( 1 ) THESE cases arise out of the interim awards passed by Motor Accident Claims Tribunal under S. 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as 'the Act' short), requiring the owners and insurers to pay compensation for no fault liability.

( 2 ) IN the former two cases, the labourers who were waiting by the road side, were invited by the truck drivers who offered them wages. They got into the trucks and while travelling, the trucks were involved in accidents causing deaths of some and injuring others. The heir of the two deceased labourers filed claim petitions against the owners and insurers of the trucks.

( 3 ) THE accident leading to M. P. No. 28/94 involved a truck in which several persons including the deceased sitting on the rear side died and some others were injuried. The heirs of one of the deceased persons filed claim petition against the owners and insurers of the truck.

( 4 ) ACCORDING to the Insurance Companies, the policy in each of the three cases clearly stated that it will cover only six employees other than the driver and, therefore, the persons who were gratuitous Passengers, are not covered by the policy, the Insurance Compa