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2023 Supreme(Del) 3283

IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Gaurang Kanth, J.
National Insurance Co. Ltd. – Appellant
Versus
Satender – Respondent
MAC.APP. 602 of 2013
Decided On : 14-07-2023

Advocates appeared:
Mr. Himanshu Bhushan, Advocate, for the Appellant (through VC).
Mr. Yashpal Sapra and Mr. Jatin Sapra, Advocates, for the Respondent.

A person who has suffered permanent disability in a motor vehicle accident is entitled to compensation under the head of loss of future prospects, and the calculation of such compensation should consider the specific circumstances of the case, including the age and nature of work of the injured person.

Headnote:

Motor Vehicle Act - Compensation for Accident - Sections 166, 140 - [LOSS OF FUTURE PROSPECTS] - The judgment discusses the application of the Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 in a case involving a compensation claim for injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident. The court analyzed the legal provisions and their interpretations, particularly focusing on the compensation under the head of loss of future prospects. The court referred to relevant case laws and emphasized that a person who has suffered permanent disability in an accident caused by a motor vehicle is entitled to compensation under the head of loss of future prospects. The court also addressed the calculation of compensation under this head and modified the Impugned Award accordingly.

Fact of the Case:

The Respondent suffered injuries in a motor vehicle accident and filed a Claim Petition seeking compensation. The Claims Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs. 20,81,422/- to the Respondent. The Appellant challenged the award primarily on three grounds related to the calculation of compensation under different heads.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the Respondent was entitled to compensation under the head of loss of future prospects, contrary to the Appellant's contention. The court also agreed with the Appellant's argument that the Respondent was not entitled to compensation under the head of loss of marriage prospects due to getting married during the pendency of the appeal. The court modified the Impugned Award by reassessing the compensation under various heads, including loss of income, loss of future prospects, medical expenses, and loss of amenities.

Issues: The issues involved in the case included the entitlement to compensation under different heads, the calculation of compensation under the head of loss of future prospects, and the modification of the Impugned Award.

Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the interpretation of legal provisions and relevant case laws, emphasizing the entitlement to compensation under the head of loss of future prospects for a person suffering permanent disability in a motor vehicle accident. The court also considered the specific circumstances of the case, such as the marriage of the Respondent during the pendency of the appeal, in determining the entitlement to compensation under certain heads.

Final Decision: The court partly allowed the appeal and modified the Impugned Award by reassessing the compensation under various heads, ultimately enhancing the total compensation awarded to the Respondent from Rs. 20,81,422/- to Rs. 22,23,142/-. The Appellant was directed to deposit the differential amount with interest, and the statutory deposit was to be released to the Appellant. The Appeal was disposed of with no order as to costs.

JUDGMENT

Gaurang Kanth, J.

1. The present Appeal under Section 173 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as `the Act') has been preferred by the Appellant (original Respondent No. 3) against the Award dated 13.05.2013 (hereinafter referred to as `Impugned Award') passed by learned Additional District & Sessions Judge-cum-Presiding Officer, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Rohini Courts, Delhi (hereinafter referred to as `Claims Tribunal') in MACT No. 39/2011 titled as `Satender v. Sahdev Singh & Ors.'.

2. By way of the Impugned Award, the learned Claims Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs. 20,81,422/- (Rupees Twenty Lakh Eighty One Thousand Four Hundred and Twenty Two Only) to Respondent (original Petitioner) along with interest @ 9% per annum from 31.01.2011 till the date of actual payment. Appellant was directed to pay the said compensation amount, being the insurer of the offending vehicle bearing No. UP-17D-2122, within a period of 30 days from the date of Impugned Award along with accrued interest.

FACTS RELEVANT FOR ADJUDICATION OF THE MATTER

3. Facts of the matter as recorded by the learned Claims Tribunal are as under:

    "On the unfortunate day of 28.11.2010 at about 12.00 AM when the petitioner with his cousin was coming to Delhi from Mujaffar Nagar on his motorcycle and when reached near bus stand Mind Kali PS Budhana Distt. Mujaffar Nagar, the offending car bearing No. UP 17D 2122 being driven by respondent No. 1 very rashly and negligently and without caring the traffic rules during overtaking a truck hit the motorcycle from front side due to which the petitioner and his cousin sustained multiple injuries. Due to the accident the petitioner suffered crush injuries to his right leg and his right leg upto above knee has been amputated by the doctors of Sushruta Trauma Centre. The accident occurred due to negligence on part of respondent No. 1. The FIR was registered in respect of this accident vide FIR No. 912/10, PS Budhana, U/s. 279/338/427 IPC."

4. Since the Respondent suffered injuries in the aforementioned accident, consequently, he filed a Claim Petition bearing MACT No. 39/2011 before the learned Claims Tribunal under Sections 166 and 140 of the Act seeking compensation of Rs. 30,00,000/- along with interest @ 12% from the date of filing of the petition till the date of realization of actual amount.

5. The driver (original Respondent No. 1) of the offending vehicle and owner (original Respondent No. 2) of offending vehicle contested the Claim Petition filed by Respondent by filing a joint written statement. They denied all the allegations of the Respondent and it was their claim that they have been falsely implicated in this case. It was further claimed that the driver of the offending vehicle had a valid driving license. Appellant also filed its written statement wherein it denied all the allegations made by Respondent/Injured.

6. On the basis of the pleadings of the parties, the Claims Tribunal framed the following issues:

    "1. Whether Satender son of Sh. Ram Kishan suffered injuries due to road accident on 28.11.2010 at about 12.00 AM within jurisdiction of PS Budhana, Distt. Mujaffar Nagar, UP due to rash and negligent driving of vehicle No. UP 17D 2122 being driven by respondent No. 1? OPP

    2. Whether the petitioner is entitled to compensation, if so to what an extent and from which of the respondents? OPP.

    3. Relief."

7. At the stage of evidence, Respondent/Injured examined himself as PW-1 and tendered medical bills as Ex. PW1/1, salary certificate as Ex. PW1/2, certified copy of criminal case record as Ex. PW1/3, election card as Ex. PW1/4, and his educational qualification record as Ex. PW1/5. Further, Respondent examined Sh. Sandeep Vyas as PW-2, who tendered appointment letter of Injured dated 03.10.2009 as Ex. PW2/1, confirmation letter of Injured as Ex. PW2/2, and vouchers of salary paid to Injured as Ex. PW2/3. Respondent had moved an application before the learned Claims Tribunal seek

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