Sunita and Others v. Gurmeet and Others
Case brief
What is this about?
Motor accident death compensation enhancement — Punjab and Haryana High Court, Chandigarh; FAO-2952-2019 (O&M); decided 04.02.2026; Hon'ble Mrs. Justice Alka Sarin (oral); Sunita and Others (claimant-appellants, adv. Wazir Singh) v. Gurmeet and Others; respondent No.3 is the Insurance Company (adv. D.K. Prajapati); proforma respondent No.4. Impugned: MACT Karnal award dated 02.08.2018 — total Rs. 16,36,000/- with 6% interest for death of Subhash, accident 07.08.2017. CM-10189-CII-2019 & CM-10192-CII-2019 allowed: 51-day re-filing delay and 12-day filing delay condoned. Income Rs. 8,280/-, 1/4th deduction, 40% future prospects, multiplier 15 unchallenged and maintained. Enhancement under conventional heads per National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi (2017) 16 SCC 680; Magma General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Nanu Ram alias Chuhru Ram (2018) 18 SCC 130; N. Jayasree v. Cholamandalam M.S General Insurance Co. Ltd. 2021(4) RCR (Civil) 642: loss of estate Rs. 18,000/- (15,000+20%), funeral expenses Rs. 18,000/- (15,000+20%), loss of consortium Rs. 48,000/- each (40,000+20%) — parental x2, filial x1, spousal (total Rs. 1,92,000/-). Reworked total Rs. 17,92,920/-. Excess carries 7.5% p.a. interest from filing of claim petition till realisation. Disbursement per Parminder Singh v. Honey Goyal AIR 2025 SC 1713 = 2025 SCC OnLine SC 567: bank-account transfer within six weeks, apportionment per Tribunal percentages, particulars in two weeks, verification/payment in four weeks with up-to-date interest, Bank to report compliance. Appeal allowed; award modified; speaking judgment.