JUDGMENT :

This is a claimants’ appeal, arising out of the judgment and award passed by Mr. Naresh Singh, the then Motor Accident Claims Tribunal/Special Judge (Dacoity Affected Areas) Etawah dated 31.07.2003, rejecting the claim petition.

2. The seven appellants here are the legal representatives of the late Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who died in a motor accident. A detailed reference to each of the seven appellants before this Court shall be made a little later in this judgment, disclosing their relationship to the deceased and other matters.

3. The facts giving rise to Motor Accident Claims Petition No. 127 of 1997 are that on the 29th of May, 1996, at about half past nine in the evening hours, Dinesh Kumar Tripathi was riding Maruti Car bearing registration No. UP 78L/9280, belonging to a friend of his. The car was proceeding from Kanpur to Agra. As the car reached Village Kanaita within the local limits of Police Station Matsena, District Firozabad, a truck bearing registration No. UP 83/9831 approached from the opposite direction and hit the Maruti Car head-on. As a result of the impact, Dinesh Kumar Tripathi died, whereas all other occupants in the car were badly injured.

4. A First