Venu v. Kurinchi Pachamuthu

JUDGMENT

The present appeal has been filed by the claimant not being satisfied with the quantum of compensation awarded by the Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal and Special Sub Court, Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District in MCOP No.388 of 2019 dated 12.04.2022.

¶2The case of the claimant is that on 10.02.2019, he was travelling in a two wheeler along with his friend at Hosur to Bangalore Service road and at about 00.50 hours midnight, the offending vehicle which was a lorry and which belonged to the 1st respondent was driven in a rash and negligent manner and it hit the two wheeler. As a result of which, the claimant fell down and sustained crush avulsion injury right axilla and shoulder. The claimant underwent treatment as an in patient for nearly 8 days. The medical board assessed the disability of the claimant at 45%. It is under these circumstances, the claim petition came to be filed seeking for payment of compensation.

¶3The Tribunal on considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on appreciation of oral and documentary evidence, came to a conclusion that the accident had taken place only due to the rash and negligent driving on the part of the driver of the offending vehicle. Having rendered such a finding, the Tribunal took into consideration the fact that there was no subsisting insurance policy, since the cheque that was given towards premium on 28.03.2018, was dishonoured. Hence, the policy was cancelled and it was informed to the owner of the vehicle. Information was also sent to the RTO, Dharmapuri and it was received. Therefore, the Tribunal came to a conclusion that the insurance company cannot be made liable to pay the compensation and that the compensation should be paid only by the 1st respondent.

¶4The Tribunal thereafter proceeded to fix the total compensation at Rs.5,69,573/- under various heads as follows :- Sl.No. Compensation awarded under the head Amount (in Rs.)

¶1Loss of Disability (45

x

5000= Rs.2,25,000) Rs.2,25,000/-

¶2Transportation expenses Rs.12,000/-

¶3Extra Nourishment Rs.18,000/-

¶4Pain and sufferings Rs.36,000/-

¶5Social amenities Rs.36,000/-

¶6Loss of income (1 x Rs.9,000) Rs.9,000/-

¶7Damages to clothes Rs.1,500/-

¶8Medical expenses Rs.2,32,073/- Total Rs.5,69,573/- The above compensation was directed to be paid with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.

¶5The claimant not being satisfied with the quantum of compensation fixed by the Tribunal and exonerating the insurance company from paying the compensation, has filed the present appeal before this Court.

¶6Heard Mr.E.Kannadasan, learned counsel for appellant /claimant and Mr.C.Johnson, learned counsel for 2nd respondent /Insurance company.

¶7This Court has carefully considered the submissions made on either side and the materials available on record.

¶8This Court also carefully went through the award passed by the Tribunal.

¶9The first issue is with regard to exonerating the insurance company from paying the compensation amount. In the instant case, the accident had taken place on 10.02.2019. The 1st respondent has paid the premium amount by way of a cheque marked as Ex.P4 on 28.03.2018. This cheque was dishonoured and hence, the policy was canceled by the Insurance company. The intimation regarding the cancellation of the policy was marked as Ex.R6. This notice that was sent to the 1st respondent was returned with an endorsement "unclaimed". The same was marked as Ex.R7. The intimation was sent to the RTO, Dharmapuri, through Ex.R5 letter and it was received by the RTO and the policy was cancelled, which is evident from R8. In view of the same, as on the date of accident, there was no subsisting insurance policy. Therefore, the Tribunal rightly exonerated the insurance company from paying the compensation amount. This finding of the Tribunal does not suffer from any illegality and the same is hereby sustained.

¶10The next issue is with regard to the quantum of compensation fixed by the Tribunal. The learned counsel for appellant submitted that the claimant in this case was a B.Com graduate, who was working in a finance company and was earning a sum of Rs.30,000/- per month. Due to the injuries sustained by him, it has resulted in functional disability. Therefore, it was contended that the Tribunal ought to have applied the multiplier method.

¶11There was absolutely no evidence before the Tribunal to substantiate that the claimant had suffered from any functional disability in this case. The avocation of the claimant will not be affected due to the injury sustained by the claimant. Therefore, the Tribunal had rightly applied the per percentage method.

¶12The accident in this case had taken place in the year 2019. But however the Tribunal had fixed only a sum of Rs.5,000/- per percentage, which is on the lower side. Considering the judgement of the Division Bench in CMA No.3334 of 2021 dated 15.06.2022, Rs.7,000/- has to be fixed per percentage. Thus, the compensation under the head of loss of disability is fixed at Rs.3,15,000/- (45 x 7000).

¶13Insofar as the loss of income is concerned, the Tribunal has fixed only Rs.9,000/-. Considering the occupation of the claimant, this Court is inclined to enhance the same to Rs.30,000/- (Rs.15,000 x 2 months).

¶14Insofar as the compensation that has been fixed under the other heads, the same is reasonable and it does not require the interference of this Court.

¶15In the light of the above discussion, the compensation fixed by the Tribunal is modified in the following terms :-

Sl.No. Compensation awarded under the head Amount (in Rs.)

¶1Loss of Disability (45

x

7000= Rs.3,15,000) Rs.3,15,000/-

¶2Transportation expenses Rs.12,000/-

¶3Extra Nourishment Rs.18,000/-

¶4Pain and sufferings Rs.36,000/-

¶5Social amenities Rs.36,000/-

¶6Loss of income (2 x Rs.15,000) Rs.30,000/-

¶7Damages to clothes Rs.1,500/-

¶8Medical expenses Rs.2,32,073/-Total Rs.6,80,573/-

¶16The compensation awarded by the Tribunal at Rs.5,69,573/- is enhanced to Rs.6,80,573/-. The 1st respondent is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation, less the amount already deposited, together with interest at 7.5% p.a. from the date of claim petition till the date of deposit within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of this judgment. Insofar as the enhanced compensation of Rs.1,11,000/- is concerned, the appellant/claimant will not be entitled for interest for the period of delay of 323 days as was ordered by this Court in C.M.P.No.14806 of 2023, dated 07.09.2023. Insofar as the enhanced compensation is concerned, the deficit court fee, if not paid, shall be paid by the appellant. The other directions issued by the Tribunal with regard to the mode of payment of compensation remains unaltered.

¶17In the result, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is partly allowed in the above terms. No costs.

09.07.2024 Speaking Judgment/Non-speaking Judgment Index :Yes/No rka N.ANAND VENKATESH.,J rka To, Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal and Special Sub Court, Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District. Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No.2561 of 2023

09.07.2024

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED : 09.07.2024 CORAM THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH Venu ... Appellant Vs. 1. Mrs.Kurinchi Pachamuthu 2. The Branch Manager, National Insurance Co Limited Branch Office, No.88-F, Bye pass Road, Dharmapuri – 636 701 ... Respondents Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the Judgement and Decree dated 12.04.2022 in MCOP No.388 of 2019 on the file of Motor Vehicle Accident Claims Tribunal and Special Sub Court, Krishnagiri, Krishnagiri District. For Appellant : Mr.E.Kannadasan For Respondents : Mr.C.Johnson for R2 *****