The court established that an award dismissed without adequate reasoning must be reconsidered, reinforcing due process rights in administrative decisions.

JUDGMENT

The petitioner challenges Ext.P1 award in OP(MV)

No.4130/2003 of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Thrissur.

2. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that Ext.P1 ex parte award was passed without jurisdiction and therefore it cannot be executed.

3. The learned counsel for the first respondent submits that the petitioner had, in fact, filed an application for setting aside the ex parte award, which also stands dismissed through Ext.P6 order dated 28.08.2014.

4. It is seen from Ext.P6 order in I.A.Nos.6095 of 2013 and

6096 of 2013, namely the applications to set aside the ex parte award and to condone the delay in applying for the same, that the Tribunal held that the applications were not maintainable. No reason as such is given to hold that the applications were not maintainable. It is also seen that the observations made in the orders are in support of the petitioner herein, despite which the applications were dismissed. Under such circumstances, Ext.P6 order cannot be sustained.

5. Accordingly, Ext.P6 order is set aside. There will be a direction to the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Thrissur, to reconsider I.A.Nos.6095 of 2013 and 6096 of 2013 after hearing all the parties and pass appropriate orders, in accordance with law, within two months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment. Needless to say, till fresh orders are passed, as directed above, further coercive action against the petitioner for recovery of the amount under the ex parte award will stand deferred.

6. The parties are directed to appear before the Tribunal on 06.04.2026. The Registry is directed to communicate this judgment to the Tribunal concerned forthwith.

The original petition is disposed of as above.

Sd/-