J.N.Bhatt, J.

1. The appellant New India Assurance Co. Ltd. has questioned the legality and validity of the common and composite judgment dated 7th February, 2002 and award dated 20th February, 2002, passed in M.A.C.T. Case Nos. 41 and 42 by Shri Amresh Kumar Lal, 6th Additional District Judge-cum-Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chapra in respect of two claim petitions under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter called the "Act"), arising out of a road accident in which two persons lost their lives.

2. The Accident Claims Tribunal, Chapra, awarded an amount of Rs. 2,22,000.00 by way of compensation to the heirs of the first deceased namely, Hari Shankar Sharma, with interest at the rate of 9% whereas the same Tribunal awarded an amount of Rs. 2,10,000.00 with the same rate of interest at 9% to the heirs of the second deceased, namely, Birendra Sharma, from the date of the application, thus giving rise to two appeals.

3. At the time of admission, upon joint request, the two appeals were consolidated and heard together finally by calling the records and proceedings from the Claims Tribunal concerned on merits.

4. Learned Advocates for the parties have offered their submis