1. F.A.O. Nos. 160 and 161 of 1963 arise out of common facts, which may be set out as under :

On the 14th November, 1961, some school children, including Swaran Kaur (aged 10 years) and Gurmit Kaur, (aged 13 years) accompanied by their Headmistress, Shakuntla Devi, went to Gurdaspur to attend Childrens day celebrations. After attending this function, they proceeded to their village in a bus. At about 3 P.M., the bus stopped on the roadside at village Gurdas Nangal Bus-stand. All the children, together with their Headmistress Shakuntla Devi, alighted from the bus on the left side of the road. They went towards the rear of the vehicle and wanted to cross the road. Another truck No. PNA-4997 driven at high speed by Kartar Singh came from Dhariwal side and knocked down the two children, Swaran Kaur and Gurmit Kaur and caused them injuries. Jasbir Kaur another child also out of fear fell down. After knocking down the children, the truck stopped at some distance from the scene of the accident. The injured were removed to the Civil Hospital, Gurdaspur, and were medically examined. A.S.I. Bidhi Chand reached the Hospital and recorded the statement of Shakuntla Devi, and sent the sa