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2022 Supreme(Del) 2002

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI
Gaurang Kanth, J.
Rajinder Singh - Appellant
Versus
Balvinder Singh - Respondent
MAC.APP. 1067 of 2013
Decided On : 16-11-2022

The main legal point established in the judgment is the application of principles from Pranay Sethi and Sarla Verma for the calculation of compensation under various heads in fatal accident cases.

Headnote:

Motor Vehicles Act - Compensation Calculation - 173

Fact of the Case:

The appeal was filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against the Award passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal. The deceased was involved in a fatal accident, and the appellant sought enhancement of compensation based on various grounds.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the monthly income of the deceased was correctly assessed at Rs.35,000 and rejected the appellant's request for enhancement. It also upheld the compensation for medical expenses and granted additional compensation under the head 'Conveyance'. The court modified the impugned award and enhanced the compensation from Rs.29,99,038 to Rs.60,24,038.

Issues: The main issues revolved around the assessment of monthly income, medical expenses, and the calculation of compensation under various heads.

Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the principles established in the case of Pranay Sethi for the calculation of compensation under the head 'Future Prospects' and the selection of multiplier based on the age of the deceased. It also applied the legal provisions from Sarla Verma for deductions towards personal and living expenses.

Final Decision: The court modified the impugned award, enhanced the compensation, and directed the Insurance Company to deposit the entire amount with the Registrar General of the Court within a specified period.

JUDGMENT

Gaurang Kanth, J. The present appeal has been preferred by the Appellant under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against the Award dated 29.07.2013 ("impugned award") passed by the Court of learned Presiding Officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (South-1), Saket Courts, New Delhi.

2. By way of impugned award dated 29.07.2013 the learned Claims Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs.29,99,038/- (inclusive of interim award, if any) with interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition till realization of the amount and directed the Insurance Company to pay the entire awarded amount within a period of one month.

SUBMISSION OF THE APPELLANT

3. Mr. Y.P. Laroya, learned counsel for the appellant while seeking enhancement of the compensation contended that the learned Claims Tribunal has passed the impugned award without appreciating the principles of law, documents and the evidence on record. Learned counsel for the appellant further contended that the learned Claims Tribunal erred in calculating the monthly income of the deceased/victim as Rs.35,000/- per month, however, taking into account the deposits made by the deceased/victim, the income of the deceased should be calculated a1 Rs.40,000/- per month. Learned counsel further contended that the learned Claims Tribunal erred in granting compensation under the head `Medical Expenses' to the tune of Rs.45,874/- as the medical bills which have been produced before the learned Claims Tribunal were for an amount of Rs.1,18,818/-. Learned counsel further contended that in terms of dicta of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance Co. Ltd. Vs Pranay Sethi & Ors. reported as (2017) 17 SCC 680, compensation under the head `Future Prospects' is to be paid by adding 40% of the assessed income of the deceased/victim instead of 10%, as awarded by the learned Claims Tribunal. Learned counsel further contended that multiplier should be adopted in terms of dicta laid down in case of Sarla Verma & Ors. Vs DTC & Anr. reported in (2009) 6 SCC 121 which is upheld in the judgment of Pranay Sethi (Supra) whereby it was held that for the purposes of selection of multiplier, the age of the deceased has to be taken into account. He further contended that the deceased/victim was 26 years of age at the time of the incident and 27 years at the time of the death and the learned Claims Tribunal erred in calculating the compensation under the head `Loss of Future Income' by taking the multiplier of 11 instead of 17. Learned counsel while placing reliance on Pranay Sethi (supra) contended that compensation under the head `Loss of Consortium' `Loss of Estate' and `Loss of Funeral Expenses' needs to be modified/enhanced. Learned counsel for the appellant further sought compensation under the head `Conveyance' as the deceased/victim has taken treatment in different hospitals and was shifted from one hospital to another. Learned counsel concluded his arguments seeking compensation under the head `Pain and Mental Agony' suffered by the family members of the deceased/victim.

SUBMISSION OF RESPONDENT NO. 3

4. Mr. Pradeep Gaur, learned counsel for Respondent no. 3 contended that the appeal is liable to be dismissed and no interference in the impugned award is called for by this Court. Learned counsel further contended that the learned Claims Tribunal has correctly assessed the income of the deceased/victim and no modification in the monthly income assessed by the learned Claims Tribunal is required. Learned counsel further contended that the compensation under the head `Medical Expenses' have already been paid to the claimants and as such no modification/enhancement is called for by this Court. Learned counsel for Respondent No. 3 further sought grant of recovery rights to the Insurance company. Learned counsel fairly concedes for grant of compensation under the head `Loss of Consortium' `Loss of Estate' and `Loss of Funeral Expenses' in the terms of Pranay Sethi

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