JUDGMENT :

1. This appeal is preferred by the Appellant/APSRTC, challenging the award dated 08.01.2018 passed in M.V.O.P.No.591/2016 on the file of Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-Prl.District Judge, Nellore, wherein the Tribunal while allowing the petition, awarded compensation of Rs.20,00,000/-with interest @ 7.5% p.a. from the date of petition, till the date of realisation to the petitioners/claimants, for the death of Padarthi Rathnam, in a motor vehicle accident.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties are arrayed as parties before the tribunal.

3. As seen from the record, originally the petitioners filed an application U/s.166 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for brevity “the Act”) claiming compensation of Rs.20,00,000/-on account of the death of Padarthi Rathnam, who is the father of the petitioners No.1 to 4, in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 25.04.2016.

4. The facts show that the deceased Padarthi Rathnam was aged 56 years, worked as Driver in APSRTC Kavali Depot. His wife predeceased him. He used to earn Rs.30,000/-per month and contributing the same to the petitioners. On 25.04.2016 at about 10.30 p.m. on completion of duty in APSRTC Kavali Depot, deceased