1. Puran Chand, his two sons-Sandeep Mehra & Lalit Mehra and Wife Poonam Mehra succumbed to the injuries received in Motor Accident while traveling in their Maruti Car No. DL-3C-N-8595 from Delhi to Jammu on 12.04.2000, when it was hit by Truck bearing registration No. PB-29-C-9521 near Ajit Palace Bhogpur Punjab.

2. Raj Kumar Mehra, the nephew of Puran Chand, filed Four Claim Petitions claiming compensation for the death of his uncle, cousins-Sandeep Mehra & Lalit Mehra and Aunt Poonam Mehra.

3. Although the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Jammu found Malkiat Singh, the driver of Truck No. PB-29-C-9521 responsible for the rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle, as a result whereof Raj Kumar Mehra's relations died, yet compensation for their death was declined to him on the ground that he was not dependent on the deceased.

4. Aggrieved by the rejection of his Claim preferred in Four Claim Petitions, the appellant has filed these Appeals seeking setting aside of the Award of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Jammu dated 08.08.2003.

5. As common question of law and facts arise in the Appeals, these were taken up for joint consideration.

6. Appearing for the appellant, his

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