Neeta Devi and Others v. Gurmeet and Others
Motor Accident Death Claim – Enhancement of compensation
Case brief
What is this about?
FAO-2927-2019 (O&M), High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, Alka Sarin J., decided 04.02.2026 – quantum enhancement in motor-accident death claim (deceased Ramesh; accident 07.08.2017) against MACT Karnal award dated 02.08.2018 of Rs. 16,36,000/-; appellants Neeta Devi & Ors. v. Gurmeet & Ors.; conventional heads and loss of consortium raised per Pranay Sethi (2017) 16 SCC 680, Magma General Insurance (2018) 18 SCC 130, N. Jayasree 2021(4) RCR (Civil) 642; loss of estate and funeral expenses Rs. 18,000/- each; consortium Rs. 48,000/- each (parental/filial/spousal); reworked total Rs. 18,40,920/-; interest 7.5% p.a. on excess from filing of claim petition; bank-transfer directions per Parminder Singh AIR 2025 SC 1713; appeal allowed, award modified.
What did the court decide?
Award of the Tribunal modified: compensation enhanced from Rs. 16,36,000/- to Rs. 18,40,920/- (income, deduction, multiplier and future prospects maintained; loss of estate Rs. 18,000/-, funeral expenses Rs. 18,000/-, loss of consortium Rs. 48,000/- each for parental, filial and spousal consortium); excess over the Tribunal's award to carry interest at 7.5% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition till realization; enhanced amount to be transferred by the Insurance Company to claimants' bank accounts within six weeks with apportionment as per the Tribunal's percentages, per Parminder Singh. Pending applications disposed off.