Honble Prakash Krishna, J.—These are four connected appeals and were heard together and are being disposed by a common judgment.

2. Three claim petitions being M.V. Claim No. 83 of 1974: Jagat Narain Nigam v. Gauri Shanker Paliwal and others, M.V. Claim No. 84 of 1974: Narendra Kumar v. Gauri Shanker Paliwal and others and M.V. Claim No. 85 of 1974: Union of India v. Shri Gauri Shanker Paliwal and others, were filed and they were tried together. All these claim petitions arose on account of an accident which took place on 25th of April, 1974 at about 6.30 p.m. near village Paurhi at a distance of about 28 kilometers from Mathura. Shri Jagat Narain Nigam, the Assistant Collector, Central Excise and Narendra Kumar, Excise Inspector received serious injuries and Jeep No. U.P.C. 7307 belonging to the Central Excise Department of Government of India was damaged. In Claim Petition Nos. 83 and 84 of 1974 damages were claimed for bodily injuries received by the petitioners while in claim petition No. 85 of 1974 the damages for damage caused to the Government vehicle as a result of accident was claimed. Shri Gauri Shanker Paliwal who was respondent No. 1 in all the above three claim