Allowed

Rajesh Kumar Meena v. Ram Prakash and Ors.

Rajasthan HC9 Oct 2023CMA/961/2018

Case brief

AI extract

What is this about?

The High Court allowed an appeal against a Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal order, revising the compensation from Rs. 1,23,000 to Rs. 3,29,859. The court enhanced awards for medical expenses, future care, loss of earning capacity, and loss of livelihood based on established precedents.

What did the court decide?

Compensation revised from Rs. 1,23,000 to Rs. 3,29,859, including Rs. 26,034 for impairment of earnings with right to issue for 8% pension.

Rajesh Kumar Meena Vs Ram Prakash and Ors. — Motor Accident Claims | Rajasthan HC (2023)

¶1

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

¶2

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN BENCH AT JAIPUR

¶3

S.B. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 961/2018

¶4

Rajesh Kumar Meena S/o Ramlal, Aged 32 Year, R/o Raghunathpura, Tehsil Nainwa, District Bundi, Raj.

¶5

----Appellant

¶6

Versus

¶7

Ram Praksh S/o Ghashi Lal, R/o Charnet, Tehsil Deoli, District Tonk, Raj. (Driver)

¶8

Pappu Lal Meena S/o Ramnivash Meena, R/o Village Raghunathpura, Post Dugari, Tehsil Nainwa, District Bundi, Raj. (Owner)

¶9

National Insurance Company Ltd. Through Its Divisional Manager, Kachahari Road, Ajmer. Having It Regional Office At LIC Building, Ambedkar Circle, Bhawani Singh Road, Jaipur (Raj.) (Insurer)

¶10

----Respondents

¶11

For Appellant(s) : Mr. Shree Ram Dhakar For Respondent(s) : Mr. P.K. Kasliwal

¶12

HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ASHUTOSH KUMAR

¶13

Order

¶14

09/10/2023

¶15

1- vihykFkhZ }kjk ;g vihy /kkjk&173 eksVj okgu vf/kfu;e&1988 ds rgr U;k;ky; ikfjokfjd U;k;k/kh'k ,oa eksVj nq?kZVuk nkok vf/kdj.k] cwanh ¼ftls vkxs ^fo}ku vf/kdj.k* ds uke ls lacksf/kr fd;k tk,xk½ }kjk Dyse ;kfpdk la[;k&141@2017] jkts'k dqekj cuke jkeizdk'k o vU; esa ikfjr fu.kZ; fnukad 23-11-2017 ¼ftls vkxs vk{ksfir fu.kZ; ds uke ls lacksf/kr fd;k tk,xk½ ds fo#) izLrqr dh xbZ gSA

¶16

2- vihykFkhZ jkts'k dqekj }kjk vf/kdj.k ds le{k] Lo;a ds eksVj okgu nq?kZVuk esa vkgr gks tkus ds QyLo:i dqy 16]40]000@& #i;s Dyse izkIr djus gsrq Dyse ;kfpdk izLrqr dh x;h FkhA vf/kdj.k }kjk mDr Dyse

¶17

(2 of 7) [CMA-961/2018]

¶18

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

¶19

;kfpdk esa ;kph dks dqy 1]23]000@& #i;s dh {kfriwfrZ jkf’k e; C;kt 9 izfr’kr lkykuk dh nj ls fnyokbZ x;h gSA fo}ku vf/kdj.k ds mDr vk{ksfir fu.kZ; ls O;fFkr gksdj gLrxr vihy] vihykFkhZ dh vksj ls {kfriwfrZ jkf'k esa c<+ksrjh fd;s tkus gsrq izLrqr dh x;h gSA

¶20

3- nkSjkus cgl fo}ku vf/koDrk vihykFkhZ dk rdZ jgk gS fd vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dh ekfld vk; 5]000@& #i;s fu/kkZfjr dh tkdj =qfV dkfjr dh xbZ gSA tcfd oDr ?kVuk vihykFkhZ dkjhxjh o dk'rdkjh dk dk;Z dj 12]000@& #i;s izfrekg dh vk; vftZr djrk FkkA fo}ku vf/koDrk vihykFkhZ dk ,d rdZ ;g Hkh jgk gS fd vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks dkfjr 14 izfr'kr LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk dks 6 izfr'kr ekuk tkdj =qfV dkfjr dh xbZ gSA fo}ku vf/koDrk vihykFkhZ dk ;g Hkh rdZ jgk gS fd fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk 'kkjhfjd o ekufld ihM+k dh en esa rFkk Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh lq[k&lqfo/kk dh deh ds en esa Hkh leqfpr jkf'k ugha fnyokbZ gSA fo}ku vf/koDrk vihykFkhZ dk ;g Hkh rdZ jgk gS fd vf/kdj.k }kjk ikSf"Vd vkgkj] ;krk;kr o vLirky esa HkrhZ jgus dh en esa rFkk vU; enksa esa Hkh vR;f/kd de jkf'k fnyokbZ x;h gS] ftuesa c<+ksrjh dh tkosA vr% vihykFkhZ dh vksj ls izLrqr vihy Lohdkj dh tkdj {kfriwfrZ jkf'k esa c<+ksrjh fd;s tkus dh izkFkZuk dh x;hA

¶21

4- blds foijhr fo}ku vf/koDrk izR;FkhZ chek dEiuh dh vksj ls mijksDr rdkZsa dk fojks/k djrs gq, fo}ku vf/kdj.k ds fu.kZ; dh iqf"V fd;s tkus rFkk vihykFkhZ dh vksj ls lafLFkr dh x;h vihy dks [kkfjt fd;s tkus dh izkFkZuk dh x;hA 5- nksuksa i{kksa dh cgl lquh x;hA vihy i=koyh o vf/kdj.k ds vfHkys[k dk voyksdu fd;k x;kA

¶22

6- ;g vihy] vihykFkhZ dh vksj ls vf/kdj.k }kjk fnyokbZ x;h {kfriwfrZ jkf'k esa c<+ksrjh fd;s tkus gsrq izLrqr dh xbZ gSA izR;FkhZ chek dEiuh dh vksj ls vf/kdj.k ds fu.kZ; ds fo#) dksbZ vihy izLrqr ugha dh x;h gSA

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

[CMA-961/2018]

(3 of 7)

7- eksVj nq?kZVuk esa vkgr O;fDr;ksa dks {kfriwfrZ fnyok;s tkus ds lanHkZ esa ekuuh; mPpre U;k;ky; }kjk vius U;kf;d n`"Vkar Anant Son of Sidheswar Dukre Vs. Pratap son of Zhampannappa Lamzane & Anr. Reported in (2018) 9 Supreme Court Cases 450, esa fl)kUr izfrikfnr fd;k gS tks fuEu izdkj ls gS %&

¶27

“12. In case of motor accidents leading to injuries and disablements, it is a well settled principle that a person must not only be compensated for his physical injury, but also for the non-pecuniary losses which he has suffered due to the injury. The claimant is entitled to be compensated for his inability to lead a full life, and enjoy those things and amenities which he would have enjoyed, but for the injuries."

¶28

"13. The purpose of compensation under the Motor Vehicles Act is to fully and adequately restore the aggrieved to the position prior to the accident. This Court in Yadava Kumar v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. explained “just compensation” in the following words:"

¶29

"15. It goes without saying that in matters of determination of compensation both the tribunal and the court are statutorily charged with a responsibility of fixing a “just compensation”. It is obviously true that determination of a just compensation cannot be equated to a bonanza. At the same time the concept of “just compensation” obviously suggests application of fair and equitable principles and a reasonable approach on the part of the tribunals and courts. This reasonableness on the part of the tribunal and court must be on a large peripheral field.”

¶30

8- vihy i=koyh ds voyksdu ls izdV gksrk gS fd ekeys dh ?kVuk fnukad 01-04-2015 dh crkbZ x;h gS rFkk oDr ?kVuk vihykFkhZ dks dkjhxjh o dk'rdkjh dk dk;Z dj izfrekg 12]000@& #i;s dh vk; vftZr djuk crk;k x;k gSA fdUrq vihykFkhZ }kjk viuh vk; dk dksbZ Bksl

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

[CMA-961/2018]

(4 of 7)

izek.k vf/kdj.k ds le{k izLrqr ugha fd;k gSA bu ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ ds dk;Z dh izÑfr dks nf"Vxr j[krs gq, mldh ekfld vk; 5]000@& #i;s izfrekg fu/kkZfjr dh xbZ gSA oDr ?kVuk vihykFkhZ dks dkjhxjh o dk'rdkjh dk dk;Z djuk crk;k x;k gSA bu ifjfLFkfr;ksa esa ;g U;k;ky; vihykFkhZ ds dk;Z dh izÑfr dks nf"Vxr j[krs gq, mls oDr ?kVuk dq'ky Jfed gksuk ekurs gq, mldh vk; fu/kkZfjr fd;k tkuk mfpr le>rh gSA oDr ?kVuk dq'ky Jfed dh nSfud vk; 217@& #i;s izfrfnu] rn~uqlkj ekfld vk; 6]510@& #i;s gksrh gSA oDr ?kVuk vihykFkhZ 30 o"kZ dh vk;q dk Lofu;ksftr O;olk;h FkkA ,slh fLFkfr esa us'kuy ba';ksjsal dEiuh fyfeVsM cuke iz.k; lsBh o vU;% ¼2017½ 16 ,l-lh-lh- 680 esa izfrikfnr fl)kUr ds vuqlkj vihykFkhZ dh vk;q dks n`f"Vxr j[krs gq, mldh fu/kkZfjr ekfld vk; 6]510@& #i;s esa 40 izfr'kr vFkkZr 2]604@& #i;s dh c<+ksrjh fd;k tkuk visf{kr gSA mDr 40 izfr'kr jkf'k dks fu/kkZfjr ekfld vk; esa tksM+s tkus ds mijkar vihykFkhZ dh dqy 'kq) ekfld vk; 9]114@& #i;s gksrh gS tks {kfriwfrZ fu/kkZj.k dk vk/kkj jgsxhA

¶35

9- gLrxr nq?kZVuk esa vihykFkhZ ds 'kjhj ds fofHkUu Hkkxksa esa xaHkhj pksVsa dkfjr gqbZ gSa] ftuds lkewfgd izHkko ls vihykFkhZ ds 'kjhj esa dqy 14 izfr’kr LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk vkuk ik;k x;k gSA mDr LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk dks fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk 6 izfr'kr ekuk x;k gSA tSlk fd LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= izn'kZ&14 ds voyksdu ls Li"V gSA fdUrq fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk U;kf;d n`"Vkar jktdqekj cuke vt; dqekj 2011 ¼1½ 475 esa izfrikfnr fl)kUr ds vuqlkj fpfdRld ds ijhf{kr ugha gksus ds dkj.k mDr LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk dks lEiw.kZ 'kjhj ds ifjisz{; esa 6 izfr'kr ekuk x;k gSA tcfd vihykFkhZ dk LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= jktdh; fpfdRlky; ds esfMdy cksMZ }kjk tkjh fd;k x;k gSA vihykFkhZ ds fpfdRldh; nLrkostkr o fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= izn'kZ&14 ds voyksdu ls izdV gksrk gS fd mlds iSj esa vfLFkHkax dh pksV vkus ls jktdh; fpfdRlky; ds esfMdy cksMZ }kjk

¶36

(5 of 7) [CMA-961/2018]

¶37

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

¶38

vihykFkhZ dk ijh{k.k dj LFkkbZ fu'kDrrk izek.k&i= izn'kZ&14 tkjh fd;k x;k gSA mDr esfMdy cksMZ esa vfLFk jksx fo'ks"kK Hkh 'kkfey gSA LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= ds vuqlkj vihykFkhZ ds 'kjhj ij dkfjr pksVksa ds vk/kkj ij 14 izfr'kr LFkkbZ fu'kDrrk dkfjr gksuk ik;k x;k gS rFkk ;g Hkh vafdr fd;k x;k gS fd vihykFkhZ ds Hkfo"; esa mDr fu;ksZX;rk ds dkj.k vkyrh&ikyrh ekjdj cSBus rFkk fu;fer dk;Z djus esa dfBukbZ;ka gksxhA bl laca/k esa jkt dqekj cuke vt; dqekj o vU;% ¼2011½ 1 ,llhlh 343 okys ekeys esa mPpre U;k;ky; }kjk ;g Li"V funsZf'kr fd;k x;k gS fd tgka fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= jktdh; fpfdRlky; ds esfMdy cksMZ }kjk tkjh fd;k x;k gS rks ,slh fLFkfr esa fpfdRld ds lk{; esa mifLFkr ugha gksus ls fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= ij vfo'okl ugha fd;k tkuk pkfg,A ,slh fLFkfr esa fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ ds LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= ij fo'okl ugha dj =qfV dkfjr dh xbZ gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa ;g U;k;ky; LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk izek.k&i= ds vk/kkj ij vihykFkhZ ds 'kjhj esa dkfjr 14 izfr'kr LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk dks lEiw.kZ 'kjhj ds ifjisz{; esa 14 izfr'kr gh vkadk tkuk mfpr le>rh gSA rnuqlkj vihykFkhZ dh ekfld vk; 9]114@& #i;s dk 14 izfr’kr 1]276@& #i;s gksrk gS tks vihykFkhZ dks Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh vk; dh ekfld {kfr gSA oDr ?kVuk vihykFkhZ }kjk Lo;a dks 30 o"kZ dh vk;q dk gksuk crk;k x;k gSA ftldk [k.Mu ugha gks ldk gSA ,slh fLFkfr esa ljyk oekZ o vU; cuke nsgyh VªkaliksVZ dkWiksZjs'ku o vU;% ¼2009½ 6 ,l-lh-lh- 121 rFkk iz.k; lsBh ¼mijksDr½ ds ekeyksa esa izfrikfnr fl)kUr ds vuqlkj vihykFkhZ dks Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh vk; dh {kfriwfrZ dh x.kuk gsrq vihykFkhZ dh vk;q dks n`f"Vxr j[krs gq, 17 dk xq.kd yxk;k tkuk visf{kr gSA rnuqlkj vihykFkhZ dks Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh vk; dh dqy {kfr 1]276 x 12 x 17 = 2]60]304@& #i;s gksrh gS tks vihykFkhZ izkIr djus dk vf/kdkjh gSA

¶39

10fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks 'kkjhfjd o ekufld ihM+k dh en esa 20]000@& #i;s dh jkf’k fnyokbZ x;h gS] blesa dksbZ gLr{ksi fd;k

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

[CMA-961/2018]

(6 of 7)

tkuk ge mfpr ugha le>rs gSA fdUrq fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh lq[k&lqfo/kk dh deh ds en esa iFkd ls dksbZ jkf'k ugha fnyokbZ xbZ gSA vr% Hkfo"; esa gksus okyh lq[k&lqfo/kk dh deh ds en esa ge] vihykFkhZ dks 20]000@& #i;s dh jkf'k iFkd ls fnyok;k tkuk mfpr le>rs gSaA

¶44

11fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks mlds bykt ij [kpZ gqbZ jkf’k ds en esa dqy 535@& #i;s dh jkf’k fnyokbZ x;h gSA blesa ge dksbZ gLr{ksi fd;k tkuk mfpr ugha le>rs gSaA 12fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks ,d lk/kkj.k pksV dh en esa 1]000@& #i;s rFkk ,d xaHkhj pksV dh en esa 5]000@& #i;s ¼dqy 6]000@& #i;s½ dh jkf'k fnyokbZ xbZ gS] blesa Hkh ge dksbZ gLr{ksi fd;k tkuk mfpr ugha le>rs gSaA 13fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks LFkkbZ fu;ksZX;rk dh en esa 6]000@& #i;s rFkk okn O;; dh en esa 5]000@& #i;s dh jkf'k i`Fkd ls fnyokbZ xbZ gS tks mfpr izrhr ugha gksrh gSA mDr enksa esa dksbZ jkf'k vihykFkhZ dks fnyok;k tkuk mfpr izdV ugha gksrk gSA 14fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks ikSf"Vd vkgkj ds en esa rFkk vLirky vkus&tkus gsrq ifjogu ,oa ;krk;kr ij O;; gqbZ jkf'k ds en esa dksbZ jkf'k ugha fnyokbZ xbZ gSA bl laca/k esa ;g LoHkkfod gS fd vihykFkhZ dks dkfjr gqbZ pksVksa ds QyLo:i vihykFkhZ dks fo'ks"k vkgkj dh vko';drk jgh gksxh rFkk vLirky vkus&tkus gsrq ifjogu ij jkf'k [kpZ gqbZ gksxhA ,slh fLFkfr esa ge] vihykFkhZ dks ikSf"Vd vkgkj dh en esa 7]000@& #i;s rFkk ;krk;kr ij O;; jkf'k ds en esa 3]000@& #i;s dh jkf'k vihykFkhZ dks fnyok;k tkuk mfpr le>rs gSaA

¶45

15fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk vihykFkhZ dks byktjr vof/k ds nkSjku gqbZ vk; dh gkfu ds en esa dksbZ jkf'k ugha fnyokbZ xbZ gSA ;g LokHkkfod gS fd ekeys dh nq?kZVuk esa vihykFkhZ ds 'kjhj esa dkfjr gqbZ vfLFkHkax dh pksVksa ds QyLo:i vihykFkhZ djhc nks ekg rd vk; vftZr djus esa

[2023:RJ-JP:31802]

[CMA-961/2018]

(7 of 7)

vleFkZ jgk gksxkA ,slh fLFkfr esa ge] nks ekg dh vk; dh gkfu ds en esa 13]020@& #i;s dh jkf'k vihykFkhZ dks fnyok;k tkuk mfpr le>rs gSaA 16mijksDr foospu vuqlkj vihykFkhZ dh vksj ls izLrqr ;g vihy vkaf’kd :i ls Lohdkj dh tkdj fo}ku vf/kdj.k }kjk ikfjr iapkV ftlds }kjk fd vihykFkhZ@DysesaV dks 1]23]000@& :i;s fnyok;s tkus dk vkns'k ikfjr fd;k x;k gS] ds LFkku ij 3]29]859@& :i;s dk iapkV ikfjr fd;k tkrk gSA vihykFkhZ }kjk iwoZ esa izkIr dh x;h jkf’k dks iapkV jkf’k esa ls lek;ksftr fd;k tkdj 'ks"k jkf’k vihykFkhZ izkIr djus dk vf/kdkjh ik;k tkrk gSaA

¶50

17bl vkns'k }kjk c<+kbZ xbZ {kfriwfrZ jkf'k ij ;kfpdk nk;j djus dh frfFk ls vihykFkhZ] 8 izfr'kr okf"kZd C;kt izkIr djus dk vf/kdkjh gSaA 18vkns’k dh izfr ds lkFk izdj.k dk vfHkys[k lacaf/kr vf/kdj.k dks ykSVk;k tkosA

¶51

19rnuqlkj ;g vihy fuLrkfjr dh tkrh gSA

¶52

20lHkh yfEcr izkFkZuk&i=ksa dks Hkh mijksDrkuqlkj fuLrkfjr fd;k tkrk gSA

¶53

(ASHUTOSH KUMAR),J

¶54

LOKESH RAJ /38

Rajesh Kumar Meena v. Ram Prakash and Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

Rajesh Kumar Meena v. Ram Prakash and Ors.

Case brief

What is this about?

What did the court decide?

What the court decided

A compact analysis

Issues for consideration

Cases cited

Parties & counsel

Coram

Case details

Similar cases

New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Vs Pukhraj Jain and Others

Smt Sangeeta and Others Vs Tejpal and Others

Ramswaroop Sharma Vs Abdul Wahid and Ors.

Rakesh Kumar Son of Gokul Chand Gurjar, Vs Bhairu Singh S/O Hardev Singh Rajput

Jai Ram Vs Chatra Ram and Others

Virendra Kumar S/O Charan Singh Vs Manoj Vaishnav S/O Heeralal Vaishnav