driver of the bus was negligent in driving the vehicle. The Tribunal also noted that the award in O.P. No.294 of 2001 was only claimed to have been the subject matter of pending appeal and consequently, the Tribunal concluded in favour of the claimants in respect of responsibility for the accident. The Tribunal considered the deceased to be aged 32 years based on Ex.A.2 post-mortem report and Ex.A.3 inquest report. Coming to the income of the deceased, the Tribunal observed that a barber in the area of Mehabubabad may be naturally getting a sum of Rs.100/- per day from a saloon and consequently, it assessed the income at Rs.2,600/- per month for 26 working days or Rs.31,200/- per annum based on its common sense and experience. The parents of the deceased were aged, but the 3rd petitioner, who is of unsound mind, was stated to be aged 34 years. The Tribunal consequently took the age of 35 years as the basis with reference to the age of the 3rd claimant, though the age of the deceased was stated to be only 32 years in Exs.A.2 and A.3 and applied multiplier of 17 with reference to the Second Schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act. The loss of dependency after deducting one-third of the income towards the personal expenses of the deceased, was calculated at Rs.3,53,600/-. In addition to the same, the Tribunal thought it appropriate to award Rs.10,000/- towards mental shock and agony to the claimants and Rs.2,500/- towards funeral expenses, rounding off to Rs.3,66,000/-. The Tribunal also awarded interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of the petition till the date of realization and proportionate costs.
