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[Cites 8, Cited by 0]

Delhi District Court

Sh. Varun Mehlawat vs Sh. Piyoosh Gupta S/O Sh. Suresh Gupta on 16 February, 2017

                                      1

  IN THE COURT OF MS. BARKHA GUPTA : JUDGE : PO
  MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL : NORTH­WEST
          DISTRICT, ROHINI COURTS: DELHI

New No. 49378­16
MACT No.  : 456/11
UNIQUE ID No.  : 02404C0357062011

   1. Sh. Varun Mehlawat
      (son of the deceased namely Sh.Satish Kumar)
                                                          ...(Petitioner no.1 )
   2. Sh. Dhananjay Mehlawat
      (son of the deceased)
                                                        .....(Petitioner no. 2)
   3. Smt. Shanti Mehlawat
      (mother of the deceased)
                                                       ....(Petitioner no. 3)
   4. Sh. Kundan Singh
      (father of the deceased)
                                                         ...(Petitioner no. 4)


       All R/o H.No. BM 38, Shalimar Bagh (East), Delhi


                                     Versus

   1. Sh. Piyoosh Gupta S/o Sh. Suresh Gupta
      R/o A­96, Rampuri, Link Road, Ghaziabad
                           .....(Owner of offending vehicle/R1)     




MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta                      1 of 26         
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   2. Sh. Peer Ali
      R/o Peer Ali Kheria, 
      Jasrana, Ferozabad, UP
                     ..... (Driver of offending vehicle/R2)
   3. The National  Insurance Company Ltd.,
      Scope Minar, 11th Floor, Core­II, Laxmi Nagar, 
      Delhi
                     ...(Insurer of offending vehicle/R3)


            Other details:­

                DATE OF INSTITUTION        : 16.12.2011
                DATE OF RESERVING ORDER : 02.02.2017
                DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT   : 16.02.2017

                         AWARD/JUDGMENT
   1. The petition under sections 166/140 of the Motor Vehicles
       Act,   1988   has   been   filed   by   the   petitioners   namely
       Sh.   Varun   Mehlawat   (petitioner   No.1),   Sh.   Dhananjay
       Mehlawat   (petitioner   no.   2),   Smt.   Shanti   Mehlawat
       (petitioner no. 3) and Sh. Kundan Singh (petitioner no. 4)
       who are stated to be the sons, parents and the only legal
       heirs   of   the   deceased   namely   Late   Sh.   Satish   Kumar
       (hereinafter referred to as  the "deceased")  whereby they
       have claimed compensation to the tune of Rs. 50 lakhs
       alongwith   interest   at   the   rate   of   12%   per   annum   from

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta                    2 of 26         
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       Sh.   Piyoosh   Gupta/R1,   Sh.   Peer   Ali/R2   and   from   The
       National   Insurance   Company   Ltd./R3   from   the   date   of
       filing   of   the   claim   petition   till   realisation   of   the
       compensation amount.       
   2. Brief facts of the case as revealed from the petition are
       that   on   22.06.2011,   Sh.   Satish   Kumar   (hereinafter
       referred to as the "deceased") along with his wife namely
       Smt. Rajni was travelling in the Car bearing registration
       no. DL­10C­1234 which at the relevant time was driven by
       Sh. S.C. Malik. Further, wife of Sh. S.C. Malik was also
       sitting   in   the   said   car   on   the   rear   seat   and   they   were
       coming   from   Haridwar   to   Delhi.   Further,   when   at   about
       3:30 pm, they reached at Village Dadri, suddenly a Truck
       bearing   registration   No.   HR­55L­3280   (hereinafter
       referred to as the "offending vehicle")   which was going
       head of their car which at the relevant time was driven by
       Sh.   Peer   Ali   Gupta/R2   who   without   giving   any   signal
       rashly   and   negligently   suddenly   applied   brakes   and
       though,   Sh.   S.C.   Malik,   who   was   driving   the   said   car
       properly   and   at   normal   speed   also   applied   the   brakes,
       however,   the   car   rammed   into   the   rear   portion   of   the
       offending vehicle due to which all the occupants of the car

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta                         3 of 26         
                                       4

       sustained   injuries.   It   is   also   submitted   that   the   said
       accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the
       offending vehicle by R2 at the relevant time and also that
       the brake lights of the offending vehicle were not working
       and   R2   had   suddenly   applied   the   brakes   without   givng
       any signal due to which the said accident took place. 
            It is further submitted that the deceased and his wife
       sustained   fatal   injuries   due   to   which   they   expired   and
       Sh. S.C. Malik and his wife sustained grievous injuries in
       the   said   accident   and   they   all   were   admitted   in   Govt
       Hospital at Meerut, U.P where the doctors declared the
       deceased as 'brought dead'.
                It is further contended that at the relevant time, the
       deceased was a practising advocate from which he was
       earning Rs. 25,000/­ per month and due to untimely death
       of the deceased, the petitioners have suffered from huge
       mental pain and trauma besides financial loss.   It is also
       submitted   that   with   respect   to   the   said   accident,   FIR
       No.298/11 U/s 279/338/304­A IPC  was registered at P.S.
       Daurala,   U.P   against   Sh.   Peer   Ali/R2   wherein   R2   was
       prosecuted and the offending vehicle was also seized.    
                The  petitioners/LR's of deceased have prayed that

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta                    4 of 26         
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       compensation in sum of Rs. 50 lakh alongwith interest at
       the rate of 12% per annum be awarded in their favour and
       all   the   respondents   are   liable   to   pay   them   the   said

compensation amount jointly as well as severelly from the date   of   filing   of   the   claim   petition   till   its   realisation   as Sh. Piyoosh Gupta/R1 was the owner of offending vehicle, Sh. Peer Ali/R2 was the driver of offending vehicle and the   offending   vehicle   was   duly   insured   with   National Insurance co/R3 at the relevant time.

3. As per record, R1 & R2, who were the owner and driver of the offending vehicle respectively have filed their written statement     wherein   they   have   submitted   that   the   said accident had occurred due to sole negligence of Sh. S.C. Malik as he was driving the car carelessly and he himself hit the car against the offending vehicle which was parked at the road due to some mechanical checkup. They have further submitted that the offending vehicle was insured with National Insurance co/R3 at the relevant time and so, they  are  not  liable to pay any compensation amount to anyone. 

4. The National Insurance Company Ltd./R3 has also filed the   written   statement   wherein   it   has   taken   various MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        5 of 26          6 defences as available U/s 149(2) of Motor Vehicles Act.  It has admitted that the offending vehicle was duly insured with   it   vide   insurance   policy   No. 361701/31/10/6300002771   in   the   name   of   Sh.   Piyoosh Gupta/R1 at the relevant time.  It has denied its liability to pay   any   compensation   amount   to   the   petitioners   as prayed as there was no rashness/negligence on the part of R2 in driving the offending vehicle.

5. As   per   record,   after   completion   of   pleadings,   following issues were framed by my Ld.  Predecessor vide order dt. 10.01.2014:­

1. Whether Satish died on 22.06.11 at about 3:30 pm near Village   Dadri   PS   Daurala,   Meerut   due   to   rash   and negligent driving of truck bearing registration no. HR­55L­ 3280 by Peer Ali? OPP.

2.   Whether   petitioners   are   entitled   to   compensation   as prayed for if so from which of the respondent? OPP

3. Relief.

6. The   petitioners   in   support   of   their   case   have   examined Sh. Varun Mehlawat (Petitioner No.1) as PW1.    As per record, none of the respondents have adduced any evidence.

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        6 of 26          7

7.   I have heard final arguments as advanced by Advocate Sh.   Ashok   Popli,   Ld.  Counsel  for   the   petitioners/LRs  of deceased   &   Advocate   Sh.   V.K.   Gupta,   Ld.   Counsel   for National Insurance company/R3. As per record, none has appeared   for   remaining   respondents   to   advance   final arguments.   I   have   also   gone   through   the   material   as placed on record.  Now, I proceed to discuss the issues in the succeeding paragraphs.

8. Issue no. 1   " Whether Satish died on 22.06.11 at about 3:30 pm near Village Dadri PS Daurala, Meerut due to rash and negligent driving of truck bearing registration no. HR­ 55L­3280 by Peer Ali ? OPP"

9. In the case in hand, Sh. Varun Mehlawat (petitioner no.1) has examined himself as PW1 and adduced his evidence by  way of   his affidavit Ex. PW1/A wherein he has also proved certain documents as Ex. PW1/1 to Ex. PW1/20.         He has interalia testified that on 22.06.2011 at about 3:30  pm,  both  his parents including the deceased were travelling in the car bearing registration no. DL­10C­1234 which at the relevant time was driven by Sh. S.C. Malik MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        7 of 26          8 properly and wife of Sh. S.C. Malik was also sitting on the rear   seat   of   the   said   car.   He   has   further   deposed   that when they reached at Village Dadri, suddenly R2 who was driving   the   offending   vehicle   which   at   the   relevant   time which was going ahead of their car suddenly applied the brakes   without   giving   any   signal   at   all   and   though, Sh. S.C. Malik tried his best to avoid the accident, yet the accident   occurred   and   their   car   rammed   into   the   rear portion   of   the   offending   vehicle     due   to   which   all   the persons  travelling  in the  said car  sustained  injuries.  He has  further   deposed  that  both  his  parents  including  the deceased had died in the accident and Sh. S.C. Malik and his wife also sustained grievous injuries.      He further testified that Sh. S.C. Malik and his wife had also   filed   separate   claim   petitions   in   MACT   Tribunal   at Delhi   which   were   disposed   off   by   Ld.   concerned   PO MACT and has also proved the certified copies of the said claim petitions as Ex. PW1/1 to Ex. PW1/2. He has further deposed that in those petitions, National Insurance co/R3 had   finally   settled   the   matter   for   an   amount   of Rs.   4,50,000/­   with   Sh.   S.C.   Malik   and   for   an   amount Rs. 7,50,000/­ with his wife namely Smt. Manju Malik in MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        8 of 26          9 which regard the said claim petitions were finally disposed off as vide award dated 23.11.13. He has also proved the certified copies of the said final awards as Ex. PW1/3 and Ex.   PW1/4   and has also  proved  on record the  certified copies of statements of the petitioners/claimants Sh. S.C. Malik   and   his   wife   Smt.   Manju   Malik   in   the   said   cases which are Ex. PW1/5 and Ex. PW1/6 who have testified as witnesses. 

    It is pertinent to discuss here that rest of the testimony of   PW1   is   with   respect   to   income   etc   of   the   deceased which is not relevant to discuss the issue in hand.     As  per record,   R1 and R2 who were the owner and driver of the offending vehicle have not come forward to cross examine the said witness on any aspect at all and accordingly, they have not challenged the version of PW1 on any ground at all and have nowhere disputed the claim petitions   as   filed   by   Sh.   S.C.   Malik   and   his   wife Smt. Manju Malik pertaining to the same accident in which they also sustained injuries and the deceased had expired and further, R1 and R2 have not disputed the said claim petitions/cases of Sh. S.C. Malik and his wife which were finally   settled   by   National   Insurance   co/R3   before   Ld. MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        9 of 26          10 concerned   PO   MACT  in   which  regard,  the  final  awards were   passed   on   23.11.2013   which   he   has   proved   on record as Ex. PW1/3 and Ex. PW1/4 which are not under challenge. Further, PW1 has also proved the testimonies of Sh. S.C. Malik and his wife Smt. Manju Malik in their respective claims/petitions. From the same, it is revealed that   the   said   claims   cases   were   also   pertaining   to   the same   accident   wherein   the   deceased   had   sustained injuries due to which he had expired and though, he was promptly taken to the Govt. Hospital, yet the doctors on duty declared him as 'brought dead'. Further, R1 and R2 have nowhere disputed any of the above and accordingly, it is clear that at the relevant date, time and place, R2 was driving the offending vehicle ahead of the car as driven by Sh.   S.C.   Malik   and   R2   had   suddenly   applied   brakes without taking due precautions due to which the car which was driven by Sh. S.C. Malik wherein the deceased was also travelling rammed into the offending vehicle and the deceased had sustained injuries due to which he expired. It   also   needs   to   be   discussed   here   that   the   categoric allegations on R2 that while driving the offending vehicle in   a   rash   and   negligent   manner,   he   suddenly   applied MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        10 of 26         11 brakes  without  taking due precautions and the accident occurred are nowhere under challenge. As such, R1 & R2 have not come forward to dispute the same and impliedly and   admittedly   they   have   admitted   the   entire   said allegations as correct.  

     As per record, PW1 was cross examined on behalf of National Insurance co/R3   during which he has interalia stated that he is not an eye witness of the said accident and has denied if the said accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of driver of car No. DL­10C­1234. It needs to be discussed that rest of his cross examination refers   to   the   dependency   of   the   petitioners   on   the deceased,   income   of   the   deceased   etc   which   is   not relevant to discuss the issue in hand. 

    Further, the certified copies of the criminal case record are   filed   including   the   copies   of   FIR   no.   298/11   U/s 279/338/304­A Police Station Daurala and charge sheet u/s   173   Cr.   PC   which   clearly   show   that   R2   was prosecuted   in   the said case  regarding  causing  the said accident   wherein   the   deceased   Sh.   Satish   Kumar   had sustained   injuries   due   to   which   he   expired   and   the offending vehicle was also seized.  Further, admittedly R2 MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        11 of 26         12 has   not   lodged   any   complaint   to   any   higher   authority regarding   his   false  implication   in   the  said  criminal  case and   has   not   alleged   that   he   had   any   enmity   with   the deceased   or   with   his   family   members   or   with   the investigating   officer   and   so,   the   possibility   of   his   false implication in criminal case is also ruled out. 

10.       As per record, the attested copy of the postmortem examination report of the deceased is also filed on record, which  is nowhere challenged or disputed by any of the respondents.   It  is  not  out   of   place  to  discuss   here   that though   the   concerned   doctor,   who   had   conducted   the postmortem   examination   of   the   deceased   is   not examined, however, it is observed in a catena of cases by superior   courts   and   is   also   well   settled   law   that   if   it   is otherwise proved as record that the accident had resulted in death of the deceased, then even non examination of the   doctor   who   had   conducted   the   postmortem examination   does   not   adversely   affect   the   case   of   the petitioners. 

11.       It   also   needs   to   be   noted   that   in   the   case   of Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Sushila Rathi & MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        12 of 26         13 Ors.   MAC.   APP.   927/2012,   as  decided   on   04.12.2012, the   Hon'ble   High   Court   has   observed   that   "although postmortem   examination   was   not   conducted   as   the deceased died couple of months after the accident, yet from the medical record coupled with PW1's unchallenged testimony,   it   is   established   that   the   deceased   died   on account of injuries suffered in the accident".           In the said case, Hon'ble High Court had considered the   testimony   of   widow  of   deceased   that   the   deceased succumbed   due   to   the   injuries   suffered   in   the   accident which was not challenged in the cross­examination.               Further,   in   the   case   of  New   India   Assurance Company   Ltd.,   Chennai  v.  R.   Santhi   and   Others, 2013(1)  T.A.C. 122 (Mad.), decided on 04.09.2012, the Hon'ble   High   Court   has   clearly   laid   down   that   merely because   of   non   conducting   of   postmortem,   the   court cannot conclude that death was not due to road accident injury   and   it   can   be   decided   based   on   other   relevant material brought before the court.   

     Further, in the case of  Union of India & Another  v. Bhola   Rai,   2012(3)   T.A.C.   546   (Gau.),   decided   on MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        13 of 26         14 02.03.2011, the Hon'ble High Court of Gauhati opined that there is nexus between the accident and the death of the deceased   as  the   deceased  was  knocked  down by the driver of the mini bus and he suffered serious injuries on his thigh bone as well as on hip bone and remained under treatment of several hospitals and died after about three years.  It also held that the cause of death as linked to the injury sustained cannot be ruled out as the deceased was under   prolonged   medical   treatment   and   had   never resumed duty due to his said inability and laid down that there was causal connection, even though not immediate, between   the     accident   and   eventual   death   of   the deceased. 

12.       It also needs to be discussed even at the cost of repetition   that   in   the   case   in   hand,   the   postmortem examination of the deceased was conducted which is not disputed and the attested copy of the postmortem report of   the   deceased   is   also   placed   on   record   which   is   not under   challenge.   It   is   also   shown   on   record   from   the testimony of PW1 that the deceased had expired due to various injuries as sustained by him in the said accident as caused by R2 while driving the offending vehicle in a MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        14 of 26         15 rash and negligent manner as already discussed at length earlier   and   accordingly,   in   the   given   facts   and circumstances of case, in considered opinion of the court, non­   examination   of   the   doctor   who   had   conducted postmortem examination of the deceased is not fatal to the case of petitioners/LRs of deceased.

13.       Accordingly, in the given facts & circumstances of the case, on the basis of material as produced and proved before the Tribunal and in view of aforesaid discussion, in considered opinion of the court, the testimony of PW1 and other documents as placed on record have inspired the confidence of the   Tribunal in as far as PW1 has come forward   with   true   picture   of   said   accident   and   his testimony does not seems to suffer from any artificiality, exaggeration or inherent infirmity from which and from the documentary evidence, it is clearly shown on record that at the relevant date, time and place, R2 was driving the offending vehicle in a rash and negligent and he suddenly applied   the   brakes   without   taking   due   precautions   and while driving so, R2 caused the said accident wherein the deceased also sustained injuries due to which he expired and   hence,   Issue   No.1   is   decided   in   favour   of   the MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        15 of 26         16 petitioners/LR's   of   the   deceased   and   against   the respondents. 

14. Issue No.2 Qua Quantum of Compensation "Whether petitioners are entitled to compensation, if so, to what amount and from whom?"

15.   As per record,  Sh. Varun Mehlawat( petitioner no. 1) has examined himself as PW1 and has testified by way of his  affidavit   Ex. PW1/A wherein he has also proved on record various documents as Ex. PW1/1 to Ex. PW1/20 respectively.   It   needs   to   be   discussed   that   from   the testimony of PW1, it is revealed that there is no document as Ex. PW1/8. 

     He has inter­alia deposed that at the relevant time, the deceased was a practising Advocate and he was earning Rs. 25,000/­ per month and he was also an income tax payee.   He   has   filed   the   original     acknowledgement regarding   income   tax   returns   of   deceased   for   the assessment year 2009­2010 (financial year 2008­09) and proved it as Ex. PW1/7. 

  During his cross examination as conducted on behalf of National Insurance co./R3, as such, nothing is shown on record if the said ITR is forged or fabricated or if it is not MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        16 of 26         17 trustworthy. 

   Hence, in the given facts and circumstances, Ex. PW1/7 i.e.   the   income   tax   return   of   the   deceased   for   the assessment year 2009­10 is taken into consideration as per   which   the   gross   income   of   the   deceased   is   shown 2,05,701/­ p.a and hence, it is clear hat the deceased was earning   Rs.   17,141/­   p.m.   Accordingly,   in   view   of   the above, in considered opinion of the Tribunal, the  monthly income of the deceased was Rs. 17,141/­ . 

16.   Further, as per record, photocopy of the PAN card of the deceased is filed wherein his  date of birth is shown as 01.08.1958 and the date of said accident is 22.06.2011 which are not in dispute and so, he was about 53 years old as on the date of the said accident. 

      It   would   be   pertinent   to   discuss   that   in   the   case   of Rajesh   &   Others   v.   Rajbir   Singh   &   Others   2013(6) SCALE 563, the deceased was around 33 years of age at the time of accident and was survived by his widow and minor   children.     He   was   working   as   a   clerk   in   a Government School.   The claims Tribunal   had awarded total compensation of Rs. 8,96,500/­.  On appeal, Hon'ble High Court had enhanced the total compensation to Rs.

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        17 of 26         18 10,17,000/­.     On   further   appeal   to   Hon'ble   Apex   Court, total   compensation   was   further   enhanced   to Rs. 22,81,320/­.   The Hon'ble Apex Court has observed that compensation under section 168 has to be "just, fair and equitable" to make good the loss suffered as a result of the wrong as far as money can do.

17.         The Hon'ble Apex Court referred to the case of Santosh Devi v. National Insurance Company Ltd. & Others 2012(4) SCALE 559 in which it was observed that even in absence of any evidence as to future prospects, an   increase   of   30%   in   the   income   has   to   be   provided where the victim had fixed income or was a self employed person.  Relevant extract of the order is as follows:­    "18.     Therefore,   we   do   not   think   that while making the observations in the last three   lines   of   paragraph   24   of   Sarla Verm's judgment, the Court had intended to lay down an absolute rule that there will   be   no   addition   in   the   income   of   a person   who   is   self­employed   or   who   is paid   fixed   wages.   Rather,   it   would   be reasonable to say that a person who is self­employed   or   is   engaged   on   fixed wages will also get 30 per cent increase in his total income over a period of time MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        18 of 26         19 and if he/she becomes victim of accident then   the   same   formula   deserves   to   be applied   for   calculating   the   amount   of compensation."

  However, to make compensation just fair and equitable, Hon'ble Apex Court has also observed that:­

11.   Since,   the   Court   in   Santosh   Devi's case (supra) actually intended to follow the   principle   in   the   case   of   salaried persons   as   laid   in   Sarla   Verma's   case (supra) and to make it applicable also to the self­employed and persons on fixed wages, it is clarified that the increase in the   case   of   those     groups   is   not   30% always;  it  will   also  have   a  reference   to the age.   In other words, in the case of self­employed   or   persons   with   fixed wages, in case, the deceased victim was below   40   years,   there   must   be   an addition of 50%  to the actual income of the   deceased   while   computing   future prospects.     Needless   to   say   that   the actual   income   should   be   income   after paying the tax, if any.  Addition should be 30%   in   case   the   deceased   was   in   the age   group   of   40   to   50   years.   In   Sarla Verma's case (supra), it has been stated that in the case of those above 50 years, there   shall   be   no   addition.     Having regard   to   the   fact   that   in   the   case   of MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        19 of 26         20 those self­employed or on fixed wages, where   there   is   normally   no   age   of superannuation, we are of the view that it will only be just and equitable to provide an addition of 15% in the case where the victim is between the age group of 50 to 60   years   so   as   to   make   the compensation   just,   equitable,   fair   and reasonable.   There shall normally be no addition thereafter".

18. Accordingly, in the case in hand, in the given facts and circumstances, in view of observations of superior courts and   on   the   basis   of   material   as   placed   on   record,   in considered opinion of the court, the petitioners are entitled to addition of 15% in income of the deceased.  

19.  Further, as per record, photocopy of the PAN card of the deceased is filed wherein his  date of birth is shown as 01.08.1958 and the date of said accident is 22.06.2011 which are not in dispute and so, he was about 53 years old as on the date of the said accident and therefore, the multiplier of '11' is applicable in the case in hand  as per observations made in the case of Sarla Verma & Ors. v. DTC & Anr. Civill Appeal No. 3483 of 2008 MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        20 of 26         21

20. Deduction of amount towards personal and living expenses:­           The   petitioners   are   the   sons   and   parents   of   the deceased and hence, as such 1/4th of his income is to be deducted   towards   his   personal   and   living   expenses  as per observations made in the case of Sarla Verma & Ors.   v.   DTC   &   Anr.   Civill   Appeal   No.   3483   of   2008 (arising out of SLP (C) No.8648 of 2007) dated April 15, 2009.

21.   Calculation Salary of the  deceased:­ =Rs.17,141/­p.m. 15% addition towards future  prospect towards inflation = Rs.17,141 +Rs. 2571/­= 19,712/­ Deduction of 1/4th amount as per observations  made in the case of Sarla Verma :­ Rs. 19,712­4,928/­= 14,784/­ p.m   Thus,   the   loss   of   dependency   comes   to Rs.19,51,488/­(Rs. 14,784x11x12)

22.   Now,   regarding   the   amount   of compensation payable towards funeral expenses, it needs to   be   discussed   that   it   was   observed   in   the   case   of MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        21 of 26         22 Rajesh Vs. Rajbir Singh & Ors 2013 (6) SCALE that:­ "We may also take judicial notice of the fact that   the   Tribunals   have   been   quite   frugal with regard to award of compensation under the   head   'Funeral   Expenses".     The   'Price Index', it is a fact has gone up in that regard also.     The   head   'Funeral   Expenses'   does not mean the fee paid in the crematorium or fee   paid   for   the   use   of   space   in   the cemetery.  There are many other expenses in   connection   with   funeral   and,   if   the deceased   is   follower   of   any   particular religion, there are several religious practices and   conventions   pursuant   to   death   in   a family.     All   those   are   quite   expensive. Therefore, we are of the view that it will be just, fair and equitable, under the   head of 'Funeral   Expenses',   in   the   absence   of evidence   to   the   contrary   for   higher expenses, to award at least an amount of Rs. 25,000/­."

Hence, in view of the above, in the case in hand, an amount   of   Rs.   25,000/­  is   also  granted  towards   funeral expenses   of   the   deceased.   Further,   an   amount   of Rs.   1,00,000/­   is   also   awarded   towards   loss   of   Estate. Further, the petitioners are also entitled for an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/­ towards loss of love and affection as per observations made in the case of Rajesh (Supra). 

MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        22 of 26         23      

23. In view of above, the over all compensation amount thus   comes   to   Rs.   21,76,488/­     which   is   tabulated   as under:­ Sl. Compensation   under   various Amount awarded  No heads

1. Loss of dependency Rs. 19,51,488/­ 2 Loss of love & affection  Rs. 1,00,000/­

4. Funeral expenses Rs.    25,000/­

5. Loss of estate Rs.  1,00,000/­ Total Rs. 19,21,992/­

24.       In   the   case   in   hand,   the   National   Insurance company/R3   has   not   been   able   to   show   anything   on record   that   Sh.   Peer   Ali/R2,   who   was   the   driver   of   the offending vehicle at the relevant time was not having any valid driving licence to drive the offending vehicle or that the permit or insurance policy of the offending vehicle was not valid at the relevant time and hence, as per settled law, since the offending vehicle was duly insured with the National   Insurance   company/R3   at   the   relevant   time, hence, National Insurance co/R3 is liable to pay the entire compensation   amount   to   the   petitioners/LRs   of   the MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        23 of 26         24 deceased as per rules.  Accordingly, in the case in hand, The National Insurance co. Ltd./R3 is directed to deposit with this Tribunal within 30 days from today the awarded amount of Rs.21,76,488/­ alongwith interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition till notice of deposition of awarded amount to be given by National   Insurance   co/R3   to   the   petitioners   and   their counsel.

25.     I have heard LR's of the deceased/petitioners and their advocate regarding financial needs of petitioners.  In view   of   the   submissions   made   and   further   in,   view   of observations   made   in   the   case   of   General   Manager, Kerala State Road Transport Corporation Vs. Susamma Thomas   &   Others,   1994   (2)   SC,   1631,  following arrangements is hereby ordered:­          An amount of Rs. 4,80,000/­ each be given to the petitioner no. 1 i.e  Sh. Varun Mehlawat and to petitioner no. 2 i.e. Sh. Dhananjay Mehlawat, who are the sons of the deceased, out of which an amount of Rs. 1,00,000/­ each   be   released   to   them   in   cash   as   per   rules   and remaining   amount   be   kept   in   equal   proportion   in   two FDR's in their respectives names for a period of 2 years MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        24 of 26         25 and 3 years in A/c no. 4184000100161019 with Punbaj National Bank, Shalimar Bagh, Branch, Delhi in the name of Sh. Varun Mehlawat and in A/c no. 053100301110039 with   Corporation   Bank,  Shalimar   Bagh   Branch,   Delhi   in the name of Sh. Dhananjay Mehlawat as per rules.         Further,   remaining   awarded   amount   be   granted   in favour of petitioner no. 3 & 4 i.e. Smt. Shanti Devi and Sh.   Kundan   Singh  who  are the  parents of deceased  in equal   proportions,   out   of   which,   an   amount   of Rs. 3,00,000/­ each be released to them in cash as per rules   and   remaining   amount   in   equal   proportion   with interest be kept in FDRs in their respective names for a period   of   2   years   respectively   in   A/c   no. 5482500100612701   and   in   A/c   No.   5482500100612801 with Karnataka Bank Ltd. Shalimar Bagh Branch, Delhi in the names of Sh. Kundan petitioner no.4 and Smt. Shanti Devi petitioner no. 3 respectively. 

26.           It   is   further   directed   that   the   interest   on   the aforesaid   fixed   deposits   shall   be   paid   quarterly   by automatic credit of interest in the Saving Accounts of the petitioners as per rules.

27.     Further, the petitioners shall not have any facility of MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        25 of 26         26 loan or advance on the said FDRs, however, in case of emergent needs, they may approach this Tribunal for pre­ mature encashment of FDRs as per rules.

28.     The Petition is accordingly finally disposed of. File be   consigned   to   record   room   as   per   rules   after compliance   of   necessary   legal   formalities.   Copy   of   this order be given to parties as per rules. 

                      (Barkha Gupta) Announced in the open Court     Judge MACT/NW District today i.e.16.02. 2017                        Rohini Courts, Delhi MACT No.456/11 Varun Mehlawat Vs. Piyoosh Gupta        26 of 26