TITLE: National Insurance Co. Ltd. Vs Mrs. Lauretta Shashin Mogale And Ors.
CORAM: Hon’ble Justice Shivekumar Dige
DATE: 8th December, 2023.
CITATION: First Appeal No.1067 Of 2018
FACTS
On 26th July 2011, deceased Shashin Mogale was proceeding in his car bearing No. MH-14-CK-7387, he was on the way to his house. At that time, at about 1.55 am., a tanker bearing registration No.KA-01-C/2284 came from the opposite direction in rash and negligent manner and gave dash to the car of the deceased. Respondent No.4 was driving the said tanker. The deceased was admitted in the hospital but he succumbed to injuries. On the basis of evidence on record, the Tribunal has considered the salary of deceased at Rs.98700/- per month including arrears.
This appeal is preferred by the appellant-Insurance Company against the judgment and award passed by Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Pune. The claimants have filed cross-objection for enhancement of compensation. It is the contention of learned counsel for the appellant that while calculating compensation, the Tribunal has considered arrears of salary of the deceased and, on that basis, compensation is awarded, which is not proper. Learned counsel further submitted that the accident occurred due to contributory negligence of the deceased. In the post- mortem report, it is mentioned that there was smell of alcohol. It shows that deceased was under the influence of liquor but this fact is not considered by the Tribunal.
It is the contention of learned counsel for respondent Nos.1 to 3/claimants that the Tribunal has deducted 30% future prospects as income tax, which is not proper. Learned counsel further submitted that consortium amount is not properly awarded, it be awarded. The Chemical Analysis Report is received after the conclusion of the trial. It is produced on record, it does not show that at the time of accident deceased was under the influence of liquor.
LAWS INVOLVED:
304A Of Indian Penal Code: Causing Death By Negligence.
Workmen’s Compensation Act 1923
ISSUES:
- Whether there is a case of Contributary Negligence?
- Whether the compensation amount decide by the Tribunal was valid or not?
JUDGEMENT:
The Appeal is partly allowed as the Court has deducted arrears amount from salary of deceased as well as some allowance amount from the salary. The cross-objection is partly allowed. The claimants are entitled for enhanced amount of Rs. 1671227/- @ 7.5% interest per annum from the date of filing of claim petition till realisation of the amount. Out of this amount, Rs.1,80,000/- is consortium amount, the claimants are entitled for interest on this amount at 7.5% from 1st November 2017 till realisation of the same.
The appellant-Insurance Company shall deposit the enhanced amount along with accrued interest thereon within 8 weeks after the receipt of this order.
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Written by- Sanjana Ravichandran
