Rohtash v. Rajbir
Motor Accidents – Damage to claimant's vehicle – Adequacy of compensation
Case brief
What is this about?
FAO-4599-2002, High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh, decided 06.07.2026 by Parmod Goyal, J. (oral). Rohtash (appellant/claimant/owner of three-wheeler HR-11-PA-0129) v. Rajbir and Others. Appeal against MACT Panipat award dated 22.05.2002 granting only Rs.6,000/- for vehicle damage in accident of 02.02.1998 caused by TATA-407 HR-31-GA-0168 driven negligently by respondent No.1. Tribunal had rejected testimony of claimant (PW7) and mechanic Dalbir Singh (PW8) proving bills Ex.P4/P5 for want of three quotations and photographs. Court held: proof by preponderance of probability suffices; unrebutted mechanic evidence must be accepted; three quotations unnecessary for a private owner; burden on respondents to show bills excessive. Compensation enhanced to Rs.31,200/- with 7.5% interest from date of filing of claim petition till realization; liability as per award.
What did the court decide?
Compensation enhanced to Rs.31,200/- on account of damage to the appellant's vehicle, payable with 7.5% interest from the date of filing of the claim petition till realization on the enhanced compensation; liability to pay compensation as per the award; pending applications disposed of accordingly.