Arun Kumar Goel. J. :- Since all these appeals have arisen out of the same award which was passed by the learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Sirmaour at Nahan, except FAO Nos. 116 and 156 of 2002, as such these have been taken up together for hearing at the joint request of the learned counsel for the parties, who submitted that these be disposed of at the earliest keeping in view the interest of large number of claimants. While allowing this prayer of the learned counsel for the parties, these appeals were finally heard. FAO Nos. 116 & 156 of 2002 are against the same award passed by MACT (II), Solan. Learned counsel for the parties present in these two appeals stated that award is common, as such both may be heard alongwith other appeals. They also stated that accident in these two appeals is the same as in other cases.

2. Admitted facts in all these appeals are, that on the night intervening 7th and 8th August, 2000 bus No. HP-1575 was being driven by late Om Singh alias Bablu. Son of Rattan Singh. He was owner-cum-driver of this bus. It was carrying marriage party of Hardev Singh and was on its way from village Bhauri to Dingar kinnaur. At about 12 midnight when it