Court notes that damages for non-pecuniary heads, such as loss of amenities, mental pain, and loss of marriage prospects, should be awarded on a reasonable basis, with the understanding that such damages are inherently difficult to quantify but must be just and fair (!) (!) .

  • It is important that the compensation awarded reflects the actual impact on the victim’s earning capacity, considering the extent of permanent disability and its effect on the victim’s ability to work and carry out daily activities (!) (!) .

  • The court underscores that the correctness of the compensation under each head must be scrutinized, and errors or underestimations should be rectified to ensure the victim receives adequate and just compensation (!) (!) .

  • Overall, the court advocates for a comprehensive and fair assessment of all damages, matching the awarded amount with the actual needs and losses suffered by the victim, and correcting any deficiencies in the original award (!) (!) .

Please let me know if you need a detailed analysis or specific legal advice related to this case.


JUDGMENT :

PRASANNA B. VARALE, J.

1. Leave granted.

2. The challenge in the present appeal is to the common order dated 23.09.22 in Misc. Appeal no. 1969/2014 and Misc. Appeal no.2181/2021 whereby the High Court of Madhya Pradesh dismissed the appeal preferred by the respondent herein (Misc. Appeal no. 1969/2014) and had partially allowed the appeal preferred by the petitioner herein (Misc. Appeal no.2181/2021).

3. The factual background is that on 3.10.2009 the petitioner herein was travelling to Panchmarhi with his friend on a motorcycle. They met with an accident with a truck which was being driven on the wrong side and in a negligent manner. The petitioner suffered various serious injuries including injuries to head, jaws, legs, knees, chest and ribs for which the petitioner was operated on three occasions. On account of his serious injuries, the petitioner was rendered 60% permanently disabled. Accordingly, the petitioner through his father and natural guardian filed an application for compensation u/s 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (hereinafter “MACT”), Bhopal Madhya Pradesh. The MACT vide its order dated 30.6.14 allowed the applica

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