The metropolitan transport corporation which figured as the respondent before the tribunal in MACT.O.P.No.258 of 2000 is the appellant herein. The respondents who are the wife and sons of the deceased Elumalai Reddiar, who died in an accident that took place at about 9.00 a.m. on 12. 1999 at the Avadi Bus Terminus had filed a petition under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 before the Tribunal claiming a sum of Rs.1,50,000/- as compensation contending that the above said accident took place due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus belonging to the appellant transport corporation and bearing Regn.No.TN-01 N-2925. It was the further contention of the respondents that the deceased was aged about 65 years at the time of his death and was having a monthly income of Rs.5,000/-. Though they assessed the damages to which they were entitled at Rs.1,60,000/-, they restricted the claim to Rs.1,50,000/-. The claim was resisted by the appellant herein/respondent denying the petition averments regarding the alleged negligence on the part of the driver of the bus and contending that the deceased Elumalai Reddiar tried to get into the bus after the same started its jou