JUDGMENT :

This appeal under Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short ‘M.V.Act’) has been filed by the appellants/petitioners challenging the judgment and award dt.10.05.2011 delivered by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-Principal District Judge, Nellore in M.V.O.P.13 of 2006 granting compensation of a sum of Rs.2,97,500/- along with interest @ 7.5% per annum thereon from the date of presentation of the claim till the date of realization of the amount, against the 1st respondent by exonerating the 2nd respondent i.e., New India Assurance Company Limited on account of the death of Chitluru Chinna Veeraiah (hereinafter referred to as ‘the deceased’) in the road accident occurred on 02.09.2005 at Katavaralla Centre, Uyyalapalli, Nellore District.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties are referred to as they are arrayed before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (hereinafter referred to as "the Tribunal").

3. The factual context of the case is as follows:

(a) On 02.09.2005 at about 5.30 a.m., while the deceased was proceeding on his Hero Honda motorcycle bearing