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2022 Supreme(Bom) 355

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY BENCH AT AURANGABAD
SHRIKANT D. KULKARNI, J.
Ashok Raybhan Kashide – Appellant
Versus
Shivaji S/o Parbatrao Dhale – Respondent
First Appeal No. 530 of 2014
Decided on : 13-01-2022

Advocates:
Advocate Appeared:
For the Appellant :Mr Pavankumar S. Agrawal, Advocate
For the Respondent:Mr. Suhas R. Sirsath, Mr. Vinodkumar R. Mundada, Advocate

Headnote:

Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923 - Section 23, 4-A (3) (a) - Labour - Granite Fell Down On Right Leg - Compensation - Permanent Disability - Whether it is a case of loss of 100% earning capacity due to amputation of right leg of appellant - Whether it is a case of 100% loss of earning capacity – Held, In present case, appellant was working as a labour on vehicle engaged by respondent No.1/owner of vehicle - Appellant/original claimant met with an accident while discharging duty as a labour - His right leg below knee came to be amputed which has caused direct impact on his earning capacity - Now he is unable to work as a labour on vehicle since he has lost his right leg - Having regard to legal position made clear by Supreme Court in above referred citations, it must be held that appellant/original claimant has lost his 100% earning capacity - It is a case of total disablement - As such, findings to that effect recorded by Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner for Employees Compensation need to be set aside - It must be held that it is a case of loss of 100% earning capacity and accordingly, compensation needs to be assessed - On perusing operative part of order of learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner for Employees Compensation, it is noticed that learned Civil Judge has awarded interest @ 6% per annum from date of order till realization of amount - It is a manifest error committed by Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner for Employees Compensation by overlooking amending Act 14 of 1995 - By amending Act, 14 of 1995, Section 9A of Act is amended inter alia, fixing minimum rate of interest to be simple rate at 12% per annum - Respondent Nos. 1 and 2 shall jointly and severally pay total compensation of Rs.7,33,860/- to appellant with interest @ 12% per annum from date of application till realization of amount - After deducting earlier payment, appellant shall be entitled for remaining balance amount of compensation of Rs.3,66,930/- with interest @ 12 % per annum - Appeal allowed.

JUDGMENT :

1. This appeal is directed against the impugned Judgment and award passed in NFA No. 24/2012 by the Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner for Employees Compensation, Hingoli by taking aid of Section 23 of the Employees’ Compensation Act, 1923.

2. Brief facts giving rise to this appeal are as under :-

    (a) The appellant/original claimant was working as a labour on the vehicle/tempo bearing Registration No. MH-26-H-6590 owned by respondent No. 1. He was getting monthly salary of Rs. 6,000/- per month. The appellant along with other labours Bajirao Maske, Shaikh Rafik and Sandeep Ubale were discharging their duty on the vehicle on 04.04.2012 at 11.00 a.m. They went to Kabra Marbles, Hingoli. Arvind Wadkute was diving the vehicle. After loading the goods in the vehicle, they arrived at the house of one Mr Patil. The appellant along with other labours were unloading the goods. While unloading the goods, one sheet of granite fell down on the right leg of the appellant. The right leg of the appellant was fractured. Another labour Bajirao Maske also sustained fracture injury to his right hand. The appellant was taken to Naik Hospital at Hingoli. It was a crush injury to right leg of the appellant. The appellant was admitted in the said hospital from 04.04.2012 to 29.04.2012. The right leg of the appellant came to be amputed. According to the appellant, it is a case of 100% permanent disability and it is a loss of 100% earning capacity. However, the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner for Employees Compensation has determined permanent disability to the extent of 75% and awarded compensation of Rs. 3,66,930/- including expenses of medical treatment etc.

(b) Feeling aggrieved by the impugned Judgment and Award passed by the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner of Employees Compensation, the appellant has preferred this appeal. 3. Heard Mr Pavankumar Agrawal, learned counsel for the appellant/original claimant, Mr Suhas Sirsath, learned counsel for respondent No.1 and Mr Vinodkumar R. Mundada, learned counsel for respondent No.2/United India Insurance Co. Ltd.

4. Mr Agrawal, learned counsel for the appellant took me to the relevant paras of the impugned Judgment and coupled with the evidence. He submitted that right leg of the appellant is amputed. Even though Dr. Bhagwan Pundge has stated that appellant’s disability is 75% and disability certificate to that effect is issued vide Exh. 24, it is a case of 100% loss of earning capacity. The appellant was working as a labour. Due to amputation of his right leg, he is unable to discharge his work as a labour. The appellant is entitled to get compensation by holding that it is a case of 100% loss of earning capacity.

5. Mr Agrawal, learned counsel for the appellant further invited my attention that the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner of Employees Compensation has awarded interest @ 6% per annum which is incorrect in the eye of law. He invited my attention to Section 4-A (3) (a) of the Employees Compensation Act, 1923. As per Section 4-A(3) (a), the appellant/original claimant is entitled to get interest @ 12% per annum. He submitted that the impugned award passed by the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner of Employees Compensation needs to be modified by holding that it is a case of 100% loss of earning capacity.

6. Mr Agrawal, learned counsel for the appellant/original claimant has placed his reliance on following citations in support of his argument :-

    (i) Pratap Narain Singh Deo Vs. Shrinivas Sabatra and Another reported in AIR 1976 SC 222 (1975 STPL 3704 SC)

(ii) Shri Chanappa Nagappa Muchalagoda Vs. Divisional Manager, New India Insurance Company Limited reported in AIR 2020 SC 166 (2019 STPL 13944 SC)

7. Mr Mundada, learned counsel for respondent No. 2 supported to the findings recorded by the learned Civil Judge, Senior Division and Commissioner of Employees Compensation as well as amount of compensati

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