IN THE HIGH COURT OF RAJASTHAN AT JAIPUR BENCH
Narendra Singh Dhaddha, J.
Maya Devi and Others – Appellants
Versus
The New India Assurance Company Limited and Others - Respondents
S.B. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal Nos. 4205, 6193 of 2017
Decided On : 05-04-2024
(A) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Compensation - The Tribunal awarded Rs. 24,18,420/- with interest @ 9% per annum, which was challenged by the Insurance Company and enhanced by the claimants. The court found the income of the deceased was rightly calculated but modified the award for loss of consortium, love and affection, and future prospects. (Paras 1, 6, 7)
(B) Appeal - The court considered the arguments of both parties regarding the calculation of compensation and the evidence presented, ultimately modifying the Tribunal's award to ensure just compensation. (Paras 3, 4, 8)
JUDGMENT :
Narendra Singh Dhaddha, J.
1. The instant appeals have arisen out of the judgment and award dated 22.06.2017 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Neem Ka Thana, District Sikar (for short 'the Tribunal') in Claim Case No. 63/2012 titled as "Smt. Maya Devi & Ors. v. The New India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors.", whereby the Tribunal while partly allowing the claim petition, has awarded a sum of Rs. 24,18,420/- along with interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing the claim petition i.e. w.e.f. 08.02.2012 as compensation in favour of the claimants.
2. CMA No. 6193/2017 has been filed by the claimants seeking enhancement of compensation awarded by the Tribunal, whereas CMA No. 4205/2017 has been filed by the Insurance Company challenging the judgment & award passed by the Tribunal on the various grounds.
3. S.B. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 6193/2017:-Learned counsel for the claimants submits that the Tribunal wrongly considered the income of the deceased as Rs. 25,460/- per month. Deceased was earning Rs. 50,000/- per month from wholesale and retail medical business. So, income of the deceased be calculated as Rs. 50,000/- per month. Learned counsel for the claimants also submits that the Tribunal had not awarded any amount under the head of future prospects. As per the age of the deceased i.e. about 51 years, claimants are entitled to get 10% amount towards future prospects. Learned counsel for the claimants also submits that the Tribunal awarded a very meager amount of Rs. 25,000/- to claimant No. 1 towards loss of consortium and Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rs. 25,000/- for each claimant) towards love and affection, whereas it should be Rs. 40,000/- for each claimant. Learned counsel for the claimants also submits that the Tribunal had not awarded any amount towards loss of estate, whereas it should be Rs. 15,000/-. So, judgment and award of the Tribunal be modified accordingly.
4. S.B. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 4205/2017:-Learned counsel for the Insurance Company submits that the Tribunal had not appreciated the evidence led by the parties in right perspective. Learned counsel for the Insurance Company also submits that witness of Insurance Company NAW-1 Shri. Naveen Upadhayay categorically stated that the vehicle insured with the Insurance Company was not mentioned in the Rojnamcha report. It was involved thereafter to get the compensation. Learned counsel for the Insurance Company also submits that claimants failed to prove the negligence of the driver of the alleged vehicle. Learned counsel for the Insurance Company also submits that the Tribunal wrongly considered the income of the deceased as Rs. 25,460/- per month as per the Income Tax Return. Claimants failed to prove the loss of income of the deceased after his death. Learned counsel for the Insurance Company also submits that the Tribunal wrongly awarded amount of Rs. 25,000/- towards funeral expenses, whereas it should be Rs. 15,000/-. So, judgment and award of the Tribunal be modified accordingly.
5. I have considered the arguments advanced by learned counsel for the claimants as well as learned counsel for the Insurance Company.
6. The Tribunal had calculated the income of the deceased on the basis of his Income Tax Returns (Ex.18) which clearly shows that annual income of the deceased was Rs. 3,05,516/- per annum. So, income of the deceased was rightly calculated as Rs. 25,460/- per month but the Tribunal had not awarded any amount towards future prospects. As per the age of the deceased, claimants are entitled to get 10% amount towards future prospects. The Tribunal had awarded a very meager amount of Rs. 25,000/- to claimant No. 1 towards loss of consortium and Rs. 1,00,000/- (Rs. 25,000/- to each claimant) towards love and affection, whereas it should be Rs. 40,000/- for each claimant. The Tribunal also wrongly awarded the amount of Rs. 25,000/- towards funeral expenses, whereas it should be Rs. 15,000/-. The Tribunal had not awarded any amount towards
The court modified the compensation awarded by the Tribunal, emphasizing accurate income assessment and additional compensation for future prospects and loss of consortium.
The court modified the compensation awarded by the Tribunal, emphasizing the need for adjustments in future prospects and other compensatory heads while upholding the Tribunal's findings on negligenc....
The court modified the compensation awarded by the Tribunal, emphasizing the need for accurate income assessment and proper application of multipliers and deductions based on dependents.
The court emphasized the necessity of accurately calculating compensation by including all income components and future prospects, leading to an enhanced award.
The court modified the Tribunal's compensation award, emphasizing the need for adequate consideration of future prospects and other compensation heads in fatal accident claims.
The court modified the compensation awarded by the Tribunal, emphasizing the need to consider future prospects and appropriate deductions for personal expenses in fatal accident claims.
The court modified the compensation awarded by the Tribunal, adjusting the deceased's income calculation and loss of consortium to ensure fair compensation.
The court upheld the Tribunal's compensation award, emphasizing the necessity of cogent evidence for claims regarding income and compensation adjustments.
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