( 1 ) HEARD learned advocate Mr. P. V. Nanavati on behalf of the appellant- insurance Company and learned advocate mr. V. B. Gharaniya for respondents - claimants.

( 2 ) IN this group of appeals, award passed by the Motor Accident Claims tribunal at Bhavnagar in M. A. C. Petition no. 202 of 1992 (main matter) with other petitions being Nos. 203, 244, 245, 204, 235, 243, 246, 248, 254, 261, 262, 247, 282, 284, 285, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 307, 308, 309, 310, 263, 264, and 266 of 1992 dated 9th April, 1996 is under challenge.

( 3 ) ALL these claim petitions arising out of one motor vehicular accident which had taken place on 14th January, 1992 at about 0. 30 Hrs. (a. m.) near outskirts of village Ambla on Bhavnagar - Rajkot State highway. As the common question of law and facts are involved in this group of appeals, the subject matter is same award, the Tribunal has consolidated and disposed of by common judgment. The Tribunal had recorded evidence in M. A. C. Petition No. 202 of 1992.

( 4 ) THE brief facts of the case are as under :in the accident in question, one mini luxury bus bearing registration number GJ- 4-T-3049 is involved