JUDGMENT :

This appeal under Section 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as “the Act”), has been filed by the appellants/claimants challenging the Judgment and Award dated 16.02.2006 delivered by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-I Additional District Judge, Srikakulam, (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Tribunal”) in M.V.O.P.No.146 of 2001 whereby, the claimants have been awarded the compensation of Rs.3,80,000/- directing the 2nd respondent/Insurer to pay the awarded amount with running interest at 7.5% per annum with proportionate costs of the petition.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties are hereinafter referred to as they are arrayed before the Tribunal in the claim petition.

3. The factual context of the case, is as under:

(a) A 36 year old Ramalingachari was a Junior Assistant in the Office of Deputy Executive Engineer, Panchayat Raj, Srikakulam. At the time of his death, the deceased was drawing a monthly gross salary of Rs.4,875/-. On 04.09.2000 at about 9.00 p.m., the deceased was proceedings on his Scooter bearing No.AHV 8929 towar