SARMA, J. :- These two appeals, namely, M. A. (F) 12 of 1968 and M. A. (F) 23 of 1968 have arisen out of the order of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal at Tezpur dated 30-1-68 passed in Claim Case No. 6 of 1965 instituted on an application filed by Srimati Binu Rani Ao who has been arrayed as respondent No. 1 in both the appeals.

2. In a collision between two vehicles- a jeep No. ASK 2851 owned by M/s. Assam Corporation (hereinafter referred to as the Corporation), a registered partnership firm and a military vehicle No. QC 2453 owned by the Union of India, that took place at Dekargaon a place at a distance of about 4½ miles from Tezpur town on 14-2-65 at about 6 P.M. Srimati Binu Rani Ao who was a gratuitous passenger in the jeep received serious injuries as a result of which she had to be hospitalised for a period of one year nine months and has been crippled for life. The injured filed an application under Section 100 of the Motor Vehicles Act before the Claims Tribunal at Tezpur in April, 1965 against the Corporation and the Union of India claiming a sum of Rs. 75,000 as compensation. The respondent No. 4 (in both the appeals) namely, M/s. Hindusthan General Insurance