( 1 ) THESE twenty appeals by the Oriental Fire and General Insurance Co. Ltd. are directed against the common judgment and awards dated January 19, 1982, passed by the Member, Motor accidents Claims Tribunal, Mandya, in Miscellaneous (MVC) Cases Nos. 2 to 21 of 1980, on his file, allowing them and awarding different amounts of compensation in each case and holding all the respondents, including the present appellant insurance company, liable.

( 2 ) THE omnibus bearing Registration No. MER 2790, belonging to respondent No. 1 before the tribunal, was hired by 13 adults and 7 children for making a pilgrimage to various places like udipi, Dharmasthala and other places. After finishing the pilgrimage, they were returning to bangalore by about 10. 30 p. m. on July 19, 20, 1979. Respondent No. 2 before the Tribunal was driving the said omnibus. According to the claimants, he was driving the said omnibus in a rash and negligent manner and at a terrific speed. While the omnibus left the road, the driver, respondent No. 2, before the Tribunal, appears to have jumped out of the omnibus and saved himself. But all the 20 persons who were travelling in the said omnibus died on acc