Madhya Pradesh High Court
Kusumlata vs Lalaram And Ors. on 18 April, 2002
Equivalent citations: 2003ACJ1966
JUDGMENT Bhawani Singh, C.J.
1. This appeal is directed against the award of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Tikamgarh, in Claim Case No. 50 of 1998, dated 28.8.2000.
2. Kusumlata is the owner of bus No. UP 93-C 0570. This vehicle collided with a tractor resulting in injuries to Mohandas (20) son of Lalaram and Ladkunwar. It was insured with United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Civil Lines, Jhansi. The accident took place on 18.6.1998 at about 9.30 p.m. After sustaining injuries in this accident, Mohandas was shifted to hospital where he died 15-20 days later. Allegation is that the accident took place due to rash and negligent driving of the vehicle by the driver Karansingh. The respondents stated that without impleading the owner and driver of the tractor, application was not maintainable, since it was also responsible for the accident. Insurance company stated that the driver did not possess licence for driving passenger vehicle, therefore, it was not liable to pay the compensation.
3. Claims Tribunal framed three issues in the case, permitted the parties to lead evidence and proceeded to hold that the accident took place as alleged. In this accident, Mohandas suffered injuries and died. With regard to the allegation of appellant that driver and owner of the tractor are not parties to the case, conclusion on evidence is that it was not necessary to do so since it was the bus which struck against the stationary tractor. Ultimately, compensation of Rs. 1,92,000 carrying interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum was awarded, apart from Rs. 250 for counsel's fee.
4. Dissatisfied with the award, this appeal is at the instance of owner of the vehicle, since liability to pay compensation has been fastened on her.
5. Mr. Subodh Pandey contends that liability to pay compensation is of the insurance company and not of the owner, since the vehicle was insured with it. Reliance is placed on three decisions, namely, Ashok Gangadhar Maratha v. Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd. 2000 ACJ 319 (SC); New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Munni Bai 2002 ACJ 1903 (MP) and Savitri Devi v. Naresh Kumar Harikrishna Madhwani 2002 ACJ 1299 (MP). Precisely, the submission is that driver Karansingh possessed driving licence for driving 'heavy goods vehicle' therefore, he could competently drive 'heavy passenger motor vehicle' also, since they have equal unladen weight exceeding 12000 kg. under Sections 2(16) and 2(17) of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short, 'the Act').
6. Mr. Sanjay Agrawal, learned Counsel for United India Insurance Co. Ltd. contends that the driver should have endorsement/authorisation to drive 'public service vehicle' under Section 2(35) of the Act. Since he did not possess such a licence, it could not be said that he possessed valid and effective driving licence to drive this vehicle.
7. Giving serious consideration to the submissions advanced for consideration by learned Counsel for parties, we find that fundamental difference is between 'heavy passenger motor vehicle' and 'heavy goods vehicle' and weight of both kinds of vehicles exceeds 12000 kg. distinction being the nature of use and either of the vehicles can be adapted for use to which they may be put. 'Transport vehicle' defined under Section 2(47) of the Act means a public service vehicle, a goods carriage, an educational institution bus or a private service vehicle. It falls under both Sub-sections (16) and (17) of Section 2 of the Act, read with Section 3 under Chapter II, providing for licensing of drivers of motor vehicles. Section 3 provides that no person shall drive a motor vehicle in any public place unless he holds an effective driving licence issued to him authorising him to drive the vehicle; and no person shall so drive a transport vehicle...unless his driving licence specifically entitles him so to do. We have noticed transport vehicle includes both kinds of vehicles, namely, 'heavy goods vehicle' and 'heavy passenger motor vehicle'. Consequently, conjoint reading of the provisions referred to and discussed would demonstrate that licence possessed by Karansingh was valid and effective driving licence for driving the bus in question.
8. Mr. Sanjay Agrawal contended that Karansingh incorporated the endorsement in his driving licence to drive heavy passenger vehicle on 18.3.1999, which means he complied with the requirement after the date of accident. In view of our conclusion, it was not necessary. At best, later endorsement would show that he knew and could drive heavy passenger motor vehicle, the bus in question, efficiently. The result, therefore, is that finding of the Claims Tribunal on this question is wrong and is set aside. The liability to pay compensation shall be that of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. Civil Lines, Jhansi, with which the vehicle was insured.
9. No other question was pressed for consideration by the learned Counsel for parties.
10. Consequently, the appeal is disposed of in the terms aforesaid, leaving the parties to bear their own costs.