A. Sainulabdeen and Others vs Baiju D. and Others

P.V. Asha, J—Legal heirs of deceased Nawaz have filed this appeal seeking enhancement in compensation. Deceased Nawaz met with an accident on 14.05.2005 on collision of the motorcycle, which he was riding, with another motorcycle, while he was riding along Alappuzha-Thanneermukkam road, causing fatal injuries to him.

Claim petition was filed seeking compensation of Rs. 12 lakhs. The Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs. 3,30,000/-. Enhanced compensation is sought aggrieved by the inadequacy on various heads of compensation in the award passed by the Tribunal.

We heard the learned counsel appearing on either side.

PWs 1 to 3 were examined on behalf of the appellants and documentary evidence consisted of Exts. A1 t0 A17. The respondents did not adduce any evidence apart from the production of documents Exts. B1 to B4 relating to the insurance policy, R.C book etc.

The claim of the appellants was that the deceased was earning a monthly income of Rs. 15,000/-. In support of that claim, salary certificate Ext. A7 from L.G Sea Foods, Palluruthy, was produced to the effect that he was working as Purchase Manager there, from November, 2003 onwards on part-time basis on a consolidated payment of Rs. 6,500/- per mensem. Ext. A8 certificate was produced to show that he was a partner and part-time manager of Appus Ladies Stores and Gold Covering, Alappuzha, earning a sum of Rs. 8,000/- towards share of profit and salary. Apart from that an advice memo issued by Public Service Commission, for appointment of the deceased as a Police Constable, was produced as Ext. A10. Ext. A15 was produced to show that the deceased was having foreign work permit and Ext. A16 driving license as well as Ext. A17 passport were also produced in support of the claim regarding qualification and capability of the deceased. Apart from that, the deceased was a certificate holder in the trade of Electrician from the Institute of Engineering Technology, Alappuzha. The Tribunal reckoned his income as Rs. 5,000/- and a sum of Rs. 3 lakhs was awarded as compensation towards loss of dependency.

Having regard to the qualification acquired by the deceased and his avocations in various fields, we are of the view that a sum of Rs. 7,500/- can be reckoned as the monthly income of the deceased. As the deceased was of the age of 27 years and was unmarried, the proper multiplier is 17 and 50% of the income has to be deducted towards personal expenses. Therefore the compensation under the head, loss of dependency will come to Rs. 7,500 X 12 X 17 X 50/100 = Rs. 7,65,000/-.

The Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs. 15,000/-towards loss of love and affection, Rs. 10,000/- towards pain and suffering and Rs. 3,000/- towards funeral expenses, which require modification in the light of the decision of the Apex Court in Rajesh and Others Vs. Rajbir Singh and Others, (2013) 2 ACC 841 : (2013) ACJ 1403 : (2013) 3 CTC 883 : (2013) 8 JT 288 : (2014) 173 PLR 779 : (2013) 3 RCR(Civil) 170 : (2013) 6 SCALE 563 : (2013) 9 SCC 54 : (2014) 1 SCC(L&S) 149 . Therefore we enhance the compensation under the heads, loss of love and affection to Rs. 1,00,000/- and funeral expenses to Rs. 25,000/-and further award a sum of Rs. 25,000/- towards loss of estate.

The award passed by the Tribunal is accordingly modified as follows:

Appellants 1 and 2 will be entitled to a total compensation of Rs. 9,27,000/- (Rupees Nine lakhs and twenty seven thousand only), which can be shared among them equally. The enhanced compensation will carry interest @ 9% per annum from the date of petition. The Insurance Company is directed to deposit the entire amount of compensation, less the amount already paid, within 3 months from the date of receipt of a copy of this judgment and on such deposit being made, the claimants can withdraw the amount.

The appeal is allowed accordingly. The parties will bear their respective costs in this appeal.