Sheela Sharma & Ors v. Shiv Prasad Sahu & Ors

JUDGMENT (Oral)

¶1The appellants have challenged the award of the learned Tribunal whereby compensation of Rs.65,000/- has been awarded to the appellants. The appellants seek enhancement of the award amount.

¶2The accident dated 4th April, 2002 resulted in the death of Laxmi Narain Sharma. The deceased was survived by his widow, one son and two daughters who filed the claim petition before the learned Tribunal.

¶3The deceased was aged 68 years at the time of the accident. The deceased had retired from Government Service and was getting a pension of Rs.5,000/- per month.

After the death of the deceased, appellant No.1 was receiving the family pension of Rs.3,000/- per month. The learned Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.65,000/- towards the pain and sufferings and funeral expenses to the appellants. No amount has been awarded towards the loss of consortium and loss of estate.

¶4The learned counsel for the appellants submit that the compensation be awarded for loss of love and affection, loss of consortium and loss of estate.

¶5The compensation for pain and sufferings awarded by the learned Tribunal is treated towards the compensation for loss of love and affection and, therefore, no further compensation is awarded for loss of love and affection. However, the appellants are entitled to the compensation for loss of consortium and loss of estate.

¶6The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sarla Verma Vs. Delhi Transport Corporation, 2009 (6) Scale 129 has held that Rs.5,000/- to Rs.10,000/- should be awarded for loss of consortium and Rs.5,000/- to Rs.10,000/- should be awarded for loss of estate.

¶7Following the aforesaid judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court, Rs.10,000/- is awarded towards the loss of consortium and Rs.10,000/- is awarded towards the loss of estate.

¶8The appeal is allowed. The award amount is enhanced from Rs.65,000/- to Rs.85,000/- along with interest @ 8% per

annum from the date of filing of the petition till realization.

¶9Respondent No.3 is directed to deposit the enhanced award amount along with interest with the learned Tribunal within 30 days. The appellants shall have equal share in the enhanced award amount.

¶10Upon the enhanced award amount being deposited, the learned Tribunal is directed to release the same to the appellants without any restriction of fixed deposit.

¶11Copy of this order be given 'Dasti' to learned counsel for both the parties under the signature of Court Master.

J.R. MIDHA, J

SEPTEMBER 09, 2009

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*IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI + FAO.No.791/2003 Date of Decision: 9th September, 2009 % SHEELA SHARMA & ORS. ..... Appellants Through : Mr. Saurabh Sharma, Adv. versus SHIV PRASAD SAHU & ORS. ..... Respondents Through : Mr. D.K. Sharma, Adv. for R – 3. CORAM :- THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE J.R. MIDHA 1. Whether Reporters of Local papers may be allowed to see the Judgment? 2. To be referred to the Reporter or not? Not Necessary 3. Whether the judgment should be reported in the Digest?