S.K. Kulshrestha and S.K. Seth, JJ.
Umrao Singh v. Bharatlal and others
Miscellaneous Appeal No. 2313 of 2006 (I); Decided on 17.1.2007.*
(2) Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 -- S. 147 (1) (b) (i) -- claimant travelling in trolley with his goods -- insurer liable to pay compensation. 2004 (2) BLJ 179 (SC) distinguished. [Paras 5 & 6
¼1½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 168 && {kfr dk ekeyk && ckb± ÅfoZdk lkeku lfgr vfLFk dk vfLFkHkax && :- 55]000@& dk izfrdj && U;k;laxr vkSj mfpr gSA ¼iSjk 4
¼2½ eksVj ;ku vf/kfu;e] 1988 && /kkjk 147 ¼1½ ¼[k½ ¼1½ && nkosnkj }kjk vius lkeku lfgr Vªkyh esa ;k=k && chekdrkZ izfrdj dk lank; djus ds fy, nk;h gSA 2004 ¼2½ ch ,y ts 179 ¼mPpre U;k-½ izHksfnrA ¼iSjk 5 ,oa 6
Kulshrestha, J. -- 1. This appeal is directed against the award dated 12.4.2006 of the MACT Ratlam in Claim Case No. 109/04, by which for the injuries sustained by the appellant in an accident, the appellant has been awarded a sum of Rs. 55,000/- against the claim of Rs. 12,75,000/-.
2. According to the applicant (appellant), on 29.12.2003 when he was travelling as representative of owner of the goods in the trolley of a tractor with the agricultural produce namely onion, as the tractor trolley reached Barbodna, on account of rash and negligent driving of tractor by respondent No. 1 Bharatlal, the trolley over turned resulting in the fracture of left femur bone of the applicant. He was rushed to the District Hospital, Ratlam for treatment and the report of the accident was lodged at Police Station, Namli. Since his bone did not unite, he had to proceed to Udaipur for treatment in the Jagruti Orthopedics Hospital where a rod was inserted in the bones. Since compensation as demanded was not awarded and the Insurance Company was exonerated, the appellant has filed this appeal under S. 173 of the Motor Vehicle Act (for short the Act).
3. In defending the case, the Insurance Company filed a written statement and pleaded that the vehicle was being plied in breach of conditions of the policy with the result the Insurance Company was relieved of its obligation to pay compensation. It was further pleaded that in the event the Insurance Company is saddled with the liability to pay compensation, right may be reserved to the Insurance Company to recover the amount of compensation together with interest paid by the Insurance Company from the claimants.
4. Though learned counsel for appellant submits that the amount of Rs. 55,000/- awarded by the Tribunal is neither just or proper nor commensurate with the harm suffered, we find that the Tribunal has taken into consideration all factors in coming to the conclusion that the appellant was entitled only to Rs. 55,000/-. In determining the said amount, the Tribunal took into consideration the medical expenses of Rs. 17,000/-, transport Rs. 3,000/-, loss of income Rs. 5,000/-, general damages of Rs. 15,000/- and Rs. 15,000/- for pain and suffering. Since we find that the compensation awarded is adequate, we now proceed to decide the real contest between the parties namely the liability of the Insurance Company.
5. In view of the testimony of PW 1 Umarao Singh (claimant) and PW 2 Rajendrasingh, witness supporting claimant, the claimant contended that he was in the trolley with the goods. Learned counsel for respondent submits that no document from the police station was produced to the effect that agriculture produce was being transported in the trolley under the care of the appellant. Nothing has been shown to indicate that the agricultural produce was in fact seized by the police. In a case of accident, what is normally seized is the motor vehicle and, therefore, in absence of any documentary or oral evidence, we are unable to appreciate the argument of learned counsel for respondent that evidence to the effect that agricultural produce was seized by the police, was not produced before the Tribunal. Under these circumstances, merely on account of the failure to obtain police documents which mayor may not contain seizure of the goods that were carried in the trolley, we do not find any substance in said contention. Under S. 147 (1) (b) (i) of the Act, the Insurance Company is liable to pay compensation in respect of owner of the goods or his authorized representative. Under these circumstances, the Insurance Company cannot wriggle out of its liability for payment of the amount with which other respondents, namely owner and driver of vehicle, are saddled. The contention of the learned counsel for respondent is that there is nothing to indicate that the appellant was travelling as owner of the goods or as agent of the owner of goods. It is not disputed that the Insurance Company has covered the r
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