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[Cites 16, Cited by 0]

Bangalore District Court

Hanumakka vs Reliance Gen Ins Co Ltd on 9 January, 2026

KABC020243742022




BEFORE THE COURT OF 10th ADDITIONAL SMALL CAUSES
    AND MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, AT:
                  BENGALURU
                    (SCCH-16)


      Present: Sri. Mohammed Yunus Athani
                                   B.A.,LL.B.,
              X Addl. Judge, Court of Small Causes
               & Member, MACT, Bengaluru.


                   MVC No.4399/2022

                 C/W MVC No.4400/2022


           Dated this 9th day of January, 2026


Petitioners in   1.   Akshatha D/o Late Rudresh @
MVC 4399/2022:        Rudresha,
                      Aged about 13 years,

                 2.   Anusha D/o Late Rudresh @
                      Rudresha,
                      Aged about 12 years,

                 3.   Anjanappa S/o Late
                      Hanumanthappa,
                      Aged about 65 years,

                 4.   Vijayamma W/o Anjanappa,
                      Aged about 59 years,

                      (Petitioners No.1 and 2 are being
                              2             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




                      minors and represented by their
                      grand father and natural guardian
                      Anjanappa S/o Hanumanthappa,
                      Aged about 65 years)

                      Present Address:
                      All are R/at No.662/58,
                      8th Main Road, Prakash Nagar,
                      Siddanahosahalli, Dasanapur Hobli,
                      Bengaluru - 560 067.

                      Permanent Address:
                      #41, Kagathur, Davanagere-577221.

                      (Sri Ashok Kumar, Advocate)


Petitioners in   1.   Hanumakka W/o Late Balappa,
MVC 4400/2022:        Aged about 72 years,

                 2.   Akshatha D/o Late Rudresh @
                      Rudresha,
                      Aged about 13 years,

                 3.   Anusha D/o Late Rudresh @
                      Rudresha,
                      Aged about 12 years,


                      (Petitioners No.2 and 3 are being
                      minors and represented by their
                      grand father and natural guardian
                      Anjanappa S/o Hanumanthappa,
                      Aged about 65 years)

                      Present Address:
                      All are R/at No.662/58,
                                 3              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                  MVC No.4400/2022




                         8th Main Road, Prakash Nagar,
                         Siddanahosahalli, Dasanapur Hobli,
                         Bengaluru - 560 067.

                         Permanent Address:
                         #41, Kagathur, Davanagere-577221.

                         (Sri Ashok Kumar, Advocate)

                   Vs.

Respondents in     1.    Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd.,
both the cases :         T.P. Claims Hub, No.28, 5th Floor,
                         Centenary Building, East Wing,
                         M.G. Road, Bengaluru - 560 001.

                         (Policy No.140822223340000770,
                         period of insurance from 15-01-2022
                         to 14-01-2023)

                         (Sri M. E. Madhu Sudhan, Advocate)

                   2.    Abdul Farooq S/o Zaheer Ahamad,
                         Baragur Hand Post,
                         Channarayapattana Taluk,
                         Hassan District,
                         Channarayapattana - 573 116.

                         (Sri L. P. Suresh, Advocate)



                   COMMON JUDGMENT

      These are petitions filed under Section 166 of Motor

Vehicles Act, seeking compensation of Rs.75,00,000/- each
                              4             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




in MVC No.4399/2022 and MVC No.4400/2022, from the

respondents, on account of death of the deceased

Suneetha A., in MVC No.4399/2022 and Rudresh @

Rudresha in MVC No.4400/2022 in a road traffic accident.



2.   The brief facts of the case are as follows :

     On 27-07-2022 at about 9.15 p.m., the deceased P.

Suneetha A., in MVC No.4399/2022 and Rudresh @

Rudresha in MVC No.4400/2022 were proceeding as pillion

rider and rider on a motorcycle bearing Reg. No.KA-06-EK-

8230. The deceased Rudresh was riding the said motorcycle

slowly, cautiously, by observing all the traffic rules and

regulations on NH-4 Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Fly over,

Goragunte Palya and proceeding towards Chikkabidarkallu.

When they reached near Fly over Lay Bye, at that time all of

a sudden a Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing Reg. No.KA-04-

C-2800 driven by its driver with high speed, in rash and

negligent manner, without observing the traffic norms,

endangering to human life, came on wrong lane and
                                  5             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                  MVC No.4400/2022




dashed against the motorcycle of the deceased from

behind. Due to said impact, both the deceased fell down on

the road and sustained grievous head injuries. Immediately

after the accident, they were shifted to K.C. General

Hospital, wherein the doctors examined them and declared

that they succumbed to the fatal injuries on the way to the

hospital.   Earlier   to   the   accident,   the   deceased     in

MVC No.4399/2022 was working as tailor and also doing

saree business and was earning Rs.35,000/- per month. She

was contributing her entire earnings to her family. Due to

untimely death of a sole bread earner, the petitioners are

struggling for their livelihood. Earlier to the accident, the

deceased in MVC No.4400/2022 was working as civil work

contractor and was earning Rs.40,000/- per month. He was

contributing his entire earnings to his family. Due to

untimely death of a sole bread earner, the petitioners are

struggling for their livelihood. The Peenya Traffic Police

have registered the case against the driver of the said Tata
                               6              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




207 Towing Crane for the offences punishable under

Section 279, 337 and 304(A) of I.P.C. The respondent No.1 is

the insurer and respondent No.2 is the owner of the

offending vehicle. Hence, they are jointly and severally

liable to pay compensation to the petitioners. Therefore, it

is prayed to allow the petitions and award compensation of

Rs.75,00,000/- each in MVC No.4399/2022 and MVC

No.4400/2022, with interest at the rate of 12% per annum.


3.    On service of notice to the respondents, the

respondents No.1 and 2 have appeared through their

counsel. The respondent No.1 has filed its written

statement. Whereas, the respondent No.2 did not choose to

file his written statement.



4.    The respondent No.1 in its written statement has

denied all the allegations made in the petition. It has denied

the existence of the policy in respect of the vehicle bearing

No.KA-04-C-2800 of the respondent No.2. It has also denied
                              7             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




the age, income and avocation of the deceased. It has

contended that, the petition is bad for non-compliance of

provision under Sections 134(C) and 158(6) of Motor

Vehicles Act. Further it is contended that, the compensation

claimed is highly excessive and exorbitant. Further, it has

sought for permission to contest the case even on behalf of

respondent No.2, under Section 170 of the Motor Vehicles

Act. Further it is contended that, the driver of offending

vehicle drove the same without holding driving licence at

the material time of accident, which is in contravention of

the policy condition and also Motor Vehicles Act. The

respondent No.2 being the owner of offending vehicle has

knowing fully entrusted the said vehicle to the driver, not

holding driving licence and there was no permit and fitness

certificate to the offending vehicle to ply the same on the

road at the material time of the accident. Thereby the

respondent No.2 has violated the terms and conditions of

the policy. As such the respondent No.1 is not liable to pay
                                8              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                 MVC No.4400/2022




any compensation or to indemnify the respondent No.2 in

any manner whatsoever and the petition is liable to be

dismissed against the respondent No.1. Further it is

contended that, both the deceased were not wearing

helmet while proceeding on the motorcycle at the material

point of time of accident. This is clear violation of provisions

of the Motor Vehicles Act and its rules. Further it is

contended that, there is inordinate delay in lodging the

complaint. The petitioners have completely utilized the said

delay in concocting and creating the case, with an intention

to claim against the respondent No1. Further it is

contended that, the deceased was riding the motorcycle

bearing No.KA-06-EK-8230 in a rash and negligent manner,

in the middle of the road and all of a sudden came infront

of the vehicle of the respondent No.2 and contributed to

the accident. But, while lodging the complaint the entire

facts are twisted and lodged the false complaint and

accordingly managed to file false charge-sheet against the
                                9              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                 MVC No.4400/2022




driver of insured vehicle, in collusion with the concerned

police. Further it is contended that, the alleged accident has

taken place due to the negligence on the part of the

deceased himself, as he was not holding driving licence to

ride the motorcycle. The deceased in MVC No.4399/2022

took the risk of traveling on the said motorcycle, knowing

fully well that the rider was not holding driving licence. This

is clear case of "Valunti non fit injuria". As such, the owner

of the vehicle bearing No.KA-06-EK-8230 is liable to pay the

compensation to the petitioner. Further in its additional

written statement, it has contended that, the investigating

officer has filed the charge-sheet against the driver of the

offending vehicle and respondent No.2, as accused No.1

and 2 respectively and also he has filed charge-sheet

against   one   Balaramareddy      S/o   Pullareddy,     Class-I

Contractor, as accused No.3, wherein it is clearly mentioned

that he has received the contract from the National

Highway Authority of India, for the repair of the road on fly
                              10             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




over, as the water was lagging on the fly over and also to

repair the street light. But he was not attended the said

work well within time and due to negligence on his part has

led to the accident. Further, the investigating officer has

filed charge-sheet against one Shabaz Alam who is the

Supervisor and A.K. Jhan Bass, who is the Project Director of

National Highway Authority of India. They have been

charge-sheeted as accused No.3 and 4 respectively, for the

offences punishable under Section 280, 304(A) of IPC.

Further it is contended that, the vehicle of the deceased was

badly damaged and not even a single damage was found to

be caused to the vehicle of respondent No.1, which has

been clearly noted in the Motor Vehicle Accident report.

This clearly goes to show and confirms that, the vehicle of

the respondent No.1 was not at all involved in the alleged

accident in any manner whatsoever. Further it is contended

that, in reply to the letter dated 09-08-2022 issued by the

Police Inspector, Peenya Traffic Police, the National
                                11                 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                     MVC No.4400/2022




Highways Authority of India, dated 16-08-2022, it is clearly

mentioned in the said letter that, no entry for the two-

wheeler and three-wheeler at the entry and exit of the

elevated highway was installed and they have enclosed the

photograph along with the said reply. As such, it is crystal

clear that, the absolute negligence is on the part of the

deceased who entered the road where it is absolutely

restricted. Hence, this respondent is not at all liable to pay

or to indemnify the respondent No.1 in any manner

whatsoever and the petition is liable to be dismissed

against it. For the above denials and contentions, it is

prayed to dismiss the petitions.


5.    On the basis of rival pleadings of both the sides, the

following issues are framed:

                       Issues in MVC No.4399/2022

         1.    Whether     the      petitioners     prove     that,

               deceased Suneetha A. W/o Late Rudresh,

               has succumbed to the grievous injuries
                    12               MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                       MVC No.4400/2022




     sustained in the road traffic accident,

     alleged to have been occurred on 27-07-

     2022   at   about    9.15    p.m.,    on     NH-4

     Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Flyover, near

     Lay Bye, Bengaluru, due to the rash and

     negligent driving of the driver of the Tata

     207 Towing Crane bearing registration

     No.KA-04-C-2800 ?


2.   Whether the petitioners are entitled for

     compensation? If so, what is the quantum

     and from whom ?


3.   What order or Award ?


            Issues in MVC No.4400/2022

1.   Whether      the    petitioners      prove    that,

     deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha S/o Late

     Balappa, has succumbed to the grievous

     injuries    sustained   in   the     road    traffic
                              13                MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                  MVC No.4400/2022




                accident, alleged to have been occurred on

                27-07-2022 at about 9.15 p.m., on NH-4

                Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Flyover, near

                Lay Bye, Bengaluru, due to the rash and

                negligent driving of the driver of the Tata

                207 Towing Crane bearing registration

                No.KA-04-C-2800 ?


           2.   Whether the petitioners are entitled to

                compensation? If so, what is the quantum

                and from whom ?


           3.   What order or Award ?



6.    In order to prove their case, the petitioner No.3 in

MVC    No.4399/2022    and        petitioner   No.1    in    MVC

No.4400/2022 have got examined themselves as P.W.1 and

P.W.2 respectively and got marked total 22 documents as

Ex.P.1 to 22. On the other hand, the respondent No.1 has

examined the R.T.O. Hassan, Police Inspector of Electronic
                              14               MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                 MVC No.4400/2022




City Traffic Police Station, Police Inspector of C.I.D.,

Bengaluru, Manager Technical, NHAI, Bengaluru and

Manager-Legal of respondent No.1 company as R.W.1 to

R.W.5 respectively and got marked total 22 documents as

Ex.R.1 to 22. Whereas, the respondent No.2 has not

adduced any evidence on his behalf.


7.   I have heard the arguments of both the sides and

perused the entire material placed on record. The counsel

for petitioners has relied on the following decisions in

support of his arguments:

         i.   Akula   Narayana    V/s   The     Oriental

              Insurance Co. Ltd., and another, in Civil

              Appeal No.013509/2025 (Arising out of

              SLP (C) No.8434/2023), judgment dated

              10-11-2025.


8.   My findings on the above issues are as under:

       In MVC No.4399/2022 & MVC No.4400/2022

     Issue No.1: Affirmative
                               15            MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




     Issue No.2: Partly Affirmative

     Issue No.3: As per the final order, for the

                 following:


                       REASONS

9.   Issue No.1 in both the cases: It is specific case of the

petitioners in both the cases that, on 27-07-2022 at about

9.15 p.m., when the deceased P. Suneetha and deceased

Rudresh @ Rudresha were proceeding on a motorcycle

bearing Reg. No.KA-06-EK-8230, as pillion rider and rider,

slowly, cautiously, by observing all the traffic rules and

regulations, on NH-4 Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Fly over,

Goragunte Palya and proceeding towards Chikkabidarkallu,

at that time all of a sudden the offending Tata 207 Towing

Crane bearing Reg. No.KA-04-C-2800, driven by its driver

with high speed, in rash and negligent manner, came on

wrong lane and dashed against the motorcycle of the

deceased from behind. Due to the said impact, both the
                                16            MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




deceased have fell down on the road, sustained grievous

head injuries and succumbed to said injuries.


10.   In order to prove their case, the petitioner No.3 in

MVC No.4399/2022 and the petitioner No.1 in MVC

No.4400/2022 have got examined themselves as P.W.1 and

P.W.2 respectively, by filing their examination-in-chief

affidavits,   wherein   they   have   reiterated   the   entire

averments made in the petition. In support of their oral

evidence, the petitioners have got marked 22 documents as

Ex.P.1 to 22. Out of the said documents, Ex.P.1 is true copy

of F.I.R., Ex.P.2 is true copy of first information statement,

Ex.P.3 are true copy of spot mahazar and sketch, Ex.P.4 is

true copy of Motor Vehicle Accident report, Ex.P.5 is true

copy of inquest, Ex.P.6 is true copy of post-mortem report,

Ex.P.7 is true copy of charge-sheet, Ex.P.8 is true copy of

notice under Section 133 of Motor Vehicles Act, Ex.P.9 is

true copy of reply to notice under Section 133 of Motor

Vehicles Act, Ex.P.10 is true copy of fast tag statement,
                               17              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                 MVC No.4400/2022




Ex.P.11 is notarized copy of Aadhar card of deceased,

Ex.P.12 to 15 are notarized copy of Aadhar cards of

petitioners, Ex.P.16 is true copy of inquest, Ex.P.17 is true

copy of post-mortem report, Ex.P.18 is notarized copy of

Aadhar card of deceased, Ex.P.19 is notarized copy of

driving licence of deceased and Ex.P.20 to 22 are notarized

copy of Aadhar cards of petitioners.



11.   On meticulously going through the police documents

marked as Ex.P.1 to 9, 16 and 17, prima-facia it reveals that,

the alleged accident has taken place due to rash and

negligent driving of the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing

Crane bearing Reg. No.KA-04-C-2800 and dashing the same

to the motorcycle bearing No.KA-06-EK-8230 of the

deceased from behind. Further it reveals that, due to said

impact the rider and pillion rider both have sustained

multiple injuries all over the body and succumbed to said

injuries, on the way to the hospital. The investigation officer

in his Ex.P.7 final report/charge-sheet has clearly stated
                              18             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




that, the alleged accident has occurred due to rash and

negligent driving of the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing

Crane bearing Reg. No.KA-04-C-2800 and dashing the same

to the motorcycle bearing No.KA-06-EK-8230 of the

deceased from behind. Further, he has filed charge-sheet

against the Supervisor and the Project Director of National

Highway Authority of India, as accused No.3 and 4

respectively, alleging that, due to non-maintenance of the

road at the place of accident, has also contributed to the

said accident.



12.   At the outset it is pertinent to note that, in both the

cases, the date, time and place of accident, involvement of

Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing Reg. No.KA-04-C-2800 in the

alleged accident, issuance of insurance policy in respect of

said vehicle by the respondent No.1 and its validity as on

the date of accident, are not in dispute. Further, the above

averred facts and circumstances of the accident has

remained undisputed by the respondent No.2, who is the
                              19             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




owner of offending vehicle bearing Reg. No.KA-04-C-2800.

But, the respondent No.1 has specifically denied the above

averred facts and circumstances of the accident and taken

specific defence that, the accident has occurred due to rash

and negligent riding of the deceased himself, as he was

riding the motorcycle bearing No.KA-06-EK-8230 in the

middle of the road, in rash and negligent manner and all of

a sudden came infront of the vehicle of the respondent

No.2 and contributed to the accident. Further it is

contended that, while lodging the complaint the entire facts

are twisted by the petitioners and lodged a false complaint

against the driver of Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing Reg.

No.KA-04-C-2800 and they have caused to file false charge-

sheet against the said driver, in collusion with the Police

authorities. But, the respondent No.1 has failed to establish

the said contentions. Except the self serving statements of

R.W.5,   who   is   the   representative/Manager-Legal       of

respondent No.1 insurance company, there is no other
                              20             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




corroborative oral or documentary evidence placed on

record by the respondent No.1 to show that, the accident

has taken place due to rash and negligent riding of the

motorcycle by the deceased himself and there was no

negligence on the part of the driver of offending vehicle. If

really the said accident had taken place due to rash and

negligent riding of the deceased himself, the same could

have been easily established by examining the eye-witness

to the alleged accident. But, the respondent No.1 has not

taken any strain to examine the eye-witness to the alleged

accident, for the reasons best known to it. There is

absolutely no evidence on record to show that, at the

relevant point of time of accident the deceased was riding

his motorcycle in rash and negligent manner and the

accident has taken place due to his own negligence.


13.   Further, the respondent No.1 has even failed to

establish the alleged contention that, the said accident has

taken place due to negligence of the accused No.3 and 4. It
                              21              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




is contended that, the accused No.3 & 4 have entered into

contract with the National Highway Authority of India for

repair of the road on fly over, as the water was lagging on

the fly over and to repair the street lights. But, they have

not attended the said work well within time and their

negligence has contributed to the cause of accident. In

order to establish the same, the respondent No.1 has

examined    the   police   officers   who   have   conducted

investigation in the case and the Manager Technical,

National Highway Authority of India, Bengaluru, as R.W.2 to

4 respectively. But, nowhere in their evidence the R.W.2 o 4

have deposed that, at the relevant point of time of accident,

there was water lagging on the said road and the street

lights were not operating and due to which the driver of

offending Tata 207 Towing Crane vehicle has lost control

over his vehicle and dashed against the motorcycle of the

deceased. Therefore, in such circumstances, mere for the

reason that, the accused No.3 & 4 have not attended their
                              22             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




work or they have not completed the alleged work well

within time, as per the contract, they cannot be held liable

for the alleged accident. There is no nexus between the

cause of accident and non-completion of assigned work by

the accused No.3 & 4. On the other hand, the oral and

documentary evidence placed on record by the petitioners

clearly establishes that, the said accident has occurred due

to rash and negligent driving of the driver of offending Tata

207 Towing Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 and dashing

the same to the motorcycle of the deceased from behind,

which was proceeding in the same direction. Though, the

learned counsel for respondent No.1 has cross-examined

P.W.1 and P.W.2 in length, nothing worth has been elicited

from their mouth which creates doubt on the veracity of

their evidence or which goes to show that, the said accident

has occurred due to negligence of the deceased or there

was any contributory negligence on his part in the cause of

accident.
                             23             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




14.    Further, the respondent No.1 has even failed to

establish the alleged contention that, the two-wheeler and

three wheeler vehicles were not permitted to ply on the said

fly over road. Except the self serving statements of R.W.5,

who is none other than the representative/Manager of

respondent No.1 insurance company, there is no other oral

and documentary evidence placed on record by the

respondent No.1 to show that, the two-wheeler and three

wheeler vehicles were not permitted to ply on the said fly

over road, as on the date of accident. Admittedly, the

respondent      No.1     has     not      produced        any

document/notification issued by the competent authority

with respect to same and even it has failed to prove that,

there was a caution board installed at the starting point of

the said fly over road notifying that, the two-wheeler and

three wheeler vehicles are not permitted to ply on the said

fly over road. The R.W.3 has clearly admitted in his cross-

examination that, there was no such board installed at the
                             24             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




starting point of the said fly over, during the course of

drawing spot mahazar of the place of accident. Even,

nothing with respect to same has been mentioned in the

Ex.P.3 spot mahazar or spot sketch.



15.   The Ex.P.3 spot mahazar and sketch clearly speaks

that, the accident has taken place on 22 feet wide NH-48

Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Fly over lay bye, near Dasarahalli

Metro Station, in between offending Tata 207 Towing Crane

bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 and ongoing motorcycle bearing

No.KA-06-EK-8230 of the deceased, which were proceeding

in the same direction. Further, as per the Motor Vehicle

Accident Report, which is marked as Ex.P.4, the accident is

not caused due to any mechanical defects in the vehicles

involved in the accident. When the accident was not caused

due to the any mechanical defects in the vehicles involved

in the accident and there was no negligence on the part of

the deceased, then in the present facts and circumstances

of the case, it can be presumed that, the said accident had
                               25              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                 MVC No.4400/2022




occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the driver of

offending vehicle. The investigation officer in his Ex.P.7 final

report/charge-sheet has clearly stated that, the accident in

question has taken place due to rash and negligent driving

of the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing

No.KA-04-C-2800 and the deceased Suneetha A. and

Rudresh have succumbed to grievous injuries sustained in

the said accident. Admittedly, the said final report/charge-

sheet has not been challenged either by the owner or the

driver of offending vehicle. In such circumstances, there is

no impediment to believe the charge-sheet/final report of

the investigation officer and other police records, regarding

the date, time and place of accident, involvement of the

offending vehicle, rash and negligent driving of the driver

of offending vehicle and injuries caused to the deceased in

the said accident and cause of their death.



16.   Further, the Ex.P.6 and 17 post-mortem reports,

clearly speaks that, deceased Suneetha and Rudresh have
                                26               MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                   MVC No.4400/2022




died due to shock and multiple injuries sustained in the

road traffic accident. On the other hand, there is no rebuttal

evidence placed on record by the respondents to show that,

the above medical records are false. In such circumstances

and in the light of above observations, it can safely be held

that, the respondents have failed to rebut the oral and

documentary evidence placed on record by the petitioners,

regarding the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the

offending Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800

and cause of death of deceased Suneetha and Rudresh.



17.   Further, it is well settled principle of law that, in a case

relating to the Motor Accident Claims, the claimants are not

required to prove the case as required to be done in a

criminal trial. The Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of

Parameshwari V/s Amir Chand and others, reported in

(2011) 11 SCC 635, has clearly held that, "in a road accident

claim cases the strict principle of proof in a criminal case

are not required."
                             27             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




18.   The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of Bimla Devi

and others V/s Himachal Road Transport Corporation

and others, reported in (2009) 13 SCC 513, has clearly held

that, "in a case relating to the Motor Accident Claims, the

claimants are merely required to establish their case on

touch stone of preponderance of probability and the

standard of proof on beyond reasonable doubt could not be

applied."



19.   Therefore, in the light of observations made in the

above cited decisions and for the above stated reasons, this

Court is of the considered opinion that, the petitioners in

both the two cases have successfully proved that, the

deceased Suneetha A., in MVC No.4399/2022 and Rudresh

@ Rudresha in MVC No.4400/2022 have succumbed to

grievous injuries, sustained in the road traffic accident

occurred on 27-07-2022 at about 9.15 p.m., on NH-4

Bengaluru-Tumkur Peenya Flyover, near Lay Bye, Bengaluru,
                              28              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the

Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800. Hence, I

answer Issue No.1 in both the cases in Affirmative.



20.   Issue No.2 in MVC No.4399/2022: While answering

the above issue, for the reasons stated therein, this Court

has already held that, the petitioners have successfully

proved through cogent and corroborative evidence that,

the accident is caused due to rash and negligent driving of

the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing

No.KA-04-C-2800    and    the     deceased   Suneetha       has

succumbed to grievous injuries sustained in the said

accident. Now the petitioners are required to establish that,

they are the legal representatives of the deceased. In this

regard, they have produced the Aadhar card of deceased

Suneetha and their respective Aadhar cards, which are

marked as Ex.P.11 to 15. The said documents clearly goes to

show that, the petitioners No.1 and 2 are the daughters and
                             29            MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                             MVC No.4400/2022




petitioners No.3 and 4 are the parents of deceased

Suneetha. On the other hand, the relationship of the

petitioners with the deceased Suneetha is not specifically

denied by the respondents in the case and even there is no

contrary evidence on record with respect to same. In such

circumstances, there is no impediment to believe the above

documents produced by the petitioners and hold that, the

petitioners are the legal representatives of deceased

Suneetha.



21.    The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of National

Insurance Co. V/s Birender, reported in (2020) 11 SCC 356,

has clearly held that,


             "The legal representatives of the
      deceased    could   move     application    for
      compensation by virtue of clause (c) of Section
      166(1). The major married son who is also
      earning and not fully dependant on the
      deceased, would be still covered by the
      expression "legal representative" of the
      deceased. This Court in Manjuri Bera (supra)
      had expounded that liability to pay
      compensation under the Act does not cease
                             30             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




      because of absence of dependency of the
      concerned legal representative. Notably, the
      expression "legal representative" has not been
      defined in the Act.
             The Tribunal has a duty to make an
      award,      determine      the     amount     of
      compensation which is just and proper and
      specify the person or persons to whom such
      compensation would be paid. The latter part
      relates to the entitlement of compensation by
      a person who claims for the same.
             It is thus settled by now that the legal
      representatives of the deceased have a right to
      apply for compensation. Having said that, it
      must necessarily follow that even the major
      married and earning sons of the deceased
      being legal representatives have a right to
      apply for compensation and it would be the
      bounden duty of the Tribunal to consider the
      application irrespective of the fact whether the
      concerned legal representative was fully
      dependent on the deceased and not to limit
      the claim towards conventional heads only."


22.    According to the ratio laid down in above decision,

the legal representatives though not fully dependent on the

deceased are entitled to claim compensation under all the

heads i.e., under both conventional and non-conventional

heads. In order to determine the compensation, the age,

avocation, income, dependency, future prospects of the
                              31             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




deceased and other conventional heads are to be

ascertained.


23.   The compensation towards loss of dependency:

      The oral and documentary evidence placed on record

by the petitioners clearly establishes that, the petitioners

are the legal representatives of the deceased Suneetha and

they were depending on the deceased. The dependency

does not only mean financial dependency. Even if the

dependency is a relevant criterion to claim compensation

for loss of dependency, it does not mean financial

dependency is the 'ark of the covenant'. Dependency

includes   gratuitous     service   dependency,       physical

dependency, emotional dependency and psychological

dependency. Hence, this Court is of the opinion that, all the

petitioners are entitled for compensation under the head of

loss of dependency. In order to calculate the loss of

dependency, the first step is to determine the age and

income of the deceased.
                              32             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




     i)    Age and income of the deceased: The

petitioners have averred that, the age of deceased as on the

date of accident was 30 years. To substantiate this point,

the petitioners have produced the Aadhar card of deceased

Suneetha A., which is marked as Ex.P.11, wherein the date

of birth of the deceased is mentioned as 23-06-1992.

Admittedly, the accident has occurred on 27-07-2022. This

clearly goes to show that, as on the date of accident the age

of the deceased was 30 years. It is averred in the petition

that, as on the date of accident the deceased was hale and

healthy and she was working as tailor and also doing saree

business and was earning a sum of Rs.35,000/- per month.

But, the petitioners have not produced any document to

show that, before accident the deceased Suneetha A., was

working as tailor and also doing saree business and was

earning a sum of Rs.35,000/- per month. In such

circumstances, there is no other option before this Court,
                              33             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




except to consider the notional income as per the

guidelines of the Karnataka State Legal Services Authority.

      a)   The Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the

cases of, G. T. Basavaraj V/s Niranjan and another, in

MFA    No.7781/2016,      judgment     dated     11-08-2022,

Ramanna and another V/s Y. B. Mahesh and another in

MFA No.140/2017, judgment dated 16-01-2020 and New

India Assurance Co. Ltd., V/s Anusaya and others in MFA

No.101195/2014, judgment dated 05-01-2023, has clearly

held that, "when the income of the deceased is not proved,

then the notional income as per the guidelines issued by

Karnataka State Legal Services Authority is to be adopted as

the income of the deceased."

      b)   Admittedly, the accident has taken place in the

year 2022. Therefore, the notional income of the deceased

as per the guidelines issued by Karnataka State Legal

Services Authority is to be treated as Rs.15,500/- per month.
                              34             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




Therefore, the annual income of the deceased in the

present case is held as Rs.1,86,000/-.

      ii)    As per the ratio laid down by the Hon'ble

Supreme Court, in the case of National Insurance Co. Ltd.,

V/s Pranay Sethi and others, reported in (2017) 16 SCC

680, the legal heirs of deceased are also entitled for future

prospects of the deceased, though he was not a permanent

employee, as on the date of death. Since the deceased was

aged about 30 years and was not a permanent employee,

the future prospects would be 40% of her income, which

comes to Rs.74,400/-. Therefore, the future prospects of the

deceased is held as Rs.74,400/-. If this income is added to

the notional income, then it comes to Rs.2,60,400/-. Further,

the annual income of the deceased comes within the

exemption limits as per Income Tax Act.

      iii)   The deduction of personal expenses and

calculating the multiplier: The family of the deceased

consist of 4 persons i.e., petitioners No.1 to 4. The total
                               35            MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




number of dependents of the deceased are four. Therefore,

deduction towards the personal expenses of deceased is

taken as 1/4th of the total income, which comes to

Rs.65,100/-. After deducting 1/4th out of total income,

towards the personal expenses of the deceased, the annual

income of the deceased is held as Rs.1,95,300/-.

      iv)   As on the date of death, the age of the

deceased was 30 years. As per the guidelines laid down by

the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sarla Verma and

others V/s Delhi Transport Corporation and another,

reported in 2009 ACJ 1298 S.C., the appropriate multiplier in

the present case is taken as 17. Accordingly, the

compensation under the head of loss of dependency is held

as Rs.1,95,300/- x 17 = Rs.33,20,100/-.

      v)    Compensation under conventional heads: In

the present case, admittedly the petitioners No.1 and 2 are

the daughters and petitioners No.3 and 4 are the parents of

deceased Suneetha A. Hence, the petitioners No.1 to 4 are
                                36              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                  MVC No.4400/2022




entitled for compensation under the head of parental and

filial consortium. As per the guidelines laid down by the

Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance

Co. Ltd. V/s Pranay Sethi and others, reported in (2017) 16

SCC   680,    the    compensation      under    the    following

conventional heads is awarded:

             a)     Loss of estate - Rs. 15,000/-

             b)     Loss of consortium - Rs. 40,000/- each

             c)     Funeral expenses - Rs. 15,000/-

      The compensation under above heads has to be

enhanced 10% for every 3 years. Seven years have been

lapsed from the date of the judgment. Therefore, the

compensation under the above conventional heads is

enhanced by 20%, the loss of estate comes to Rs.18,000/-,

the loss of parental and filial consortium comes to

Rs.48,000/- each to petitioners No.1 to 4 and funeral

expenses comes to Rs.18,000/-.
                                  37                 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                       MVC No.4400/2022




24.     Accordingly,     the    petitioners   are      entitled     for

compensation under different heads as follows:

  Sl.              Head of
                                              Amount/Rs
 No.            Compensation

  1.    Loss of dependency             Rs. 33,20,100-00
  2.    Loss of parental and filial    Rs.    1,92,000-00
        consortium
  3.    Loss of estate                 Rs.     18,000-00
  4.    Funeral expenses               Rs.     18,000-00
                       Total           Rs. 35,48,100-00


        Therefore,      the    petitioners    are      entitled     for

compensation of Rs.35,48,100/-, with interest at the rate of

6% per annum, from the date of petition till its realization.



25.     Issue No.2 in MVC No.4400/2022: While answering

the above issue, for the reasons stated therein, this Court

has already held that, the petitioners have successfully

proved through cogent and corroborative evidence that,

the accident has taken place due to rash and negligent

driving of the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing Crane

bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 and the deceased Rudresh @
                             38             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




Rudresha has succumbed to grievous injuries sustained in

the said accident. Now the petitioners are required to

establish that, they are the legal representatives of the

deceased. In this regard, they have produced the Aadhar

card of deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha and their respective

Aadhar cards, which are marked as Ex.P.18 and 20 to 22.

The said documents clearly goes to show that, the

petitioner No.1 is the mother and petitioners No.2 and 3 are

the daughters of deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha. On the

other hand, the relationship of the petitioners with the

deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha., is not specifically denied by

the respondent No.1 in the case and even there is no

rebuttal evidence with respect to same placed on record by

the respondent No.1. In such circumstances, there is no

impediment to believe the above documents produced by

the petitioners and hold that, the petitioners are the legal

representatives of deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha.
                             39            MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                             MVC No.4400/2022




26.    The Hon'ble Supreme Court, in the case of National

Insurance Co. V/s Birender, reported in (2020) 11 SCC 356,

has clearly held that,


             "The legal representatives of the
      deceased      could    move    application  for
      compensation by virtue of clause (c) of Section
      166(1). The major married son who is also
      earning and not fully dependant on the
      deceased, would be still covered by the
      expression "legal representative" of the
      deceased. This Court in Manjuri Bera (supra)
      had expounded that liability to pay
      compensation under the Act does not cease
      because of absence of dependency of the
      concerned legal representative. Notably, the
      expression "legal representative" has not been
      defined in the Act.
             The Tribunal has a duty to make an
      award,      determine      the    amount     of
      compensation which is just and proper and
      specify the person or persons to whom such
      compensation would be paid. The latter part
      relates to the entitlement of compensation by
      a person who claims for the same.
             It is thus settled by now that the legal
      representatives of the deceased have a right to
      apply for compensation. Having said that, it
      must necessarily follow that even the major
      married and earning sons of the deceased
      being legal representatives have a right to
      apply for compensation and it would be the
      bounden duty of the Tribunal to consider the
                              40              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




      application irrespective of the fact whether the
      concerned legal representative was fully
      dependent on the deceased and not to limit
      the claim towards conventional heads only."


27.    According to the ratio laid down in above decision,

the legal representatives though not fully dependent on the

deceased are entitled to claim compensation under all the

heads i.e., under both conventional and non-conventional

heads. In order to determine the compensation, the age,

avocation, income, dependency, future prospects of the

deceased and other conventional heads are to be

ascertained.


28.    The compensation towards loss of dependency:

The oral and documentary evidence placed on record by the

petitioners clearly establishes that, the petitioners are the

legal representatives of the deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha

and    they    were   depending   on   the   deceased.      The

dependency does not only mean financial dependency.

Even if the dependency is a relevant criterion to claim
                                      41                  MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                            MVC No.4400/2022




compensation for loss of dependency, it does not mean

financial   dependency         is    the   'ark     of   the    covenant'.

Dependency          includes   gratuitous         service    dependency,

physical     dependency,            emotional       dependency          and

psychological dependency.             Hence, this Court is of the

opinion     that,     all   the     petitioners      are    entitled     for

compensation under the head of loss of dependency. In

order to calculate the loss of dependency, the first step is to

determine the age and income of the deceased.


      i)     Age and income of the deceased: The

petitioners have averred that, the age of deceased as on the

date of accident was 36 years. To substantiate this point,

the petitioners have produced the Aadhar card and driving

licence of deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha, which are marked

as Ex.P.18 and 19, wherein the date of birth of the deceased

is mentioned as 04-08-1985. Admittedly, the accident has

occurred on 27-07-2022. This clearly goes to show that, as

on the date of accident the age of the deceased was 37
                             42             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




years. It is averred in the petition that, as on the date of

accident the deceased was hale and healthy and was

working as Civil Work Contractor and was earning a sum of

Rs.40,000/- per month. But, the petitioners have not

produced any document to show that, before accident the

deceased Rudresh @ Rudresha, was working as Civil Work

Contractor and was earning a sum of Rs.40,000/- per

month. In such circumstances, there is no other option

before this Court, except to consider the notional income as

per the guidelines of the Karnataka State Legal Services

Authority.

      a)     The Hon'ble High Court of Karnataka in the

cases of, G. T. Basavaraj V/s Niranjan and another, in

MFA    No.7781/2016,     judgment      dated    11-08-2022,

Ramanna and another V/s Y. B. Mahesh and another in

MFA No.140/2017, judgment dated 16-01-2020 and New

India Assurance Co. Ltd., V/s Anusaya and others in MFA

No.101195/2014, judgment dated 05-01-2023, has clearly
                              43             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




held that, "when the income of the deceased is not proved,

then the notional income as per the guidelines issued by

Karnataka State Legal Services Authority is to be adopted as

the income of the deceased."

      b)    Admittedly, the accident has taken place in the

year 2022. Therefore, the notional income of the deceased

as per the guidelines issued by Karnataka State Legal

Services Authority is to be treated as Rs.15,500/- per month.

Therefore, the annual income of the deceased in the

present case is held as Rs.1,86,000/-.

      ii)   As per the ratio laid down by the Hon'ble

Supreme Court, in the case of National Insurance Co. Ltd.,

V/s Pranay Sethi and others, reported in (2017) 16 SCC

680, the legal heirs of deceased are also entitled for future

prospects of the deceased, though he was not a permanent

employee, as on the date of death. Since the deceased was

aged about 37 years and was not a permanent employee,

the future prospects would be 40% of his income, which
                              44             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                               MVC No.4400/2022




comes to Rs.74,400/-. Therefore, the future prospects of the

deceased is held as Rs.74,400/-. If this income is added to

the notional income, then it comes to Rs.2,60,400/-. Further,

the annual income of the deceased comes within the

exemption limits as per Income Tax Act.

     iii)   The deduction of personal expenses and

calculating the multiplier: The family of the deceased

consist of 3 persons i.e., petitioners No.1 to 3. The total

number of dependents of the deceased are three.

Therefore, deduction towards the personal expenses of

deceased is taken as 1/3rd of the total income, which comes

to Rs.86,800/-. After deducting 1/3rd out of total income,

towards the personal expenses of the deceased, the annual

income of the deceased is held as Rs.1,73,600/-.

      iv)   As on the date of death, the age of the

deceased was 37 years. As per the guidelines laid down by

the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Sarla Verma and

others V/s Delhi Transport Corporation and another,
                                45              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                  MVC No.4400/2022




reported in 2009 ACJ 1298 S.C., the appropriate multiplier in

the present case is taken as 15. Accordingly, the

compensation under the head of loss of dependency is held

as Rs.1,73,600/- x 15 = Rs.26,04,000/-.

      v)     Compensation under conventional heads: In

the present case, admittedly the petitioner No.1 is mother

and petitioners No.2 and 3 are the daughters of deceased

Rudresh @ Rudresha. Hence, the petitioners No.1 to 3 are

entitled for compensation under the head of filial and

parental consortium. As per the guidelines laid down by the

Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance

Co. Ltd. V/s Pranay Sethi and others, reported in (2017) 16

SCC   680,    the    compensation      under    the    following

conventional heads is awarded:

             a)     Loss of estate - Rs. 15,000/-

             b)     Loss of consortium - Rs. 40,000/- each

             c)     Funeral expenses - Rs. 15,000/-

      The compensation under above heads has to be

enhanced 10% for every 3 years. Seven years have been
                                  46                 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                       MVC No.4400/2022




lapsed from the date of the judgment. Therefore, the

compensation under the above conventional heads is

enhanced by 20%, the loss of estate comes to Rs.18,000/-,

the loss of filial and parental consortium comes to

Rs.48,000/- each to petitioners No.1 to 3 and funeral

expenses comes to Rs.18,000/-.


29.     Accordingly,     the    petitioners   are      entitled     for

compensation under different heads as follows:


  Sl.              Head of
                                              Amount/Rs
 No.            Compensation

  1.    Loss of dependency             Rs. 26,04,000-00
  2.    Loss of filial and parental    Rs.    1,44,000-00
        consortium
  3.    Loss of estate                 Rs.     18,000-00
  4.    Funeral expenses               Rs.     18,000-00

                       Total           Rs. 27,84,000-00



        Therefore,      the    petitioners    are      entitled     for

compensation of Rs.27,84,000/-, with interest at the rate of

6% per annum, from the date of petition till its realization.
                               47                 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                    MVC No.4400/2022




30.   Liability: Admittedly, as on the date of accident, the

respondent No.1 is the insurer and respondent No.2 is the

owner of the offending vehicle bearing No.KA-04-C-2800. As

per       Ex.R.21       insurance            policy        bearing

No.140822223340000770, issued by the respondent No.1, in

respect of offending Tata 207 Towing Crane bearing No.KA-

04-C-2800 was valid from 15-01-2022 to 14-01-2023. As

such, the said policy was valid as on the date of accident i.e.

27-07-2022. Further, the evidence placed on record by the

petitioners clearly establishes that, due to rash and

negligent driving of the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing

Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 the accident in question

has taken place and the deceased Suneetha A., in MVC

No.4399/2022     and    Rudresh     @    Rudresha        in    MVC

No.4400/2022     have   succumbed       to    grievous     injuries

sustained in the said accident. In such circumstances, the

respondent No.2 being the owner of said vehicle is

vicariously liable to compensate for the damage caused by
                              48              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




the usage of said vehicle. The respondent No.1 being the

insurer of the vehicle has to indemnify the respondent

No.2.



31.     But, the respondent No.1 has taken specific defence

that, as on the date of accident the driver of offending Tata

207 Towing Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 was not

holding valid driving licence to drive the said vehicle. As

there is breach of fundamental condition of the policy, the

respondent No.1 insurance company is not liable to

indemnify     the   insured/respondent     No.2.     In    such

circumstances, the burden was on the respondent No.2 to

establish that, as on the date of accident the driver of his

vehicle was holding valid & effective driving licence to drive

the offending vehicle, which he has failed to discharge in

the present case, as he did not choose to file his written

statement and contest the case of the petitioner.
                              49              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




32.   The learned counsel for respondent No.1 vehemently

argued that, as per the Ex.P.7 final report/charge-sheet, at

the time accident the driver of offending Tata 207 Towing

Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 was not holding driving

licence to drive the said vehicle and hence in addition to the

offence punishable under Sec. 279 and 304(A) of IPC, he has

been charge-sheeted for offence punishable U/Sec. 3(1) R/w

181 of Motor Vehicles Act and the owner of the offending

vehicle has been charge-sheeted for the offence punishable

under Section 5(1) R/w 180 of Motor Vehicles Act. Further

argued that, as there is breach of fundamental term and

condition of the policy, the respondent No.1 insurance

company is not liable to indemnify the insured/respondent

No.2. Hence, the petition against the respondent No.1

insurance company is liable to be dismissed.


33.   On   the   other   hand,    the   learned   counsel    for

petitioners vehemently argued that, it is settled principle of

law that, even if there is a fundamental breach of any
                             50             MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                              MVC No.4400/2022




condition recognised under Sec.149(2) of Motor vehicles

Act, the insurance company is liable to pay the third party

and recover the same from the insured. In support of his

arguments, the learned counsel for petitioners has relied

on the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of

Akula Narayana V/s The Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., and

another, in Civil Appeal No.013509/2025 (Arising out of

SLP (C) No.8434/2023, dated 10-11-2025.



34.   As rightly argued by the learned counsel for the

respondent No.1, as per the Ex.P.7 final report/charge-

sheet, at the time accident the driver of offending Tata 207

Towing Crane bearing No.KA-04-C-2800 was not holding

driving licence to drive the said vehicle and hence in

addition to the offence punishable under Sec. 279 and

304(A) of IPC, he has been charge-sheeted for offence

punishable U/Sec.3(1) R/w 181 of Motor Vehicles Act and the

owner of the offending vehicle has been charge-sheeted for

the offence punishable under Section 5(1) R/w 180 of Motor
                              51              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




Vehicles Act and admittedly the said final report/charge-

sheet has not been challenged either by the driver or the

owner offending vehicle. Further it is pertinent to note that,

the respondent No.2 in his Ex.P.9 reply to notice issued

under Sec.133 of Motor Vehicles Act has clearly stated that,

as on the date of accident the driver of his vehicle was not

holding driving licence to drive the said vehicle. Even, the

respondent No.2 did not choose to contest the case of the

petitioners.   Therefore,   in    such   circumstances,     the

respondent No.2 cannot be permitted to take the benefit of

his wrong and the respondent No.1/Insurance Company is

entitled to raise a defence under Sec.149(2) of Motor

Vehicles Act. Further, the accident in question has taken

place after the date of coming into force of Motor Vehicles

(Amendment) Act, 2019. But, the Hon'ble Supreme Court, in

its recent judgment in the case of Akula Narayana V/s The

Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd., and another, in Civil Appeal

No.013509/2025 (Arising out of SLP (C) No.8434/2023,
                                 52               MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                    MVC No.4400/2022




dated 10-11-2025, has upheld the principle of pay and

recovery and has clearly held that, "Where the contract of

insurance is not disputed, even on breach of insurance

conditions,    this     Court   had    allowed     recovery       of

compensation from the insurer by giving right to the

insurer to recover the same from the vehicle owner. The

pay   and     recover    principle    has   been    consistently

followed even though it was doubted in a reference

which remained unanswered. Taking a conspectus of

case of various pronouncements, this Court recently in

Rama Bai V/s Amit Minerals, reported in 2025 SCC Online

SC 2067 again applied the said principle and while

allowing the appeal of the claimant directed that, the

insurance company shall satisfy the award and may

recover from the insured. Following the aforesaid

decisions, we deem it appropriate to allow the appeal by

directing that the first respondent (i.e. the insurer) shall

satisfy the award, though, however, it can recover the
                              53              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




amount so paid from the insured (i.e. owner of the

vehicle)".


35.   Therefore, in the light of ratio laid down by the

Hon'ble Supreme Court in the above cited decision and for

the above stated reasons, this Court is of the opinion that,

the respondent No.1 and 2 are jointly and severally liable to

pay the compensation to the petitioners. However, the

primary liability is on the respondent No.1 to pay the

compensation to the petitioners and later recover the same

from the respondent No.2. Accordingly, it is held that, the

respondent No.1 is liable to pay the above compensation of

Rs.35,48,100/- to the petitioners in MVC No.4399/2022 and

Rs.27,84,000/- to the petitioners in MVC No.4400/2022, with

interest at the rate of 6% per annum, from the date of

petitions till its realization, to the petitioners and recover

the same from the respondent No.2. Accordingly, I answer

Issue No.2 in Partly Affirmative.
                                   54               MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                      MVC No.4400/2022




36.   Issue No.3: In view of the above findings, I proceed to

pass the following order:


                            ORDER

The petitions are partly allowed with costs.

                  The       petitioners       in      MVC

        No.4399/2022          are         entitled       to

compensation of Rs.35,48,100/- (Rupees thirty five lakh forty eight thousand and one hundred only), with interest at the rate of 6% p.a., from the date of petition till realisation.

The petitioners in MVC No.4400/2022 are entitled to compensation of Rs.27,84,000/- (Rupees twenty seven lakh eighty four thousand only), with interest at the rate of 6% p.a., from the date of petition till realisation.

The respondent No.1 & 2 in both the two cases are jointly and severally 55 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w MVC No.4400/2022 liable to pay the above compensation amount to the petitioners. However, the primary liability to pay the compensation amount is fastened on respondent No.1 - Insurance Company and it is directed to pay the said amount within two months from the date of this order and recover the same from the respondent No.2, in the very proceedings by filing an execution petition.

The above compensation amount in MVC No.4399/2022 is apportioned as follows:

Petitioner No.1 - Daughter- 25% Petitioner No.2 - Daughter - 25% Petitioner No.3 - Father- 25% Petitioner No.4 - Mother - 25% The entire compensation amount awarded in favour of petitioners No.1 and 2 in MVC No.4399/2022, with proportionate interest shall be deposited in their names as fixed 56 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w MVC No.4400/2022 deposit in any nationalized bank till they attain the age of majority. Out of total compensation amount awarded in favour of petitioners No.3 and 4 in MVC No.4399/2022, 40% of the compensation amount with proportionate interest shall be deposited in their names as fixed deposit in any nationalized bank for the period of three years with liberty to draw the accrued interest periodically and the remaining 60% amount with proportionate interest shall be released in their favour, through e-payment on proper identification and verification. The above compensation amount in MVC No.4400/2022 is apportioned as follows:
Petitioner No.1 - Mother- 30% Petitioner No.2 - Daughter - 35% Petitioner No.3 - Daughter- 35% Out of total compensation amount awarded in favour of petitioner No.1 in 57 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w MVC No.4400/2022 MVC No.4400/2022, 40% of the compensation amount with proportionate interest shall be deposited in her name as fixed deposit in any nationalized bank for the period of three years with liberty to draw the accrued interest periodically and the remaining 60% amount with proportionate interest shall be released in her favour, through e-payment on proper identification and verification.
The entire compensation amount awarded in favour of petitioners No.2 and 3 in MVC No.4400/2022, with proportionate interest shall be deposited in their names as fixed deposit in any nationalized bank till they attain the age of majority.
Advocate's fee is fixed at Rs.2,000/- each in both the cases.
Draw award accordingly in both the cases.
58 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
MVC No.4400/2022 A copy of this judgment shall be kept in file of MVC No.4400/2022. (Dictated to the stenographer, directly on computer, typed by him, corrected and then pronounced in the open court this the 9 th day of January, 2026) (Mohammed Yunus Athani) Member, MACT, Bengaluru.

ANNEXURE Witnesses examined on behalf of petitioners:

P.W.1: Anjanappa S/o Late Hanumanthappa P.W.2: Hanumakka W/o Late Balappa Documents marked on behalf of petitioners:
Ex.P.1:          True copy of F.I.R.
Ex.P.2:          True copy of First Information Statement.
Ex.P.3:          True copy of Spot Mahazar and Sketch
Ex.P.4:          True copy of M.V.A. Report
Ex.P.5:          True copy of Inquest
Ex.P.6:          True copy of Post-mortem Report
Ex.P.7:          True copy of Charge-sheet
Ex.P.8:          True copy of Notice under Section 133 of
                 Motor Vehicles Act
Ex.P.9:          True copy of Reply to Notice under Section
                              59              MVC No.4399/2022 C/w
                                                MVC No.4400/2022




              133 of Motor Vehicles Act
Ex.P.10:      True copy of Fast Tag Statement
Ex.P.11:      Notarized copy of Aadhar Card of
              Deceased
Ex.P.12 to    Notarized copy of Aadhar Cards of
15:           Petitioners No.1 to 4
Ex.P.16:      True copy of Inquest
Ex.P.17:      True copy of Post-mortem Report
Ex.P.18:      Notarized copy of Aadhar Card of
              Deceased
Ex.P.19:      Notarized copy of Driving Licence of
              Deceased
Ex.P.20 to    Notarized copy of Aadhar Cards of
22:           Petitioners No.1 to 4

Witnesses examined on behalf of respondents:
R.W.1: Rajkumar S/o Shivappa R.W.2: Shyam M. S/o Mahadev R.W.3: Sridhar K. K. S/o Kariyappa R.W.4: Saurabh Chaudhary S/o Dharmender R.W.5: Thrishi Subbaiah D/o Subbaiah Documents marked on behalf of the respondents:
Ex.R.1:      Report
Ex.R.2:      Authorization Letter
Ex.R.3:      True copy of Contract of Agreement
Ex.R.4:      True copy of Maintenance and Repair Bill
Ex.R.5:      Letter dated 06-03-2020 issued by Police
Inspector, Peenya Traffic Police Station 60 MVC No.4399/2022 C/w MVC No.4400/2022 Ex.R.6: Reply Letter dated 23-03-2020 Ex.R.7: Letter dated 16-07-2021 issued by Police Inspector, Peenya Traffic Police Station Ex.R.8: Reply Letter dated 09-08-2021 Ex.R.9: Letter dated 14-09-2021 issued by Police Commissioner, Bengaluru Ex.R.10: Reply Letter dated 25-09-2021 Ex.R.11: Letter dated 24-09-2021 issued by Police Commissioner, Bengaluru Ex.R.12: Reply Letter dated 14-10-2021 Ex.R.13: Reminder Letter dated 18-12-2021 issued by National Highway Authority Ex.R.14: Letter dated 17-02-2022 issued by Police Commissioner, Bengaluru Ex.R.15: Reply Letter dated 29-03-2022 Ex.R.16: Letter dated 09-08-2022 issued by Police Inspector, Peenya Traffic Police Station Ex.R.17: Reply Letter dated 16-08-2022 Ex.R.18: Letter dated 27-09-2022 issued by Police Inspector, Peenya Traffic Police Station Ex.R.19: Reply Letter dated 29-09-2022 Ex.R.20: Authorization Letter Ex.R.21: True copy of Insurance Policy Ex.R.22: True copy of Notice issued to owner of vehicle (Mohammed Yunus Athani) Member, MACT, Bengaluru.