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1985 Supreme(Raj) 386

RAJASTHAN HIGH COURT
A.K.Mathur, J.
L.Rs. of Om Prakash : Smt. Maya and Ors. - Appellant
Versus
Mahendra Pal and Ors. - Respondent
S.B. Civil Misc. Appeal No. 94 of 1985.
Decided On : 1-03-1985

The exception contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act allows claims related to the loss caused to the estate of the deceased to survive, enabling legal representatives to pursue such claims.

Headnote:

Actio personalis Mortiur Cum persona - Motor Accident Claims - The court held that the claims raised by the legal representatives of the deceased in the claim petition, except for specific items, can be tried by the tribunal based on the exception contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act.

Fact of the Case:

An accident occurred, resulting in injuries to Om Prakash. He filed a claim petition for compensation but died before the case was concluded. The legal representatives sought to be substituted as claimants, but their application was rejected by the tribunal.

Finding of the Court:

The court found that the claims related to the loss caused to the estate of the deceased can survive based on the exception contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act. It upheld the contention that most claims raised by the legal representatives, except for specific items, can be tried by the tribunal.

Issues: The main issue was whether the legal representatives of the deceased could be substituted as claimants in the claim petition after the death of the deceased.

Ratio Decidendi: The court applied the principle of Actio personalis Mortiur Cum persona and the exception contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act to determine that most claims raised by the legal representatives can be tried by the tribunal.

Final Decision: The appeal was partly allowed, and the court directed the tribunal to examine the claims mentioned in the claim petition of the legal representatives, except for specific items, and dispose of the matter expeditiously.

JUDGMENT

1. - This appeal is directed against the judgment and award dated 10-12-1984 passed by the Motor Accident claims Tribunal, Jodhpur.

2. The brief facts giving rise to this appeal are that an accident took place on 1-3-1982 at 6.15 P.M. with the truck bearing No. RJR 7224 which was driven in a rash and negligent manner and it struck against one Om Prakash. As a result of this accident Om Prakash received the following injuries:

(1) Bruise 1.5 cm x 1.0 cm on the Rt. upper lid lot half and adjacent Eye brow.

(2) Lacerated wound 6.2 cm. x 6.2 cm. musseles deep on the lat aspect of Rt. knee joint.

(3) An abrasion 2.0 cm. x 1.0 cm. ent lat aspect of Rt. leg at its middle.
He filed a claim petition before the Tribunal claiming compensation for the aforesaid injuries to the tune of Rs. 75,000/-. While the claim petition was pending, Om Prakash died as a result of heart attack on 19-1-1984. Therefore, an application was made by the legal representatives of deceased Om Prakash before the learned Tribunal that they may be substituted as claimants in the claim petition. That application was rejected by the order of the learned Tribunal dated 10-12-1984 in to to and it was held that since the action was Action personal is Mortiur Cum persona therefore, the legal representatives of the deceased cannot be substituted as the action for a personal (bodily) injury died with the death of the person. Aggrieved against this, the present appeal has been filed by the legal representatives of the deceased Om Prakash.

3. Mr. Parihar, learned Counsel for the appellant submitted that it is true that the English doctrine Actio personalis Mortiur Cum persona is applicable in the present case by virtue of Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, but the action so far as it relates to the loss caused to the estate of the deceased will survive and that action will not die with the death of the deceased. In support of his aforesaid contention, learned Counsel has invited my attention to Sampati Lal v. Hari Singh 1985 RLW 220 . In that connection, it was observed as under:

"The maxim Actio personalis Mortiur Cum persona relates only to the personal or bodily injuries and not to the loss caused to the estate of the deceased by the tort feasor. In this way, this maxim stands considerably abrogated or modified by the provisions of Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act. Sections 306 clearly lays down that all demands whatsoever and all rights to prosecute or defend in an action or special proceeding existing in favour of or against a person at the time of his death survive except cause of action for defamation etc., which come to an end with the death of the injured. The loss to the estate is, thus, not covered by the exception contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act."

4. Therefore, learned Counsel submitted that the claim which was personal to the deceased that will not survive but other claims which relate to his estate that claim cannot die with the death of the claimant. In this connection learned Counsel submitted that so far as the claim mentioned in the claim petition at item No. (a) for a sum of Rs. 33,000/- for mental agony that cannot be tried likewise the claim at item No. (c) claiming a sum of Rs. 20,000/- for disability on account of leg injury that cannot be tried, but rest of the claim namely the amount which has been spent on treatment, medicine, nourishment and other appurtenant to such nature that can certainly be tried.

5. Mr. Bhansali, learned Counsel for the respondents has opposed the request of Mr. Parihar.

6. I have heard both the learned Counsel and have also perused the record. It is true that personal action dies with the person, this principle of Actio-personalis Mortiur Cum persona has been recognised by the Indian Courts also. But the exception is contained in Section 306 of the Indian Succession Act, which saves the action to the extent of loss to the estate of the deceased. This has been laid down by this Court in S



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