Mumbai: Kin of man who died chasing auto for Rs 28 change to get Rs 43 lakh

MUMBAI: The family of a 26-year-old Vikhroli man who lost his life chasing after a Rs 28 change that an auto driver refused to return in 2016, has been awarded Rs 43 lakh as compensation.
Chetan Achirnekar, a software firm staffer, had handed Rs 200 for a Rs 172 fare and when he insisted on the change, the auto driver attempted to speed off without paying, causing the vehicle to topple over him. Chetan died on the spot even as his father watched in horror.
The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal refuted the defence of Future Generali India Insurance that since this was a culpable homicide case, they were not liable. The tribunal noted the death certificate and postmortem report showed Chetan died due to injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident.
"The manner in which the accident occurred clearly establishes that the driver of the autorickshaw had an opportunity to avoid the unfortunate accident...shows the driver was rash, negligent and responsible for the accident," said the tribunal presided by A M Chandekar.
Youth’s kin to be paid by insurance co & auto owner
In the case of the 2016 death of Vikhroli’s Chetan Achirnekar while chasing an autorickshaw over change, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal also considered the victim’s monthly salary of Rs 15,000 when calculating the compensation to be paid to his parents Ganpat and Sneha Achirnekar and younger brother Omkar. At the time of his death, Chetan worked in a software firm.
The Rs 43 lakh compensation (with interest) will have to be paid jointly by the insurance company and the owner of the autorickshaw, Kamlesh Mishra. The family submitted their claim before the tribunal in December 2016. They said on July 23, 2016, around 1.30am, Chetan was returning from the airport to their Vikhroli East home by autorickshaw. When he came close to his home, he paid Rs 200 to the driver. The auto driver refused to hand over the change claiming he did not have it and started the vehicle.
When Chetan asked him to stop, he attempted to speed. As a result, the vehicle turned turtle and fell on Chetan who suffered fatal injuries. The matter was reported to Vikhroli police station. The family said due to Chetan’s death they suffered both emotionally and financially. The vehicle owner did not appear before the tribunal and an ex parte order was passed against him.
Among arguments made to deny liability in the claim, the insurance company submitted at the time of the incident, the auto driver did not hold a valid and effective driving licence. The tribunal said to substantiate this claim, the insurance company had not adduced any oral or documentary evidence.