JUDGMENT :

1. Aggrieved by the order 16.07.2010in MVOP No.336 of 2002 passed by the Chairman, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum –IV Additional District Judge, Anantapur (for short 'the Tribunal'), the claimant has preferred this appeal seeking enhancement of compensation.

2. The parties will be referred to as arrayed in the MVOP for convenience.

3. The claimant has filed a petition under sections 140 and 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, claiming compensation of Rs.30,000/-on account of the injuries sustained by him in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 24.05.2000.

4. The claimant’s case is that on 24.05.2000 at about 3.20 AM, he boarded the bus bearing No.MEK 9909 (hereinafter refer to as ‘the offending vehicle’) to go to his village. When the offending bus reached Aparna Cloth Centre, its driver drove the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner and lost control over the same and caused the accident. As a result, he received grievous injuries and became permanently disabled.

5. The 1st respondent, who is the owner of the bus, remained exparte.

6. The 2nd respondent filed written statement, contended that there is no negligence on the part of the offending vehicle at the time