IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
N.V. ANJARIA, A.S. SUPEHIA, JJ.
Bhavik @ Bhavin Dwarkadas Vithlani – Appellant
Versus
Ganpatsinh Manubha Jadeja and Others – Respondents
First Appeal No. 2015 of 2018, Civil Application No. 1 of 2018
Decided On : 19-01-2021
Motor Accident Claim - Claimant was driving a scooty motorcycle bearing registration no. GJ-03-CM-2383 at the left side of the road, cautiously and in a moderate speed and when he reached on Kalavad Road, Near Old Jakat Naka, Rajkot at that time, driver of one Toofan Jeep came from behind by driving the Toofan Jeep in a rash and negligent manner, endangering human life and the said Toofan Jeep dashed with the scooty motorcycle of the appellant and the accident took place. It is further the case of the claimant that this accident has taken place due to rash and negligent driving on the part of driver of the Toofan Jeep, due to which the claimant sustained serious injuries
Finding of the Court: claim can be awarded only once. The claimant cannot come back to court for enhancement of award at a later stage praying that something extra has been spent. Therefore, the courts or the tribunals assessing the compensation in a case of 100% disability, especially where there is mental disability also, should take a liberal view of the matter when awarding compensation. While awarding this amount we are not only taking the physical disability but also the mental disability and various other factors. This child will remain bedridden for life. Her mental age will be that of a nine month old child. Effectively, while her body grows, she will remain a small baby. We are dealing with a girl who will physically become a woman but will mentally remain a 9 month old child. This girl will miss out playing with her friends. She cannot communicate; she cannot enjoy the pleasures of life; she cannot even be amused by watching cartoons or films; she will miss out the fun of childhood, the excitement of youth; the pleasures of a marital life; she cannot have children who she can love let alone grandchildren. She will have no pleasure. Her is a vegetable existence. Therefore, we feel in the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case even after taking a very conservative view of the matter an amount payable for the pain and suffering of this child should be at least Rs. 15,00,000/-.
Result: Appeal is allowed
JUDGMENT :
A.S. SUPEHIA, J.
1. The present appeal is directed against the judgment and award dated 09.01.2018 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Main), Rajkot (‘the Tribunal’ for short) in Motor Accident Claim Petition No. 993 of 2010, whereby the Tribunal has partly allowed the claim petition of the appellant by observing that the claimant is entitled to recover an amount of Rs. 26,13,600/- with the proportionate cost with interest @ 9% per annum, from the date of the claim petition till realization from the opponents-respondents herein jointly and severally.
2. Short facts of the case are that:
3. The Tribunal, after examining the entire record and medical condition of the appellant, awarded compensation of Rs. 26,13,600/- with 9% interest, as aforesaid. Different heads, under which the Tribunal awarded the amount, are stated as below:
| Heads | Amount |
| Future loss of income | Rs. 12,09,600/- |
| Pain, shock and suffering | Rs. 2,00,000/- |
| Loss of amenities and enjoyment of life | Rs. 1,00,000/- |
| Attendant Charges, Special diet and Transportation | Rs. 1,00,000/- |
| Medical expenses | Rs. 8,04,000/- |
| Physiotherapy treatment and massage charges | Rs. 1,00,000/- |
| Future medical expenses | Rs. 1,00,000/- |
| Total compensation | Rs. 26,13,600/- |
4. Learned advocate Mr. Premal Rachh appearing on behalf of the appellant-original claimant has submitted that the Tribunal has wrongly taken into consideration the income of the appellant as Rs. 4,000/- per month only on the ground that no cogent evidence regarding the income is placed on record. Learned advocate submitted that the Tribunal has further erred in not appreciating that there is sufficient evidence on record in the form of examination of the appellant's father (Exh.32), deposition of witness (Exh.52) (practicing Income Tax Advisor), documentary evidence (Exh.54 to Exh.57) (Audit Reports and Ledgers of Salary Expenses), pleadings etc. which clearly suggests that the appellant had left studies after First Year B.Com. and was earning monthly salary of Rs. 12,000/- by managing the affairs of the firm i.e. Balaji Telecom owned by father of the appellant. It is also submitted that the appellant was aged about 22 years and had no bad habits and was hale and hearty at the time of the unfortunate accident.
4.1 Learned advocate appearing on behalf of the appellant-original claimant has urged that the Tribunal has erred in awarding an amount of only Rs. 2,00,000/- under the head of pain, shock and sufferings and Rs. 1,00,000/- towards loss of amenities and enjoyment of life. It is contended that there is sufficient evidence on record - oral as well as documentary, in the form of examination of Dr. Dineshbhai Kanjibhai Gajera (Exh.44), Medical Certificate issued by Dr. Gajera (Exh.45), which clearly opines 100% disability and vegetative condition of the appellant-original claimant, which is prevalent even till date. It is also submitted that considering the fact that the Tribunal has already assessed 100% functional disability of the appellant with regard to the serious injuries caused to him and in future also he would require constant assistance and medi
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