2011 Supreme(UK) 67

2011 (2) UAD 146
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
G.S. Singhvi and Asok Kumar Ganguly
Civil Appeal No. 1440 of 2011
SUNIL SHARMA & ORS. – Appellants
Versus
BACHITAR SINGH & ORS. – Respondents
Decided on : 07.02.2011

Headnote:(A) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, Sec. 166 — Motor accident — Claim for compensation — Determination of — Factors — Consideration for — Income computation — Held that superannuation benefits, contributions towards gratuity, insurance of medical policy for self and family and education scholarship were beneficial to the members of the family — Further held that 'just compensation must be determined having regard to the facts and circumstances of each case — And the basis for considering the entire pay packet is what the dependents have lost in view of death of the deceased — It is in the nature of compensation for future loss towards the family income — And that "the amounts, therefore, which were required to be paid to the deceased by his employer by way of perks, should be included for computation of his monthly income — Also, dearness allowance and house rent allowance should be included for computation of income of the deceased. (Paras 8 to 12)

       (B) Claim for Compensation — Deduction for Personal Expenses — Held that where the deceased was married — The deduction towards personal and living expenses of the deceased, should be one-third (1/3rd) — Where the number of dependent family members is 2 to 3, one-fourth (1/4th) — And where the number of dependent family members is 4 to 6 or exceeds 6, one-fifth (1/5th). (Paras 12, 13)

       (C) Revision in Pay Scale — A 'rule of thumb' with respect to addition in income due to future prospects — Held that the addition should be only 30% if the age of the deceased was 40 to 50 years.

        (Paras 15, 16)

       (D) Motor Accident — Claim for compensation — In fatal motor accidents, some amount must always be awarded by way of compensation for loss of love and affection and consortium — Of course it is impossible to compensate for the loss of a life — Rs. 25,000/- for loss of love and affection and consortium awarded. (Paras 16, 17)

       (E) Computation of Compensation in instant case — Annual income Assessed at Rs. 1,84,212.- — Deduction for Personal Expenses Rs. 1,22,800/- — Revision in Pay Scale Rs. 1,59,640/- — Loss of love and affection and consortium Rs. 25,000/- — Applying Multiplier of 14 — Therefore, total compensation Rs. 22,59,966/- rounded off to Rs. 22,60,000/- with interest @ 6% p.a. payable from date of filing claim petition — Awarded. (Paras 8 to 15, 16 to 18)

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       ¼c½ izfrdj dk nkok & O;fDrxr [kpks± ds fy, dVkSrh & fu.kZ; esa dgk x;k tcfd e`rd fookfgr Fkk rks e`rd ds O;fDrxr vkSj jgu lgu lEcfU/kr [kpsZ 1@3 gksus pkfg, tcfd vkfJr ifjokjh; lnL;ksa dh la[;k 2 ls 3 gS rks 1@4 vkSj tgk¡ ij vkfJr ifjokjh; lnL; la[;k 4 ls 6 gS ;k 6 ls vf/kd gS rks 1@5A

        ¼izLrj 12] 13½

       ¼l½ osrueku dk iqujh{k.k & Hkfo"; ds okLrs vk; esa c<+ksÙkjh ds okLrs ^:y vkQ FkEc* izpfyr gS & fu.kZ; esa dgk x;k fd 30 izfr'kr dh c<+ksÙkjh ml n'kk esa dh tkuh pkfg, ;fn e`rd dh vk;q 40 ls 50 o"kZ dh gSA ¼izLrj 15] 16½

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