IN THE GAUHATI HIGH COURT (HIGH COURT OF ASSAM, NAGALAND, MIZORAM AND ARUNACHAL PRADESH)
SANJEEV KUMAR SHARMA, J.
Probe Bala Debi @ Purbeswari Debi W/o Late Dinesh Ch. Barman – Appellant
Versus
The Divisional Manager The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. and Others – Respondents
MAC App. No. 505 of 2017
Decided On : 13-03-2026
| Table of Content |
|---|
| 1. accidental death and liability details (Para 2 , 3 , 4 , 5) |
| 2. challenges to tribunal's findings (Para 11 , 12) |
| 3. calculation of multiplier for compensation (Para 14 , 15 , 16) |
| 4. proof of income and document validity (Para 18 , 19 , 20) |
| 5. just compensation principles outlined (Para 22 , 23 , 24) |
| 6. final compensation amount and interest decision (Para 25 , 27 , 28 , 29) |
| 7. disposal order and procedural directives (Para 31 , 32) |
JUDGMENT :
SANJEEV KUMAR SHARMA, J.
1. Heard Mr. H Das learned counsel for the appellants and Mr. RC Paul, learned counsel for the respondent No. 1, Insurance Company.
2. This appeal is directed against the judgment & order dated 24.09.2013 in MAC Case No. 73/2007 passed by the learned Member Motor Accident Claim Tribunal, Goalpara awarding the compensation to your appellants Rs. 3,80,000/- (Rupees three lakhs eighty thousand) only with 50% interest.
3. The learned counsel for the appellant submits that the appellants, as claimants, filed a claim petition before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Goalpara claiming compensation of Rs. 6 (six) lakhs only along with her 2 (two) sons and 4 (four) daughters on account of the accidental death of her husband/father Late Dinesh Ch. Barman on 12.02.2016 at village Kumurigaon on N.H. 31 caused by a vehicle bearing No. AS-17/7196 (Bus). The said claim petition was registered and numbered as MAC Case No. 73/2007.
4. The claim petition reveals that on 12/02/2006 near Kumurigaon on N.H- 31 the husband/father of the claimants namely Dinesh Ch. Barman (since deceasd) was knocked by a bus bearing registration No. AS-17/1796 (Bus) due to rash and negligent driving, by the driver of the said offending vehicle. The alleged bus was coming from Chapar and going towards Bilashipara. As a result of this accident, the deceased Dinesh Ch. Barman died on the spot. In this regard, Chapar Police Station registered its P.S Case No. 28/2006, u/s 279/304(A) IPC as per FIR (Ect.2), Charge Sheet (EXT.3) and claim petition.
5. The offending vehicle bearing registration No. AS-17/1796 (Bus) was insured with Opp. Party No. 1 i.e. New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Bongaigaon Division, Chakpaguri Road, Bongaigaon, vide policy Cover Note No. 123414, valid up to 08/08/06. The Opp. Party No. 2 Sri. Heemanshu Sarkar, S/o Late Hemanta Kr. Sarkar, Vill. North Raypur, P.S Golakganj, Dist. Dhubri (Assam) was owner of the offending vehicle No. AS-17/1796 (Bus) at the time of accident.
While the Opp. Party No. 3 Sri. Paresh Das, S/o Lt. Radha Kanta Das, Vill. North Raypur, P.S Golakganj, Dist. Dhubri (Assam) was driver of the said offending vehicle No. AS-17/1796 (Bus) at the time of accident, having D/L being No.4011/Kjr/96, valid up to 04/03/2007.
6. On receipt of notice of the aforesaid claim petition, out of the 3 opposite parties only O.P. No. 1 filed their W.S. and contested the proceedings. However, O.P. Nos. 2 and 3 did not participate in the said proceedings in spite of receiving their notices.
7. The learned Member of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Goalpara, on the basis of the pleadings of the parties, framed three issues. On behalf of the appellants/claimants, they examined witnesses and exhibited a number of documents. However, no rebuttal evidence was led from the side of the opposite parties.
8. The learned Member of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Goalpara, after hearing the parties, delivered the judgment and award on 24.09.2013 in MAC Case No. 73/2007 awarding compensation of Rs. 3,80,000/- only to the claimants/appellants with 5% interest.
9. Being aggrieved and dissatisfied with the aforesaid judgment and order dated 24.09.2013, the appellant also filed a petition on 10.10.2013 under Section 151 and under Order 47 of the C.P.C. for review of the said judgment and order. However, the same was withdrawn vide order dated 24.06.2015 in Misc. (R) Case No. 26/2013 arising out of MAC Case No. 73/2007 passed by the learned Member, MACT, Goalpara.
10. Hence, the appellant has p
Sarla Verma & Ors. vs. Delhi Transport Corporation & Anr.
National Insurance Company Limited vs. Pranay Sethi & Ors.
Magma General Insurance Company Limited vs. Nanu Ram @ Chuhru Ram & Ors.
Municipal Corporation of Delhi vs. Uphaar Tragedy Victims Association and Others
Compensation can exceed the amount claimed if justified by evidence; the appropriate multiplier for dependents and deductions should adhere to established guidelines.
Compensation for loss of dependency must include future prospects, the appropriate multiplier must reflect the deceased's age, and conventional heads should follow established judicial guidelines.
In motor accident claims, where documentary evidence of income is absent, courts may use minimum wage notifications as a baseline while applying reasonable guesswork to determine actual income. Compe....
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.