Kamli W/O Thakur Dass v. Boby Chauhan
Case brief
What is this about?
FAO(MVA) 50 & 51 of 2024 | Kamli (spelled Kamali in petitions) & others v. Boby Chauhan & others | High Court of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla | 2025:HHC:33881 | decided 07.10.2025 (reserved 16.7.2025) | Vivek Singh Thakur, J. | Fatal motor-accident appeals reversing MACT dismissal 'for failure to prove rash and negligent driving': FIR No. 124/2016 dated 28.8.2016 (PS Karsog) undisputed by any party treated as sufficiently corroborated; Section 154 CrPC informant statement; offence under Sections 279/337/304-A IPC; deceased driver Gian Chand could not be summoned. All framed issues must be decided at final adjudication (Prithvi Raj Jhingta AIR 2007 HP 11 (FB); Sathyanath (2022) 7 SCC 644; Civil Appeal 1842/2024 dt. 8.2.2024) but no remand after 9 years. Validity: LMV driving licence 25.6.2012–27.8.2032 (Bajaj Alliance (2025) 3 SCC 95); RC/fitness valid to 15.1.2026; Private Car Package Policy 3.11.2015–2.11.2016, no exclusions, 5 seats/4 occupants — insurer liable to indemnify. Section 50 MV Act transfer timeline: agreement 6.8.2016, NOC 9.8.2016, 30-day reporting window; transfer incomplete at accident, so registered owner Boby Chauhan liable despite sale to Gian Chand (Naveen Kumar (2018) 3 SCC 1; Prakash Chand Daga (2019) 2 SCC 747; Surendra Kumar Bhilawe (2020) 18 SCC 224; Vaibhav Jain (2025) 2 SCC 208). Quantum: minimum wages ₹200/day → ₹6,000 p.m. each; 40% future prospects; 1/3 deduction; multiplier 16 (age 33); 25% notional addition for housewife Neetu Devi (Kirti v OIC 2021 (1) ACJ 1); conventional heads per Pranay Sethi (2017) 16 SCC 680 and Megma (2018) 18 SCC 130 — awards ₹14,94,000 and ₹12,25,200; interest slashed 9% → 6% p.a. from 9.6.2017; insurer to pay directly or deposit in Court Registry by 31.10.2025. Keywords: Shalini Mod curve; gorge roll-down ~150 m; Ford Figo HP-06A-2153; Village Darkali–Kotlu; CHC Karsog; contributory negligence objection rejected; stereotyped insurer reply.