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2023 Supreme(AP) 1538

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATHI
V.GOPALA KRISHNA RAO, J.
United India Insurance Co.Ltd – Appellant
Versus
Shaik Khadar, S/o.Jani and 4 others – Respondent
M.A.C.M.A.No.915 of 2012
Decided on : 13-02-2023

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant : Sri Nagumantri Nageswara Rao
For the Respondents: Sri B.Parameswara Rao

Headnote:(A) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Section 163-A - Claim for compensation for death in road accident - Claimants sought Rs.1,50,000/- for death of unmarried 22-year-old due to negligence in an accident - Tribunal ruled accident involved the vehicle and awarded compensation. (Paras 3, 8, 18)

(B) No Fault Liability - Under Section 140, the claimants are entitled to compensation irrespective of negligence - The accident's occurrence suffices for liability without assessing contributory negligence. (Paras 16, 18)

Facts of the case:
The deceased died after crashing a motorcycle into a telephone pole on 26.10.2008, contributing Rs.3,000/- monthly to his family. The insurance company argued against liability due to alleged negligent driving without sufficient evidence.

Findings of Court:
The Tribunal determined the vehicle involvement in the accident warranted compensation of Rs.1,50,000/- to the claimants, as negligence was not a prerequisite for the claim under the no-fault liability provision.

Issues: The primary issues concerned whether the accident was caused by negligence and if the claimants were entitled to compensation.

Ratio Decidendi: The court ruled that compensation under Section 163-A is claimable regardless of the deceased's fault; the mere occurrence of the accident is sufficient for liability.

Result: Appeal dismissed.

Table of Content
1. death compensation claim for accident. (Para 1 , 2 , 3 , 4)
2. dispute on liability due to deceased's negligence. (Para 5 , 6)
3. tribunal’s findings on accident causation. (Para 8 , 10 , 12)
4. insurance company’s liability related to negligence. (Para 13 , 14 , 15)
5. no fault liability under motor vehicles act. (Para 16 , 17)
6. affirmation of tribunal's compensation award. (Para 18 , 19)

JUDGMENT:

The appellant is second respondent in M.V.O.P.No.1021 of 2009 on the file of the Motor Vehicles Accidents Claims Tribunal (Additional District Judge-cum-Judge, Family Court), Guntur, and the respondents are the petitioners and R1 in the said case.

2. Both the parties in the appeal will be referred to as they are arrayed in claim application.

3. The claimants filed a Claim Petition under section 163-A of MOTOR VEHICLES ACT against the respondents, praying the Tribunal to award an amount of Rs.1,50,000/- towards compensation for the death of unmarried 22 years old Tractor Mechanic in a Motor Vehicle Accident occurred on 26.10.2008 at 11.30 PM.

4. The case of the claimants is that on 26.10.2008, the deceased was coming from Telagapalem village of Ponnur Mandal after dropping his friend at his house on the offending motor cycle, at about 11.30 p.m., while he was passing near Bhavannarayana Swamy Temple, he dashed against the telephone poll situated on the left side of the road, fell down and sustained fatal injuries and he was shifted to Government General Hospital, Guntur in 108 Ambulance, but died while undergoing treatment on that intervening night and police registered a case in Crime No.135 of 2008 under Section 304-A of INDIAN PENAL CODE and investigated the case. The petitioners further pleaded that the deceased used to get Rs.3,000/- per month and contributing the same to his family consisting of his father, brothers and sister.

5. The respondent No.1 remained set exparte. The second respondent filed a written statement contending that because of the negligent driving of the deceased the accident took place, hence, the petitioners are not entitled any compensation.

6. Based on the above pleadings, the Tribunal framed the following issues:

    i. Whether the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the driver of Sujuki motor cycle No.AP 07 K 8503?

    ii. Whether the petitioners are entitled for the compensation? If so, from whom?

    iii. To what relief?

7. On behalf of the petitioners, the first petitioner is examined as PW1 and got marked Ex.A1 and Ex.A2. On behalf of the second respondent, RW1 was examined and Ex.B1 to Ex.B3 were marked.

8. After considering the evidence on record, the Tribunal has given a finding that the accident occurred due to involvement of the offending vehicle and in the said accident the deceased received fatal injuries and died while undergoing treatment and the Tribunal granted an amount of Rs.1,50,000/- to the claimants towards compensation.

9. Aggrieved by the same, the second respondent/Insurance Company filed the present appeal.

10. Now, the point for consideration is:

    Whether the Order of Tribunal needs any interference and the compensation awarded by the Tribunal is just and reasonable?

11. POINT:-

The first petitioner himself is examined as P.W.1 and got marked the certified copy of First Information Report as Ex.A1 and certified copy of Inquest Report as Ex.A2. On behalf of 2nd respondent/appellant herein, their officer in the cadre of Assistant, is examined as RW1 and got marked the copy of Insurance policy as Ex.B1, letter dated 02.11.2009 issued by United India Insurance Company Limited as Ex.B2 and acknowledgment as Ex.B3.

12. Basing on the material on record, the learned Tribunal came to a conclusion that the crime vehicle/two-wheeler is involved in the accident and because of accident the deceased sustained fatal injuries, later succumbed to injuries.

13. The contention of the appellant/Insurance Company is that the liability of Insurance Company does not arise as the deceased hims

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