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Judgment
R.K.Gauba, J
Sunil Dutt Sharma died in motor vehicular accident that occurred on 02.01.2009 involving negligent driving of truck bearing registration no. HR 12A
8635, admittedly insured against third party risk with Oriental Insurance Company (appellant in MAC Appeal No. 744/2010). The members of his
family dependent on him, they being appellants in MAC Appeal No. 780/2011 (collectively, the claimants) instituted accident claim case (suit no.
109/2009) on 13.03.2009, seeking compensation under Section 166, Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The claim was accepted by the tribunal, by judgment
dated 12.08.2010, whereby compensation in the total sum of Rs. 12,68,000/-was awarded with interest @ 7.5 % per annum, the liability having been
fastened on the insurer. The said amount included Rs. 12,48,000/- towards loss of dependency, Rs. 5,000/- each towards loss to estate and funeral
expenses and Rs. 10,000/- towards loss of consortium.
While the insurer by its appeal (MAC Appeal no. 744/2010) questions the computation of loss of dependency submitting that the income was
wrongly assessed at Rs. 12,000/- per month, the claimants by their appeal (MAC Appeal No. 780/2011) raise grievance about the non-pecuniary
damages and rate of interest submitting that the same are inadequate.
It appears that the deceased had submitted income-tax return (ITR) for the assessment year 2006-2007 in September, 2006, copy whereof was
submitted before the tribunal (page 203 of the tribunal’s record). The claimants also led evidence by examining Sunil Sharma (PW-3) and Dinesh
Sharma to prove salary certificates (Ex.PW-1/2 and Ex.PW-1/3), to show that the deceased was working as driver on part time basis with each of
them. It is on the basis of such evidence that the tribunal concluded that the income was Rs. 12,000/- per month, such claim finding corroboration from
the other record including the passbook of the bank account maintained by the deceased. In this view of the matter, this Court declines to interfere
with the finding on the income of the deceased.
In view of the rulings in Rajesh & Ors. v. Rajbir Singh & Ors., (2013) 9 SCC 54 and Shashikala V. Gangalakshmamma (2015) 9 SCC 150, the non-
pecuniary damages are found to be inadequate. The awards of Rs. 1,00,000/- each towards loss of love & affection and loss of consortium and Rs.
25,000/- each towards loss of estate and funeral expenses are granted. Thus, there would be a net increase in the award by (2,50,000 â€" 20,000) Rs.
2,30,000/-(Rupees Two Lakhs Thirty Thousand Only). Ordered accordingly.
The tribunal’s record shows that in para 13 of the impugned judgment (page 85 of the tribunal’s record), that the first claimant Shobha had
died on 13.05.2010. Thus the award was distributed in equal shares amongst the remaining claimants. The sixth claimant Harnand Singh died during
the pendency of the appeal on 16.08.2014 and consequently his name was struck off.
In these circumstances, it is directed that the enhanced portion of the award shall be distributed in equal proportions amongst the remaining
claimants.
The statutory deposit made by the insurance company shall be refunded.
Both appeals are disposed of in above terms.