2010 Supreme(Raj) 57
2010(2) CCR 1231 (Delhi)
(Delhi High Court)
P.P. Rao Vs. New India Assurance Co. Ltd. (Midha, J.)
HON'BLE J.R. MIDHA, J.
P.P. Rao
Versus
New India Assurance Co. Ltd. & Ors.
MAC. APP. No. 468/2009, decided on 13.01.2010
P.R. Thakur, K.K. Pahuja and G. Shukla, for Appellant;
Abhishek Kumar, for Respondents
Headnote:Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Secs. 142, 168 and 173 — Injury matter — Fracture of right hand — Surgery performed — Right hand remained under plaster for one month — Tribunal awarded Rs. 1,70,850/- as compensation — Appeal for enhancement of award amount — Plea of appellant that no compensation awarded for loss of income — Held — From income tax returns of various years, it is proved that net income of appellant from profession was Rs. 3,02,47,165/- — It appears that average income of appellant from his appearances in the Court per working day was Rs. 1,32,167 — Appellant was not appeared in Court on eight working days, therefore, loss of income deducting all expenses is computed Rs. 7,00,000/- according to per day average income — Rs. 1,70,850/- had already awarded by tribunal in other heads — Accordingly appellant is entitled to get Rs. 8,70,850/- as total compensation — Award modified to above extent.
(Paras 6, 7 & 11)
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2. The accident dated 8th November, 2006 resulted in injuries to the appellant. The appellant was crossing the road in between two speed breakers near Gate No.2, Sector 15-A, Noida (UP) while going for a morning walk when he was hit by Tata Indica Car bearing No.DL-1Y-9173 being driven rashly and negligently by respondent No.2. The appellant fell down as a result of the accident and suffered injuries on his right hand. The appellant was admitted in Kailash Hospital and Research Centre at Noida where he remained admitted for one day.
3. The appellant suffered deep laceration in web space of index and middle finger (L). #dislocation of index and middle finger. The surgery was performed on the appellant and his right hand remained under plaster from 8th November, 2006 to 9th December, 2006. Due to the injuries suffered, the appellant could not appear in the Court up to 19th November, 2006.
4. The learned Tribunal has awarded Rs.55,850/- towards cost of medicines and treatment, Rs.50,000/- towards pain and suffering, Rs.40,000/- towards special diet and Rs.25,000/- towards conveyance. The total compensation awarded is Rs.1,70,850/-.
5. The only ground urged by learned counsel for the appellant at the time of hearing of this appeal is that the appellant suffered loss of income due to the injuries suffered in the accident and no compensation has been awarded by the learned Tribunal for loss of income. The learned counsel further submits that the appellant could not appear in the Hon’ble Supreme Court from 8th November, 2006 to 19th November, 2006 and is entitled to loss of income on account of non-appearance for the said period. The learned counsel further submits that from 20th November, 2006 to 9th December, 2006, the appellant occasionally appeared in the Court and is also entitled to partial loss of income during the period as well.
6. The appellant appeared in the witness box as PW-1 before the learned Tribunal and proved the Income Tax Returns for the years 2003-04, 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07 as Ex.PW1/20 to Ex.PW1/23. The appellant stated in the witness box that he suffered loss of professional income from 8th November, 2006 to 19th November, 2006 completely. In the Income Tax Return for the relevant year, the gross income of the appellant from all sources was Rs.3,75,20,374/- and after deducting income of Rs.21,95,357/- from property and Rs.50,77,852/- from interest, the net income from profession was Rs.3,02,47,165/-. The appellant was able to give opinions and also attend conferences in office and the income during the relevant year from opinions, conferences, settlements and chamber advice was Rs.69,85,817/- and after deducting same from the professional income, the net income of the appellant from appearances in the Court during 2006 – 2007 was Rs.2,32,61,348/-. The average income of the appellant from his appearances in the Court per working day during 2006 – 2007 (176 working days) was Rs.1,32,167/-.
7. From 8th November, 2006 to 19th November, 2006, there were eight working days and the loss of income at the rate of Rs.1,32,167/- per day was Rs.10,57,336/-. The expenses of the appellant during the years 2006-2007 had been Rs.17,27,725/- out of gross professional income of Rs.3,19,74,890/- which is 5.4% of the gross professional receipts. After deducting 5.4% towards expenses, the loss of the appellant is computed to be Rs.10,00,240/-, rounded off as Rs.10,00,000/-. The Income Tax at the rate of 30% is to be deducted from the said amount and the net loss of the appellant during the period from 8th November, 2006 to 19th November, 2006 is computed to be Rs.7,00,000/-. The detailed calculation is as under:-
1. Gross income from all sources (Net income from all sources) Rs.3,75,20,374.00
Less I. Income from proper