IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT INDORE
SUBODH ABHYANKAR, J.
Smt. Mamta Ranawat W/O Late Manoj Ranawat – Appellant
Versus
Harisingh Bhil S/o Shri Tolaram – Respondent
MISC. APPEAL No. 1302 of 2015, MISC. APPEAL No. 1301 of 2015, MISC. APPEAL No. 1305 of 2015, MISC. APPEAL No. 1307 of 2015
Decided on : 19-12-2023
Motor Vehicles Act - Compensation for accident - Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 - [MOTOR VEHICLES ACT] - [Section 173] - The judgment governs the disposal of appeals arising from the same accident. The court considered the facts of the accident, the claims made by the appellants, and the opposition by the insurance company. The court analyzed the evidence, including the statements of the drivers involved, and dismissed the appeals filed by the insurance company. The court enhanced the compensation awarded to the claimants based on the loss of consortium and disability suffered by the appellant.
Fact of the Case:
The accident occurred when a car collided with a motorcycle, causing injuries to the claimants. The claimants filed cases seeking compensation, and the court heard arguments from both the claimants and the insurance company.
Finding of the Court:
The court dismissed the appeals filed by the insurance company and enhanced the compensation awarded to the claimants based on the loss of consortium and disability suffered by the appellant.
Issues: The issues involved the assessment of compensation for the claimants and the opposition by the insurance company regarding their involvement in the accident.
Ratio Decidendi: The court considered the evidence, including the statements of the drivers involved, and applied the legal principles established in the case of Janabai Wd/o Dinkarrao Ghorpade and others vs. M/s ICICI Lombord Insurance Co. Ltd. The court emphasized the need to assess compensation based on the evidence presented and not on the basis of evidence that could have been presented in a criminal trial.
Final Decision: The court dismissed the appeals filed by the insurance company and enhanced the compensation awarded to the claimants based on the loss of consortium and disability suffered by the appellant.
JUDGMENT :
1. This judgment shall also govern the disposal of M.As. No.1301/2015, 1302/2015, 1305/2015 and 1307/2015 as all these appeals have arisen out of the same accident which took place on 31/03/2013. The appeals have been preferred under Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against the award dated 07/02/2015, passed in claim case Nos.28/2013 and 29/2013 by the Additional Member, M.A.C.T., Bagli, District Dewas (M.P.)
2. M.A. No.1301/2015 has been filed by the claimants against the award passed in Claim Case No.28/2013, on account of death of Manoj Ranawat, whereby the appellants/claimants have been awarded the compensation of Rs.21,52,018/-, whereas, M.A. No.1302/2015 has been filed against the award passed in Claim Case No.29/2013, on account of injuries suffered by appellant Mamta Ranawat, whereby the appellant has been awarded the compensation of Rs.1,69,207/-. Whereas, M.A. Nos.1305/2015 and 1307/2015 have been filed by the National Insurance Co. Ltd. on account of false implication in the aforesaid claim cases respectively.
3. In brief, the facts of the case are that the accident in the present case took place on 31/03/2013, when the appellant Mamtabai was strolling along with her husband Manoj Ranawat after having dinner and while they were walking on the side of the road, at that time, a Maruti Car bearing registration No.MP 09 CG-2236 driven rashly and negligently by respondent No.1 dashed against an ongoing motorcycle bearing registration No.MP 41MD-1596, and because of this collision, the vehicles also dashed against appellant Mamtabai and her husband Manoj Ranawat, as a result of which, Manoj Ranawat died on account of the injuries, whereas Mamta also suffered grievous injuries on her spine and other parts of her body. A criminal case was also registered in this regard, and subsequently the appellants/claimants filed the aforesaid claim cases wherein, the learned Claims Tribunal, after recording the evidence, awarded Rs.21,52,018/- in claim case No.28/2013 from which MA No.1301/2015 by claimant, and MA No.1305/2015 by Insurance Co. have arisen, and awarded Rs.1,69,207/- in claim case No.29/2013 from which MA No.1302/2015 by claimant, and MA No.1307/2015 by Insurance Co havre arisen, and being aggrieved of the same, the present appeals have been preferred.
4. Counsel for the appellants/claimants has submitted that the learned claims tribunal has erred in not considering the fact that the amount of consortium is on lower side, and the loss of estate has also not been awarded, and under the other heads also, the award is on lower side. Hence, it is submitted that the award be enhanced appropriately. It is also submitted that so far as MA No.1302/2015 is concerned, which is in respect of the injuries suffered by the appellant Mamtabai, despite the fact that PW/4 Dr. Yogesh Walimbe has certified that the appellant has suffered 50% permanent disability including her left hand and left leg but the claims tribunal has not considered the same. Thus, it is submitted that the assessment ought to have been made on the basis of the percentage of disability and under the other heads also, the amount is on lower side.
5. Counsel for the respondent No.3/insurance company(appellant in M.A.No.1305/2015 and 1307/2015), on the other hand has opposed the prayer and it is submitted that the insurance company has also filed M.A. No.1305/2015 and 1307/2015 on the ground that the insurance company has been falsely involved in the case as the initial FIR was lodged on 31/03/2013, only against the motorcycle and there is no reference of any car being involved in the case. It is submitted that subsequently when it was found by the claimants that the motorcycle was not insured, a false case has been concocted and it is projected that the collusion was between the motorcycle and the car because of which, the appellant Mamta and her husb
Magma General Insurance Co. Ltd. vs. Nanu Ram and others reported as 2018 ACJ 2782
AI
The court determined that despite initial perceptions of murder, the evidence supported the incident as a motor accident, warranting compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The court clarifies the burden of proof in accident claims, stating that evidence must meet the standard of preponderance of probability rather than beyond a reasonable doubt.
Insurance liability persists despite premium payment issues if policy was valid at the accident time, ensuring just compensation aligns with social welfare legislation principles.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the determination of compensation in motor accident cases based on the assessment of loss of dependency, future prospects, and other related factor....
The principle that in motor accident claims, the burden of proof lies on the claimant to establish the case on the preponderance of probabilities, and the Tribunal is not strictly bound by the rules ....
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.