Sarasamma vs T.M.Soopy

C.Jayachandran, J

The claimants before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Vatakara in O.P(M.V).No.975/2007 are the appellants. They are the legal heirs of one Jayaprakashan, who succumbed to the injuries in an accident which took place on 25.03.2007. The appeal focuses on enhancement of compensation amount awarded by the Tribunal.

Heard Sri.P.M.Habeeb, learned counsel for the appellants and Sri.John Joseph Vettikad, learned standing counsel for the third respondent/insurance company. Perused the records.

Learned counsel for the appellants first invited the attention of this Court to the income reckoned by the Tribunal. As against Rs.5,000/-claimed, the Tribunal has reckoned an income of Rs.3,000/-. Learned counsel also pointed out that the income in terms of Ramachandrappa v. Manager, Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Ltd. [(2011) 13 SCC 236] for the year 2007 is Rs.6,000/-and the same is liable to be taken, uninfluenced by the income claimed in the O.P. This submission was seriously opposed by the learned counsel for the insurance company. It was pointed out that at best, Rs.5,000/- can be taken even if Ramachandrappa supra is to be followed, dehors the fact that no proof has been adduced in support of the income.

In this regard, this Court is of the opinion that, taking into account the purpose of the beneficial legislation, this Court need not pin down the appellants/claimants to the niceties of pleadings. The Act contemplates grant of 'just and reasonablecompensation'.Theauthoritative pronouncement in Ramachandrappa supra enables grant of Rs.6,000/-. If that be so, the income of the deceased need not be confined to Rs.5,000/-claimed, once it is shown that, he is entitled to Rs.6,000/-. Therefore, this Court is inclined to take the income of the deceased at Rs.6,000/- per month.

The  second  contention  raised  by  the  learned counsel is with respect to consortium. Going by the authoritative pronouncement in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi [2017(4) KLT 662 (SC)], all the four legal heirs are entitled to Rs.40,000/- each. Instead of the same, the Tribunal has taken Rs.10,000/- for the wife under the head consortium and Rs.53,000/- under the head love and affection. As regards this submission, learned counsel for the insurance company submitted that, if consortium in terms of Pranay Sethi supra is to be given, then Rs.10,000/- given to the wife and Rs.53,000/- under the head love and affection are to be obliterated. The contention is well conceived and the same is accepted.

The next head is with respect to the funeral expenses, where the Tribunal has granted Rs.10,000/-, as against the entitled sum of Rs.15,000/- going by Pranay Sethi supra. The claim is only to be accepted and allowed. The same is the situation with respect to loss of estate, whereunder the claimants are entitled to Rs.15,000/-. The claimants are also entitled to 10% enhancement to the compensation under the heads 'funeral expenses' and 'loss of estate' as provided in Pranay Sethi supra. Finally, under the head 'future prospects', 25% of income is liable to be taken going by Pranay Sethi. This contention is also accepted.

In the result, this M.A.C.A. is allowed and the compensation amount payable to the claimants/appellants is reworked and indicated in the tabular statement here below.

Sl.

No.

Head of Claim

Amount awarded by the Tribunal

Total amount after enhancement in appeal

1

Loss of Dependency

3,16,800

6,33,600*

2

Consortium

10,000

1,76,000

[44,000 x 4]

3

Love and Affection

53,000

4

Medical Bills and Ambulance Bills

36,860

36,860

5

Funeral Expenses

10,000

16,500

[15000+15000x10/100]

6

Loss of Estate

-

16,500

[15000+15000x10/100]

7

Future Prospects

-

9,90,000**

Total

4,26,660

18,69,460

Amount enhanced = Rs.18,69,460 – Rs.4,26,660/ = Rs.14,42,800/

* [6,000 x 12 x 11 x 4/5]

** [6,000 x 12 x 11 x 125/100]

The Insurance Company shall pay interest for the amount awarded by the Tribunal at the rate directed in the impugned award; and for the enhanced amount, at the rate of 7% from the date of petition. If any amount has already been paid, the same shall be granted set off.

The claimant shall produce the details of the Bank account before the Insurance Company/Tribunal within two months from the date of receipt of a certified copy of this judgment and the amount shall be transferred to the Bank account directly through NEFT/RTGS mode, within a period of one month thereafter. If the Bank account is not given within the time stipulated, it is made clear that, no interest shall run on the enhanced amount after the period stipulated by this Court. However, if the Insurance Company fails to deposit the amount, as directed, interest on the enhanced amount shall also run at the rate ordered by the Tribunal from the date of petition.

The appeal is allowed to the above extent.