Appeal by insurer against a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal award of Rs.47,89,560 with interest to the dependents of a two-wheeler rider killed in a collision with a tipper lorry. The High Court found the grounds on negligence, eye-witness reliability, vehicle damage and salary untenable and dismissed the appeal.
This page shows the compact analysis of this judgement. The full analysis — procedural history, issue-by-issue holdings with ratio and obiter, advocates, and paragraph-level evidence for every claim — is being added to the record in batches and will appear here when this judgement has been through it.
C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 14.03.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN AND
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE R.POORNIMA
C.M.A(MD)No.801 of 2024 and
C.M.P(MD)No.8799 of 2024
The Manager, Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd., Plot No.HIG-55, Sri Meenakshi Plaza, I Floor, 80 Feet Road, Anna Nagar, Madurai Town-625 020
... Appellant/2nd Respondent
-Vs-
1.Sangeetha 2.Minor Sri Saga 3.Minor Sri Krishikka
... Respondents 1 to 3/ Petitioners 1 -3
(Minor Respondents 2 and 3 represented by their Mother, Natural Guardian R1)
4.Ammasi
5.Eswari
...Respondents 4& 5/ Petitioners 4 & 5
Page 1 of 6
C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
6.Malarvalli
...6th Respondent/1st Respondent
PRAYER: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the award dated 03.02.2024 passed in MCOP No.345 of 2020 by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (Principal District Judge), Dindigul.
For Appellant : Mr.K.R.Sivashankari For R1 to R5 : Mr.A.Saravanan For R6 : No appearance
JUDGMENT
DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.
AND
R.POORNIMA , J.
One Mr.Karthikeyan, aged about 27 while proceeding in his two wheeler bearing Registration No.TN-64-Q-8046 was hit by a tipper lorry bearing Registration No.TN-59-AH-8781, wherein he died due to injuries sustained. His wife, three children and parents preferred Motor Accident Claim petition before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Dindigul, claiming a sum of Rs.70,00,000/as compensation.
Page 2 of 6
C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
2.The said claim was opposed by the Insurance Company on the ground that the claim is excessive and that apart, the accident occurred due to the neglience of the deceased Karthikeyan.
3.The Tribunal, after considering the evidence, held that the accident has occurred due to the negligence of the driver of the Tipper Lorry.
4.The deceased was gainly employed as a salary person earning a sum of Rs.21,879/- per month, the dependents are entitled for compensation apply multiplier 17. Regarding the negligence, taking into account the Motor Vehicle Inspector's Report and the evidence of P.W.2, who witnessed the accident and held that the accident has occurred only due to the negligence of the tipper lorry driver. Accordingly, the Insurance Company, which has indemnified the owner of the lorry, being directed to pay a sum of Rs.47,89,560/- with 7.5% interest from the date of petition till realisation.
5.The compensation amount now been ordered to be disbursed proportionately amoung the wife, children and parents of the deceased. Being aggrieved, the present appeal is filed by the Insurance Company.
Page 3 of 6
C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
6.The learned counsel appearing for the appellant submitted that the
evidence of P.W.2 is not reliable and he cannot be construed as an eye witness. Further, it is contended that the Motor Inspector's Report, marked as Ex.R.1, would show that the two wheeler of the deceased been damaged on the rear side, which would lead to inference that the deceased has turned his two wheeler crossing the lane suddenly and got in the accident due to his negligence. Further the learned counsel would submit that the salary of the deceased ought to have been taken as 20,379/- and not 21,879 per month.
7.The learned counsel appearing for the respondent/claimant would submit that P.W.2 evidence is cogent and natural his testimony is not match through cross-examination no suggestion put to him regarding the alleged negligence of the deceased. The damage found in the two wheeler of the deceased is extensive and the right side headlight, handlebar of the vehicle. Therefore, the plea of the appellant's counsel to infer the negligence, based on the damage to the vehicle is unsustainable. Regarding the salary, the learned counsel would submit that the gross salary of the deceased proved to be Rs.12,879/- which includes Rs.1,500/towards PF contribution.
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C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
8.The trial Court has rightly considered the factum of the Hon'ble Supreme Court that the contribution towards Social Welfare Scheme cannot be deducted from the salary, while arriving at compensation.
9.This Court, after considering the rival submission, finds that the grounds raised by the appellant are untenable and not supported by the evidence, whereas the Tribunal, after due consideration of the evidence placed before it, has rightly granted the compensation. Therefore, we find no reason to interfere with the award of the Tribunal. Hence, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal stands dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is also closed.
[G.J., J.] & [R.P., J.] 14.03.2025
NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No
Ns
Page 5 of 6
C.M.A.MD) No.801 of 2019
DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.
AND
R.POORNIMA , J.
Ns
To
C.M.A(MD)No.801 of 2024 and C.M.P(MD)No.8799 of 2024
14.03.2025
Page 6 of 6
2 issues framed by the court
Whether the Tribunal's finding of negligence against the tipper lorry driver was sustainable.
Whether the monthly income of the deceased and multiplier applied for compensation were correctly assessed.
1 provisions across 1 enactments
The Manager, Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd.
Sangeetha
Minor Sri Saga
Minor Sri Krishikka
Ammasi
Eswari
G.Jayachandran
R.Poornima
As recorded by the court registry
Judgements on the same questions, provisions and authorities, from every court
