IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
MR. JUSTICE R. P. MISRA, MR. JUSTICE SHISHIR KUMAR
UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD. - Appellant
Versus
HAR KUNWAR - Respondents
F. A. F. O. 199 Of 2007
Decided On : 01/29/2007
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - Compensation - Genuine Occupier of Vehicle
Fact of the Case:
The claimants filed a petition for compensation under section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, stating that the deceased was driving a tractor-trolley for the purpose of selling foodgrains, met with an accident, and subsequently died.
Finding of the Court:
The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs. 1,05,000 as compensation, which was contested by the appellant on the grounds of breach of insurance policy conditions and the deceased not being a valid passenger or occupier of the tractor-trolley. The court found that the deceased, carrying food grains for sale, was a genuine occupier of the vehicle, and upheld the compensation awarded by the Claims Tribunal.
Issues: Breach of insurance policy conditions, validity of the deceased as an occupier of the vehicle
Ratio Decidendi: The court held that if a person is traveling with goods in a vehicle, it will be presumed that the person is a genuine occupier of the vehicle, rejecting the appellant's contention.
Final Decision: The appeal was dismissed as the court found no illegality in the order passed by the Claims Tribunal.
( 1 ) HEARD Mr. Amit Singh, learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the respondents.
( 2 ) THE present appeal is arising out of judgment dated 27. 10. 2006 passed by the motor Accidents Claims Tribunal/district judge, Lalitpur in M. A. C. P. No. 9 of 2005 (Har Kunwar v. Usha Rani ). The fact stated in the claim petition is that the claimants-respondents filed the claim petition under section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, for compensation of Rs. 16,20,000. It was stated that on 13. 1. 2005, Nathu Ram deceased was going on a tractor-trolley for the purpose of selling foodgrains in the market at about 1. 30 p. m. Makkhan was driving the tractor and due to his negligence, loop of trolley had broken down and as such, Nathu Ram fell on the road and received serious injuries and subsequently died. Criminal Case No. 27 of 2005, under sections 279, 337, 304-A, Indian Penal code has also been lodged.
( 3 ) MOTOR Accidents Claims Tribunal after considering evidence on record and pleadings of the parties, has only awarded a sum of Rs. 1,05,000 as compensation payable by the appellant. It has been contended that as there is breach of conditions of the insurance policy and the deceased nathu Ram was not a valid passenger or occupier of the tractor-trolley, therefore, no compensation is payable by the insurance company as admittedly Nathu Ram was not owner of the tractor-trolley.
( 4 ) WE have considered the submissions made on behalf of the appellant. It is not disputed that Nathu Ram died due to the aforesaid accident. There is no denial of the factum of the accident which has taken place on 13. 1. 2005. From the record it is clear that the deceased was carrying food grains on the tractor-trolley for the purpose of selling them in the market, therefore, it will be presumed that if the person is travelling with his goods, he is a genuine occupier of said vehicle. The contention raised on behalf of appellant is not acceptable to us. Only a sum of Rs. 1,05,000 has been awarded by Motor Accidents Claims tribunal to the claimants-respondents who admittedly have two minor children.
( 5 ) IN such circumstances, we are of the view that there is no illegality in the order passed by the Claims Tribunal. Appeal is devoid of merit and it is hereby dismissed. Appeal dismissed.
.
AI
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.