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2004 Supreme(AP) 1067

Andhra Pradesh High Court
Judges : ELIPE DHARMA RAO
New India Assurance Co., Ltd. - Appellant
Versus
Imtiaz Ahmed - Respondent
Decided On : 09-24-04

Headnote:

Indian Penal Code, 1860 - Section 337 - Claim petition – Compensation Claim – Labour – Service – Evidence - Claimant was proceeding with the lorry he could not control his vehicle, as a result of which, the lorry turned turtle and he sustained fracture to his right hand and finger, injuries to his head and all over his body, he filed application before the Labour Court claiming compensation – Held, Judicial is directed to communicate these findings to the Chairmen of Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal and Commissioner for Workmen s compensation and Assistant Commissioner of Labour, dealing with the award of compensation in the State, not to act upon such certificates and his oral testimony in this regard - They are, however, at liberty to determine the percentage of disability independently depending upon the gravity of accident and the evidence adduced on that score – Answered accordingly

ELIPE DHARMA RAO, J.

( 1 ) BOTH the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal and cross-Objections are directed against the order, dated 18-12-2001 in W. C. No. 43 of 2000 (NF), on the file of the Commissioner, workmen s Compensation and Assistant commissioner of Labour, Nizamabad (for short labour Court ).

( 2 ) BRIEF facts of the case are that the claimant is driver under the 2nd respondent. On 2-11-1998 while the claimant was proceeding with the lorry bearing No. GRR- 4768 from Ramapuram to Karimnagar, and when he reached outskirts of Pullur village, at about 9 p. m. , he could not control his vehicle, as a result of which, the lorry turned turtle and he sustained fracture to his right hand and finger, injuries to his head and all over his body. The Police of Manpadu registered a case is Crime No. 82/1998 under section 337 of the Indian Penal Code. The injured was shifted to the Kurnool government Hospital and was treated for three days. He spent Rs. 40,000/- for medical expenditure. The injured is aged about 23 years and is earning Rs. 4,000/- per month by the time of accident. Therefore, he filed application before the Labour Court claiming compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- from the insurance Company, who is the appellant herein and the 2nd respondent.

( 3 ) IN support of his claim, the claimant examined himself as P. W. 1 and got examined Dr. L. Ramulu as P. W. 2 to prove his injuries and marked Exs. A-1 to A-10 on his behalf. No oral or documentary evidence is adduced on behalf of respondents therein.

( 4 ) ON appreciation of both oral and documentary evidence, the Labour Court held that the claimant met with the accident and sustained injuries while he was on duty under 1st respondent therein. Finding that there was 40% permanent partial disability, the Labour Court granted compensation of rs. 1,01,659/- payable by the respondents therein.

( 5 ) ASSAILING the order of the Labour court, the Insurance Company, who is 2nd respondent in WC. No. 43/2000 (NF), filed this appeal contending that the Labour Court erred in fixing the salary of the claimant at rs. 2,000/- without there being any proof about the salary of the claimant/driver. He further contends that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the claimant and hence the Insurance Company is not liable to pay any compensation.

( 6 ) ON the other hand, the claimant filed cross-objections contending that the Labour court acted contrary to law and contrary to secs. 2 (i) and 4 (1) (c) of the Workmen s compensation Act and he sought for enhancement of compensation.

( 7 ) THE learned counsel for the Appellant/ insurance Company, while addressing the arguments, drew the attention of this Court to the oral and documentary evidence adduced by the claimant in the Labour court. There is contradiction and inconsistency in the evidence with regard to the injuries sustained by the claimant. The appellant also drew my attention in respect of the certificate issued by the Government hospital, Kurnool. At the first instance, the claimant was admitted in the Hospital immediately after the accident, wherein it was noticed that there are three injuries on the body of the claimant. The first injury is a lacerated wound over the base of right ring finger. There are two more injuries, which are simple in nature.

( 8 ) WHEN the claimant approached dr. L. Ramulu, he advised him to come to the hospital once in a week for check-up and treatment as he sustained fracture on right fingers and sustained injuries on his backside near hip region. But, he has forgotten to mention the fracture to his right hand, which was stated in his claim petition.

( 9 ) COMING to the evidence of P. W. 2, the doctor, who treated the claimant and gave ex. A-7 certificate and assessed the permanent partial disability as 40% deposed that the injury is on the right hand index finger, contrary to his certificate wherein it was mentioned that the injury is on right hand ring finger.

( 10 ) THEREFORE, in view of the abov






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