JUDGMENT :

D.K. Mahajan, J.

This order will dispose of First Appeals from Orders Nos. 33, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 46, 78,'9 and 80 of 1963. These are cross-appeals, four by the State and six by different claimants.

2. The accident occurred on the 23rd of September, 1960, between a car No. PNF 5370 and bus belonging to the Punjab Roadways No. PNJ 6441, on the crossing of the road from Pathankot to Jullundur and the by-pass connecting the Grand Trunk Road between Ambala and Amritsar. The by-pass has been built recently to divert the Grand Trunk Road from the main city. The car was going from Ludhiana to Amritsar and the bus was coming from Pathankot to Jullundur and there was a head-on collision. The bus hit the car in the middle, overturned the car and pushed it to the ditch where it also over-turned along with the car. As a result of this accident, the driver of the Car, Vijay Singh and out of the occupants. Harpal Singh Thapar, Gaya Parshad, a lawyer's clerk and Mr. Sham Krishna Kohli, Advocate were killed. Sat Pal Singh only got injuries. Claims were made on behalf of these persons as follows:

(1) Shrimati Makhan Devi widow of Vijay Singh claimed a sum of Rs. 20,000

(2) Sat Pal Singh clai