A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded ₹18.57 lakh compensation to the parents of a 21-year-old youth who lost his life in an accident in 2015.
A speeding car had hit him when he was on his way to the Indira Gandhi International Airport, on his motorcycle, to receive a friend.
Opposing the claim petition filed by the parents of the victim, the driver and the owner of the offending vehicle said that the car was not involved in the mishap and nor was it being driven by the driver at the alleged time of accident in the manner as stated in the detailed accident report filed by the police.
The insurance company offered a compensation of ₹10.05 lakh but the petitioners refused to accept it.
Eyewitness account
Presiding Officer of the tribunal, Paramjit Singh, held that the victim died after he was knocked down by the car being driven in a rash and negligent manner and awarded the compensation, among other evidence, on an eyewitness account by a three-wheeler driver who was waiting at the place for passengers when the accident took place.
The victim’s mother in her evidence said that his son earned ₹22,000 per month by running a mobile shop.
She submitted that because of his death she and her husband suffered mental pain, shock and agony.
As the victim’s mother could not submit any document regarding his income, the tribunal fixed the compensation on the basis of minimum wages of matriculates in 2015, which was ₹11,154 per month.
“Thus, having regard to the fact and circumstances of the present case, an award for a sum of ₹18,57,000 along with interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing of the petition i.e., 30.10.2015 till realisation is passed in favour of the petitioners herein and against the respondents. The said compensation amount shall be payable by the Tata AIG General Insurance Company Ltd [insurer of the offending vehicle],” the Presiding Officer said.