Allowed

Anjana and Others v. Pardeep Kumar and Others

Punjab & Haryana HC23 Aug 2024FAO/828/2007

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

This appeal allowed enhancement of compensation to appellants for the death of a 44-year-old veterinary doctor in a motor accident. The High Court modified the Tribunal's award by applying a multiplier of 14, calculating future prospects, and adding standard amounts for loss of estate, funeral expenses, and consortium, resulting in an increased compensation of Rs. 15,63,312 with 9% interest.

What did the court decide?

Compensation enhanced to Rs. 15,63,312 with interest @ 9% per annum; Insurance Company directed to deposit amount with the Tribunal.

Anjana and Others Vs Pardeep Kumar and Others — Motor Accident Claims | Punjab & Haryana HC (2024)

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M)

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206

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M) Date of Decision : 23.08.2024

Anjana and others

....Appellants

Versus

Pardeep Kumar Aggarwal and others

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....Respondents

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CORAM : HON’BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA

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Present: Mr.Krishan Singh, Advocate for the appellants.

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Mr.Dinesh Kumar Prajapati, Advocate for respondent No.3 – Insurance Co.

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SUDEEPTI SHARMA, J. (Oral)

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The present appeal has been preferred by the claimants/appellants for enhancement of compensation awarded by the learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Yamuna Nagar at Jagadhari (for short, 'the Tribunal') vide award dated 16.10.2006 under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1989, whereby the claimants/appellants were awarded a compensation of Rs.8,38,600/- along with interest @ 7.5% per annum.

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FACTS NOT IN DISPUTE

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Brief facts of the case are that on 1.3.2004, the deceased-Sudhakar Dhiman aged 44 years, a Veterinary Doctor posted in the department of Animal Husbandry at Dhamora, along with his father-in-law Shri Sumer Chand Dhiman, was going to Modipur Dayawati Academy, Rampur from Noormehal. They were going on a motorcycle bearing registration number UP-04-9359, which was being driven by the deceased at a moderate speed. At about 9.00 a.m., when they reached AMIT KAUNDAL 2024.08.31 18:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M) - 2-

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near Christians Cremation ground located at Prince Road within the area of Rampur, a Santro car bearing registration No.DL-2FB-0075 came from behind. The said car was being driven by the respondent No.1 in a rash and negligent manner. He struck his car with the motor cycle of the deceased. Due to that impact, the deceased and the pillion rider i.e. father in law of the deceased fell down. Deceased Sudhakar Dhiman died on the spot because of head injuries sustained in the accident. A criminal case for causing the present accident was registration on the statement of Sumer Chand Dhiman vide FIR Ex. P1 in which the registered number of the offending vehicle i.e. Santro car bearing No.DL-2FB-0075 is mentioned. It is alleged that the accident in question was also witnessed by one Musharaf Khan son of Shri Safdar Khan, resident of Noormehal, Rampur.

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Upon notice of the claim petition, respondents appeared and denied the factum of compensation.

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From the pleading of the parties, the Tribunal framed the following

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issues:-

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“ 1. Whether the accident had taken place due to rash and negligent driving of Santro car No.DL-2FB-0075 by respondent no.1 ? OPP

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2. If issue no.1 is proved, then to what amount of compensation the claimants are entitled to and from whom? OPP.

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3. Whether the respondent No.3 is not liable to pay any compensation in view of the preliminary objections taken by it in its written statement? OPR-3.

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4. Relief.”

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AMIT KAUNDAL 2024.08.31 18:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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After taking into consideration the pleadings and the evidence on record, the learned Tribunal awarded compensation to the tune of Rs.8,38,600/alongwith interest @ 7.5% per annum. Hence the claimants/appellants filed the present appeal for enhancement of compensation awarded by the Tribunal.

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SUBMISSIONS OF THE COUNSELS

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The learned counsel for the claimants-appellants contends that the amount assessed by the learned Tribunal is on the lower side. He further contends that the learned Tribunal erroneously applied multiplier of 11 instead of 14 and no amount has been granted for future prospects and loss of estate. He further contends that the compensation for loss of consortium and funeral expenses was on lower side.

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Per contra, learned for the respondent-Insurance Company argues that the learned Tribunal vide award dated 16.10.2006 has rightly assessed the amount of compensation.

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I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the whole record of this case.

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A perusal of the award indicates that the Tribunal has assessed the income of the deceased at Rs.9500/- per month. Further the Tribunal applied the multiplier of 11, however, according to the law settled by Hon’ble Apex Court, the appropriate multiplier should be 14. Furthermore, no amount was calculated for future prospects and loss of estate and the sum awarded for loss of consortium and funeral expenses are also on the lower side.

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SETTLED LAW ON COMPENSATION

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Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Sarla Verma Vs. Delhi AMIT KAUNDAL2024.08.31 1 8:07 Transport Corporation and Another [(2009) 6 Supreme Court Cases 121] , laid I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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down the law on assessment of compensation and the relevant paras of the same are as under:-

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“ 30 . Though in some cases the deduction to be made towards personal and living expenses is calculated on the basis of units indicated in Trilok Chandra, the general practice is to apply standardised deductions. Having a considered several subsequent decisions of this Court, we are of the view that where the deceased was married, the deduction towards personal and living expenses of the deceased, should be one-third (1/3rd) where the number of dependent family members is 2 to 3, one-fourth (1/4th) where the number of dependent family members is 4 to 6, and one-fifth (1/5th) where the number of dependent family members exceeds six.

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31 . Where the deceased was a bachelor and the claimants are the parents, the deduction follows a different principle. In regard to bachelors, normally, 50% is deducted as personal and living expenses, because it is assumed that a bachelor would tend to spend more on himself. Even otherwise, there is also the possibility of his getting married in a short time, in which event the contribution to the parent(s) and siblings is likely to be cut drastically. Further, subject to evidence to the contrary, the father is likely to have his own income and will not be considered as a dependant and the mother alone will be considered as a dependant. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, brothers and sisters will not be considered as dependants,

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because they will either be independent and earning, or married, or be dependent on the father.

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32 . Thus even if the deceased is survived by parents and siblings, only d the mother would be considered to be a dependant, and 50% would be treated as the personal and living expenses of the bachelor and 50% as the contribution to the family. However, where the family of the bachelor is large and dependent on the income of the deceased, as in a case where he has a widowed mother and large number of younger non-earning sisters or brothers, his personal and living expenses may be restricted to one-third and contribution to the family will be taken as two-third.

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42. We therefore hold that the multiplier to be used should be as mentioned in Column (4) of the table above (prepared by applying Susamma Thomas³, Trilok Chandra and Charlie), which starts with an operative multiplier of 18 (for the age groups of 15 to 20 and 21 to 25 years), reduced by one unit for every five years, that is M-17 for 26 to 30 years, M-16 for 31 to 35 years, M-15 for 36 to 40 years, M-14 for 41 to 45 years, and M-13 for 46 to 50 years, then reduced by two units for every five years, that is, M-11 for 51 to 55 years, M-9 for 56 to 60 years, M-7 for 61 to 65 years and M-5 for 66 to 70 years.

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Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance Company

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Ltd. Vs. Pranay Sethi & Ors. [(2017) 16 SCC 680] has clarified the law under

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AMIT KAUNDAL 2024.08.31 18:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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Sections 166, 163-A and 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, on the following

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aspects:-

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(A) Deduction of personal and living expenses to determine multiplicand;

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(B) Selection of multiplier depending on age of deceased;

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(D) Reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely, loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses, with escalation;

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(E) Future prospects for all categories of persons and for different ages: with permanent job; self-employed or fixed salary.

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The relevant portion of the judgment is reproduced as under:-

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“ 52. As far as the conventional heads are concerned, we find it difficult to agree with the view expressed in Rajesh². It has granted Rs.25,000 towards funeral expenses, Rs 1,00,000 towards loss of consortium and Rs 1,00,000 towards loss of care and guidance for minor children. The head relating to loss of care and minor children does not exist. Though Rajesh refers to Santosh Devi, it does not seem to follow the same. The conventional and traditional heads, needless to say, cannot be determined on percentage basis because that would not be an acceptable criterion. Unlike determination of income, the said heads have to be quantified. Any quantification must have a reasonable foundation. There can be no dispute over the fact that price index, fall in bank interest, escalation of rates in many a field have to be noticed. The court cannot remain

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M)

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oblivious to the same. There has been a thumb rule in this aspect. Otherwise, there will be extreme difficulty in determination of the same and unless the thumb rule is applied, there will be immense variation lacking any kind of consistency as a consequence of which, the orders passed by the tribunals and courts are likely to be unguided. Therefore, we think it seemly to fix reasonable sums. It seems to us that reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely, loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses should be Rs.15,000, Rs.40,000 and Rs.15,000 respectively. The principle of revisiting the said heads is an acceptable principle. But the revisit should not be fact-centric or quantum-centric. We think that it would be condign that the amount that we have quantified should be enhanced on percentage basis in every three years and the enhancement should be at the rate of 10% in a span of three years. We are disposed to hold so because that will bring in consistency in respect of those heads.

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59.3 . While determining the income, an addition of 50% of actual salary to the income of the deceased towards future prospects, where the deceased had a permanent job and was below the age of 40 years, should be made. The addition should be 30%, if the age of the deceased was between 40 to 50 years. In case the deceased was between the age of 50 to 60 years, the

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M) - 8-

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addition should be 15%. Actual salary should be read as actual salary less tax.

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59.4 . In case the deceased was self-employed (or) on a fixed salary, an addition of 40% of the established income should be the warrant where the deceased was below the age of 40 years. An addition of 25% where the deceased was between the age of 40 to 50 years and 10% where the deceased was between the age of 50 to 60 years should be regarded as the necessary method of computation. The established income means the income minus the tax component.

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59.5 . For determination of the multiplicand, the deduction for personal and living expenses, the tribunals and the courts shall be guided by paras 30 to 32 of Sarla Verma⁴ which we have reproduced hereinbefore.

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59.6. The selection of multiplier shall be as indicated in the Table in Sarla Verma¹ read with para 42 of that judgment.

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59.7 . The age of the deceased should be the basis for applying the multiplier.

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59.8 . Reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely, loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses should be Rs 15,000, Rs 40,000 and Rs 15,000 respectively. The aforesaid amounts should be enhanced at the rate of 10% in every three years.”

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Hon’ble Supreme Court in the case of Magma General Insurance Company Limited Vs. Nanu Ram alias Chuhru Ram &

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AMIT KAUNDAL 2024.08.31 18:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

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Others [2018(18) SCC 130] after considering Sarla Verma (supra) and Pranay Sethi (Supra) has settled the law regarding consortium. Relevant paras of the same are reproduced as under:-

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“ 21 . A Constitution Bench of this Court in Pranay Sethi² dealt with the various heads under which compensation is to be awarded in a death case. One of these heads is loss of consortium. In legal parlance, "consortium" is a compendious term which encompasses "spousal consortium", "parental consortium", and "filial consortium". The right to consortium would include the company, care, help, comfort, guidance, solace and affection of the deceased, which is a loss to his family. With respect to a spouse, it would include sexual relations with the deceased spouse.

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21.1. Spousal consortium is generally defined as rights pertaining to the relationship of a husband-wife which allows compensation to the surviving spouse for loss of "company, society, cooperation, affection, and aid of the other in every conjugal relation".

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21.2. Parental consortium is granted to the child upon the premature death of a parent, for loss of "parental aid, protection, affection, society, discipline, guidance and training".

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21.3. Filial consortium is the right of the parents to compensation in the case of an accidental death of a child. An accident leading to the death of a child causes great shock and

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M)

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agony to the parents and family of the deceased. The greatest agony for a parent is to lose their child during their lifetime. Children are valued for their love, affection, companionship and their role in the family unit.

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22 . Consortium is a special prism reflecting changing norms about the status and worth of actual relationships. Modern jurisdictions world-over have recognised that the value of a child's consortium far exceeds the economic value of the compensation awarded in the case of the death of a child. Most jurisdictions therefore permit parents to be awarded compensation under loss of consortium on the death of a child. The amount awarded to the parents is a compensation for loss of the love, affection, care and companionship of the deceased child.

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23 . The Motor Vehicles Act is a beneficial legislation aimed at providing relief to the victims or their families, in cases of genuine claims. In case where a parent has lost their minor child, or unmarried son or daughter, the parents are entitled to be awarded loss of consortium under the head of filial consortium. Parental consortium is awarded to children who lose their parents in motor vehicle accidents under the Act. A few High Courts have awarded compensation on this count. However, there was no clarity with respect to the principles on which compensation could be awarded on loss of filial consortium.

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24 . The amount of compensation to be awarded as consortium will be governed by the principles of awarding compensation under "loss of consortium" as laid down in Pranay Sethi². In the present case, we deem it appropriate to award the father and the sister of the deceased, an amount of Rs 40,000 each for loss of filial consortium.

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CONCLUSION

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In view of the law laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in the above referred to judgments, the present appeal is allowed. The award dated 16.10.2006 is modified accordingly. The appellants-claimants are entitled to enhanced compensation as per the calculations made here-under:-

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Sr. No.	Heads	Compensation Awarded
1	Monthly Income	Rs.9500/-
2	Future prospects @ 30%	Rs.2850/- (30% of 9500)
3	Deduction towards personal expenditure	Rs.4116/- [1/3 of (9500+2850)]
4.	Total Income	Rs.8234/- (12350-4116)
4	Multiplier	14
5	Annual Dependency	Rs.13,83,312/- (Rs.8234/- x 12 x 14)
6	Loss of Estate	Rs.18,000/-
7	Funeral Expenses	Rs.18,000/-
8	Loss of Consortium Parental : Rs.48,000/- x 2 Spousal : Rs.48,000/-x1	Rs.1,44,000/-
	Total Compensation	Rs.15,63,312/-
	Amount Awarded by the Tribunal	Rs.8,38,600/-
	Enhanced amount	Rs.7,24,712/-

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FAO-828-2007 (O&M) - 12-

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So far as the interest part is concerned, as held by Hon’ble Supreme Court in Dara Singh @ Dhara Banjara Vs. Shyam Singh Varma 2019 ACJ 3176 and R.Valli and Others VS. Tamil Nandu State Transport Corporation (2022) 5 Supreme Court Cases 107, the appellants-claimants are granted the interest @ 9% per annum on the enhanced amount from the date of filing of claim petition till the date of its realization.

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The Insurance Company is directed to deposit the enhanced amount of compensation along with interest with the Tribunal within a period of two months from today. The Tribunal is further directed to disburse the enhanced amount of compensation along with interest in the accounts of all the claimants/appellants as per ratio settled in the award dated 16.10.2006. The claimants/appellants are directed to furnish the bank account details to the Tribunal.

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16. Disposed of accordingly.

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Pending applications, if any, also stand disposed of.

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August 23, 2024 (SUDEEPTI SHARMA) A.Kaundal JUDGE

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Whether speaking/non-speaking : Speaking Whether reportable : Yes/No

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AMIT KAUNDAL 2024.08.31 18:07 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document Chandigarh

Anjana and Others v. Pardeep Kumar and Others

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Anjana and Others v. Pardeep Kumar and Others

Case brief

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