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[Cites 12, Cited by 0]

Delhi District Court

Smt. Kamlesh W/O Sh. Parduman vs U.P. State Road Transport Corpn on 26 August, 2017

                                   1

IN THE COURT OF AMIT BANSAL : PO: MOTOR ACCIDENT
               CLAIMS TRIBUNAL :  
    (NORTH WEST DISTRICT) ROHINI COURTS: DELHI

New No. 50172­16
MACT No.  : 879/07
UNIQUE ID No.  : 02404C0053352009

    Smt. Kamlesh W/o Sh. Parduman 
    R/o RZB­9, Sector­C, Bhagwati Vihar, 
    Uttam Nagar, Delhi.                              .....(Petitioner)

             Versus

   1. U.P. State Road Transport Corpn,
      Govt. of U.P Through its Secretary,
      Transport Department.            

      2. The State of Uttar Pradesh
         through its Secretary, Lucknow, UP

      3. U.P. Roadways , Baraut Depot, 
          District Baghpat, UP
          Through its Depot Manager

      4. Sh. Dheer Singh, S/o Sh. Badam Singh
         R/o VPO Chigrawali, Distt. Buland Sahar, UP
                                               ... Driver
      5. Oriental Insurance co. Ltd.
         DRO­1, 88, Janpath New Delhi
                                               .... Respondents.

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           1 of 29         2 Other Details:

         DATE OF INSTITUTION                           : 16.01.2007 
         DATE OF RESERVING ORDER                       : 26.08.2017
         DATE OF PRONOUNCEMENT                         : 26.08.2017


                       AWARD/JUDGMENT


1. COMPLIANCE   OF   THE   PROVISIONS   OF   THE MODIFIED CLAIMS TRIBUNAL AGREED PROCEDURE TO BE MENTIONED IN THE AWARD AS PER FORMAT REFERRED IN CLAUSE 29 OF THE ORDER PASSED BY   THE   HON'BLE   HIGH   COURT   IN   FAO   842/2003 RAJEST   TYAGI   Vs.   JAIBIR   SINGH   &   ORS.   VIDE ORDER DATED 12.12.2014

1. Date of Accident Intervening   night   of 08/09.04.2006 2 Date   of   intimation   of   the ­­­ accident   by   the   investigation No provision of DAR officer   to   the   Claims   Tribunal was   there   at   that (Clause 2)  time.  Moreover, it is an   out   station accident.

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           2 of 29         3

3. Date   of   Intimation   of   the ­­­ accident   by   the   investigation officer   to   the   insurance company. (Clause 2)

4. Date   of   filing   of   Report   under ­­­ Section   173   Cr.PC   before   the Metropolitan Magistrate

5. Date   of   filing   of   Detailed ­­­­ Accident   Information   Report (DAR)   by   the   Investigating Officer before Claims Tribunal.

(Clause 10)

6. Date   of   service   of   DAR   on ­­­ Insurance Company

7. Date of service of DAR on the ­­ claimant (s). (Clause 11) 8 Whether DAR was complete in ­­ all respects? (Clause

9. If not, state deficiencies in the ­­­ DAR

10. Whether the police has verified ­­­­ the documents filed with DAR?

(Clause 4)

11. Whether   there   was   any   delay ­­­ or deficiency on the part of the Investigating   Officer?   If   so, whether   any   action/direction warranted? 

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           3 of 29         4

12. Date   of   appointment   of   the ­­ Designated   Officer   by   the Insurance   Company   (Clause

19)

13. Name,   address   and   contact ­­­ number   of   the   Designated Officer   of   the   Insurance Company (Clause 19)

14. Whether the Designated Officer ­­ of   the   Insurance   Company submitted   his   report   within   30 days of the DAR? (Clause 21)

15. Whether   the   Insurance ­­­ Company admitted the liability?

If   so,   whether   the   Designated Officer   of   the   Insurance Company   fairly   computed   the compensation   in   accordance with law (Clause 22)

16. Whether   there   was   any   delay ­­­ or   deficiency   on   the   part   of Designated   Officer   of   the Insurance   company?   If   so, whether   any   action/direction warranted?  

17. Date   of   response   of   the ­­ claimant (s) to the offer of the Insurance   Company.   (Clause

23)

18. Date of the Award 26.08.2017 MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           4 of 29         5

19. Whether the award was passed Award   on   merits   of with the consent of the parties? the case (Clause 22)

20. Whether   the   claimant   (s) Yes. 

examined   at   the   time   of   the award   to   ascertain   his/their financial condition? (Clause 26)

21. Whether   the   photographs Yes. 

specimen   signatures,   proof   of residence   and   particulars   of bank   account   of   the injured/legal   heirs   of   the deceased  taken at the time of passing of the award? (Clause

26)

22. Mode   of   disbursement   of   the As per award. award   amount   to   the   claimant

(s). (Clause 28)

23. Next Date for compliance of the As per award. award (Clause 30) Judgment

2. The   petition   under   sections   166   &   140   of   the   Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 has been filed by the petitioner/injured namely,   Smt.   Kamlesh,   wherein   she   has   prayed   that compensation   to   the   tune   of   Rs.   8,00,000/­   alongwith interest at the rate of 18% per annum be awarded in her MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           5 of 29         6 favour from the date of filing of the petition till realisation of the said amount. 

3. Brief facts of the case as mentioned in the petition are that  in   the   intervening   night   of   08/09.04.2006   at   about 3:30   am,   the   petitioner   alongwith   her   husband   were traveling in a U.P. Roadways bus bearing registration no. UP­15R­9924   i.e   the   offending   vehicle   which   at   the relevant   time   was   being   driven   by   R4   rashly   and negligently.  It  is further  stated that petitioner as well as other passengers had several times asked the driver to drive the vehicle slowly but the respondent no. 4 did not pay any heed. It is further stated that when the offending vehicle reached near Vardhman police Chowki within the jurisdiction of P.S. Muradnagar, respondent no. 4 struck the   offending   vehicle   against   a   truck   which   was   going ahead of it and due to the said impact the petitioner had suffered multiple injuries on her body. The petitioner was firstly   removed  to  Mohan Nagar  Hospital  and  thereafter she   was   taken   by   her   husband   to   the   G.T.B.   Hospital, Delhi   where   she   had   undergone   number   of   operations and was admitted in the hospital for quite long time. It has further been mentioned in the petition that at the time of MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           6 of 29         7 accident   the   petitioner   was  a  housewife  aged  about  47 years.  It has been stated that the respondents being the owner and driver of the said offending vehicle are jointly, severally and vicariously liable to pay compensation to the petitioner. 

4. As per record, no FIR has been registered in this case and   only   one   DD   No.   25   dated   09.04.2006   PS Muradnagar, Ghaziabad, UP was registered in this case.  

5. As per record, in the case in hand, Respondent nos. 1 to 3 have filed written statement jointly wherein it is stated that when the bus reached near Vardhman Police Chowki at that time truck bearing No. UP­12A­6521 overtook the bus     from   the   wrong   side   and   in   this   process   struck against the left portion of the bus and fled away from the spot. It  has been stated that the respondent no. 4 who was driving the said bus removed the injured with the help of   other   passengers   to   Narender   Mohan   Hospital   and lodged the report (DD) with the police. It has also been stated that the accident took place due to the negligent driving on the part of the driver of the truck bearing no. UP­12A­6521.   It   is   further   stated   that   offending   vehicle (Bus)   was   insured   with   Oriental   Insurance   co.   hence MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           7 of 29         8 respondents   are   not   liable   to   pay   any   compensation   to petitioner. 

6. As per record, Respondent no. 4 has also filed his written statement wherein he has stated that the petitioner was herself negligent, he was driving the said bus (offending vehicle) and  the accident occurred due to the negligent driving on the part of driver of Truck bearing no. UP­12A­ 6521 who has not made a party in this case. He has also stated that he was driving the said bus with due care and caution and at a normal speed.  

7. Further, as per record, Oriental Insurance co/R5 has also filed a written statement and has taken various defences as available u/s 149 & 170 of M.V. Act, however, it has admitted   that   offending   vehicle   was   insured   vide insurance   policy   no.   221000/31/2006/110001   for   the period   10.05.2005   to   09.05.2006   in   the   name   of   U.P. State   Road   Transport   Corporation,   Tehri   Kothi,   MG Margh, Lucknow, UP which covers the date of accident.

8. On   the   pleadings   of   the   parties,   following   issues   were framed for consideration vide order dt. 07.05.2008 by the Ld. Predecessor of this court:­

1.   Whether   the   petitioner   had   sustained   injuries   on MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           8 of 29         9 08.04.2006 (in the intervening night of 08/09.04.2006) at about 3:30 am near Vardhman Police Chowki, PS Murad Nagar,   Ghaziabad   due   to   rash   and   negligent   driving   of respondent   no.   4   Sh.   Dheer   Singh   while   driving   UP Roadways bus bearing registration no. UP­15R­9924? 

2.   Whether the petitioner is entitled to compensation, if so, to what amount and from whom? 

3. Relief.

9. In the case in hand, the petitioner/injured Smt. Kamlesh has examined herself as PW1 and has led her evidence by way of affidavit which has been proved as Ex.PW1/A. She has also relied upon various documents as Ex.PW1/1 to   Ex.PW1/97.     The   petitioner   has   also   examined   Sh. Pyara Singh, Medical Record Supervisor, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital   as   PW2   and   Sh.   Hemant   Tekwani,   Record Keeper, GTB Hospital, Dilshsad Garden as PW3.       R1 to R3 did not lead any evidence in support of their case. 

        Sh. Dheer Singh/R4 has examined himself as R4W1 and   lead   his   evidence   by   way   of   affidavit   which   is   Ex. R4W1/A   and   has   also   relied   upon   the   documents   Ex. R4W1/1 and R4W1/2 i.e. the copy of his driving licences. 

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           9 of 29         10      Oriental   Insurance   co/R5   has   also  examined   Sh. Suresh Ram Sr. Clerk, RTO Office Meerut, UP as R5W1 and Sh. Parmod Kumar, Junior Assistant, RTO Aligarh , UP   as   R5W2.   The   record   would   show   that   R5W1   only partly   examined   in   chief   on   18.07.2016   and   only examination   in   chief   of   R5W2   was   recorded   on 18.07.2016 and his cross examination was deferred. The record would show that the testimony of R5W1 and R5W2 was not completed by R5 as a result of which, the said witnesses  remained only partly examined and the other parties including the petitioner did not get any opportunity to   cross   examine   them.   In   the   said   circumstances,   the incomplete testimony of R5W1 and R5W2 cannot be read for any purposes either in favour of R5 or against other parties and any document sought to be proved by R5W1 and R5W2 in their partial testimony can also be not read in   evidence   and   any   such   document   is   accordingly   de­ exhibited.  

      Insurance   co./R5   has,   however,   examined   Ms. Neelam   Rani,   Assistant,   Oriental   Insurance   co.   R5W3 who has deposed to the effect that the offending vehicle (bus) was insured for the period 10.05.2005 to 09.05.2006 MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           10 of 29       11 vide   insurance   policy   Ex.   R5W3/1.   Legal   notice   u/o   12 rule  8   CPC  to the owner/driver of the offending vehicle through counsel has been proved as Ex. R5W3/2 and the corresponding  postal receipts have been proved as Ex. R5W3/3   to   R5W3/5.   She   deposed   that   service   of   the summons  was  effected through Sh.  Pritish  Guha  Sirkar and his affidavit is Ex. R5W3/6. 

10. I have heard and the arguments addressed on behalf of Ld. Counsel for the petitioner, ld counsel for respondents and have also perused the written submissions, filed on behalf of the Insurance co./R5   I have also perused the record.     Now,   I   proceed   to   discuss   the   issues   in   the subsequent paragraphs.

11. Issue wise findings are as under:­ Issue No.1            In   the   case   in   hand,   the   petitioner   has   examined himself   as   PW1   and   has   filed   her   evidence   by   way   of affidavit Ex.PW1/A, wherein she has deposed on the lines of   her   claim   petition.     She   has   proved   her   medical treatment   record   and   medical   bills   as   Ex.   PW1/1   to Ex.PW1/89.  Copy of DD entry is mark A, PS Muradnagar, UP. The copy of ration card and voter ID card is proved as MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           11 of 29       12 Ex. PW1/94 to Ex. PW1/96.  

        The petitioner/PW1 has deposed to the effect that on 09.04.2006   at   about   3:30   am   (night),     the   petitioner alongwith her husband were traveling in U.P. Roadways bus   bearing   registration   no.   UP­15R­9924   i.e   the offending   vehicle   from   Haridwar   to   Delhi   which   at   the relevant   time   was   being   driven   by   R4   rashly   and negligently. It has further been deposed that petitioner as well   as   other   passengers   had   several   times   asked   the driver to drive the vehicle slowly but the respondent no. 4 did not pay any heed. It has been deposed that when the offending vehicle reached near Vardhman police Chowki within the jurisdiction of P.S. Muradnagar, respondent no. 4, while driving the bus at a high speed could not control the   steering   and   struck   the   offending   vehicle   against   a truck   with   a   great   force   and   due   to   said   impact   the petitioner  suffered multiple injuries including fractures on her body. She deposed that she suffered grievous injuries on her left side mouth, on right side from mouth to ear and number of stitches were applied on her face upto left ear. She   has   deposed   that   she   also   received   fractures   of clavicle spine, head and other multiple grievous injuries.

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           12 of 29       13 She   further   deposed   that   her   teeth   were   also   dis­ balanced, some of the portion near her left ear had been cut off and plastic surgery operation was carried out due to which she was facing difficulty in chewing the day to day meals and also experiencing in difficulty in hearing. The   petitioner   was   firstly   removed   to   Mohan   Nagar Hospital   and   thereafter   petitioner   was   taken   by   her husband to the G.T.B. Hospital, Delhi. Petitioner remained admitted at GTB Hospital, Delhi upto 25.04.2006 and after her   discharge   she   was   also   taken   to   Sir   Ganga   Ram Hospital   for   treatment   and   from   their   to   Jeevan   Jyoti Nursing.

           She also deposed that the matter was referred to PS Murad Nagar, UP by the driver of the bus himself i.e. R4   wherein   he   mentioned   that   number   of   persons   had suffered   injuries,   however,   only   DD   entry   mark   A   was registered in that regard. 

         R1 to R4 did not cross­examine PW1 and her cross examination   on   their   behalf   was   nil,   opportunity   given, therefore, R1 to  R4 shall be deemed to have admitted the abovesaid   testimony   of   PW1/petitioner   regarding   the manner in which the case accident was caused by R4 by MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           13 of 29       14 driving   the   offending   vehicle   in   a   rash   and   negligent manner.  

     PW1 has placed on record the copy of DD entry which is mark A which was lodged on the statement of driver Sh. Dheer Singh/R4. The said fact has also come in the cross examination of R4W1 (R4) as conducted by ld counsel   for   the   petitioner   wherein   he   has  interalia deposed   that   the   DD   entry   was   lodged   by   him   at   P.S. Muradnagar on 09.04.2006. He has also admitted that the passengers tickets Ex. PW1/90 to Ex. PW1/93 pertain to U.P.   Roadways.   R4W1   further   admitted   in   his   cross examination   that   when   the   bus   reach   near   Vardhman Police Chowki within the jurisdiction of PS Murad Nagar, UP then it met with an accident due to which number of passengers had sustained injuries and that the petitioner and her husband were also traveling in the bus on that day. 

                PW1   was  also  cross  examined   on  behalf   of   ld counsel   for   Oriental   Insurance   co./R5   but   nothing   has come on record in the said examination to discredit the case of petitioner. 

          There is thus nothing on record to suggest that R4 MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           14 of 29       15 did not cause the said accident in the manner as deposed by   the   petitioner   and   R4   has   also   admitted   the   fact   of accident   in   his   cross   examination   as   conducted   by   ld counsel for petitioner.

         Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has also rightly relied upon   the   judgment   of   Hon'ble   Allahabad   High   Court   in case titled as The New India Assurance Company Ltd. Vs.   Kaushalya   Devi,   IV(2014)   ACC   701(DB)(All.)   as decided   on   10.04.2014  to   the   effect   that   no   adverse inference   can   be  drawn   against   the   claimant's   case   for failure of the police to investigate the matter and even if FIR has not been lodged regarding the accident, a claim petition   can   be   considered   by   the   Tribunal   and compensation can be awarded. Further, Ld. Counsel for the petitioner has also correctly relied upon the judgment of   Hon'ble   Madras   High   Court   in   case   titled   as Anbazhagan Vs. V. Shankar, 2014 ACJ 469 as decided on   15.10.2012  to   the   effect   that   failure   to   get   FIR registered   is   not fatal to  the  claim  petition  and  that  the registration of the offence and police investigation is not a condition   precedent   for   awarding   the   claim   under   the MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           15 of 29       16 Motor Vehicles Act and the claim could be awarded if the same   is   proved   by   admissible   evidence   with   all probabilities.    It   was   also   held   that   the   claimants   are entitled   for   compensation   on   proving   the   facts   and circumstances regarding such accident and the factum of fatal injuries sustained by the deceased. The above said judgments   are   squarely   applicable   on   the   facts   of   the present case. In the present case also by the testimony of the petitioner/PW1 she has proved the case accident and the injuries suffered by her in it as a result of rash and negligent driving by R4 i.e. driver of the offending vehicle.               Accordingly, in view of the totality of the facts and circumstances   of   the   case,   on   the   basis   of   material   as placed on record and abovesaid discussion, there is no reason to disbelieve the version of the petitioner.  In these circumstances,   issue   No.1   is   decided   in   favour   of   the petitioner and against the respondents to the effect that the   case   accident   was   caused   by   R4   while   driving   the offending vehicle rashly and negligently at the abovesaid date,   place   and   time.    Issue   No.1   is   accordingly decided   in  favour  of the   petitioner  and  against  the respondents.

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           16 of 29       17

12.Issue No.2         In view of findings on issue No.1, the petitioner is entitled for compensation.  

          Petitioner  has deposed in her  evidence by way of affidavit   Ex.PW1/A   that   in   the   case   accident,   she sustained injuries on her left side of mouth from mouth to ear and number of stitches were applied on her face upto left   ear,   the   teeth   were   also   dis­balanced,   some   of   the portion near the left ear had been cut off due to which she was facing difficulty in chewing day to day meals and that she   also   received   fracture   of   clavicle   bone,   head   and other   multiple   grievous   injuries   on   her   body.     She   has further   deposed   that   she   was   firstly   taken   to   Narinder Mohan Hospital and after that she was removed to GTB hospital   where   she   remained   admitted   upto   25 th  April, 2006.   She   also   deposed   that   thereafter   she   took treatment   from   Sir   Ganga   Hospital   and   Jeevan   Jyoti Nursing Home. She has deposed that she had incurred the amount of Rs. 70,000/­ on her treatment.  The entire treatment record including medical bills have been proved as   Ex.   PW1/1   to   Ex.   PW1/89.   Petitioner   has   also MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           17 of 29       18 examined Sh. Pyara Singh, Medical Record Supervisor, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Delhi as PW2 who has proved the   original   admission   record   of   petitioner   and   the photocopy   of   the   same   is   proved   as   Ex.   PW2/A.   He deposed that the petitioner was admitted in their hospital on 08.03.2008 and was discharged on the same day, her ear   was   operated   in   the   hospital   and   their   hospital received total payment of Rs. 13,822/­ for her treatment. Further,   she   has   also   examined   Sh.   Hemant   Tekwani, Record Keeper, GTB hospital, Dilshad Garden, Delhi as PW3 who also brought the treatment record of petitioner and   has   deposed   that   petitioner   was   admitted   in   the hospital on 13.04.2006 and discharged on 25.04.06 and proved the said record as Ex. PW3/1 (colly 10 sheets).              Nothing   substantial   has   appeared   in   cross examination of PW1 to PW3 to discredit their testimonies. 

13.    Accordingly,   the   petitioner   is   entitled   to   following compensation:­ A. Medical Expenses        The petitioner has placed on record entire treatment record and medical bills and receipts for a total sum of Rs.51,481/­ in Ex. PW1/1 to Ex. PW1/89. The same being MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           18 of 29       19 connected   with   the   treatment   in   question   are   allowed. Since the said bills are duly proved on record, hence, Rs. 51,481/­ is granted to the petitioner towards medical bills.  B. Special Diet and conveyance            The   petitioner   during   arguments   also   demanded special diet and conveyance. PW1 has deposed that she visited the hospital for about 15­20 times and an amount of Rs. 200/­ to Rs. 350/­ per visit was incurred for hiring a TSR/Taxi and as per the oral advise of the doctor she had been taking special diet which cost an additional financial burden of Rs. 100/­ per day. In her cross examination, she interalia  deposed that she was still taking special diet on her own. No specific documents/bills etc have, however, been filed on record to prove the same, however, in view of the injuries and taking the probable period treatment for about 8 months, a lumpsum amount of  Rs. 24,000/­  @ Rs.   3000/­   per   month  for   eight  months   is  allowed.  (Rs. 3000 p.m.x8 months).

C. Attendant Charges            Petitioner has deposed that her family engaged a fully time maid servant for the preparation of food and her MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           19 of 29       20 other necessities and paid a sum of Rs. 3000/­ per month to her. In her cross examination, PW1 deposed that she did not have any evidence with regard to the engaging of maid servant for the preparation of food and other day to­ day household work. Petitioner has neither examined any such alleged maid servant nor has filed any such bill on record.   Keeping   in   view   the   nature   of   injury,     it   is   , however, clear that some person would have attended her for   the   said   period   of   medical   treatment.   In   the   said circumstances,   a   reasonable   lump   sum   amount   of  Rs. 20,000/­ is granted towards attendant charges.  F. Pain and Suffering        As discussed above, the petitioner deposed that she suffered   some   fractures   and   other   injuries   on   her   body including face and ear. In view of the fact that petitioner had suffered multiple injuries, a lumpsum amount of  Rs. 75,000/­ is allowed under this head.  

G. Loss of income         In view of the injuries sustained by the petitioner and treatment undertaken by her, it is clear that the petitioner would not have been able to attend to her work for about MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           20 of 29       21 8   months.   Further,   petitioner   is   admittedly   a   housewife and   she   has   not   placed   on   record   any   document regarding   her   education,   hence,   minimum   wage   of unskilled   labour  would  be taken  into consideration.  The minimum wage of an unskilled worker was Rs.3,271/­ per month at the relevant time. Therefore, she is entitled to loss of income for about 8 months which comes to Rs. 26,168/­ ( Rs. 3,271/­per month x 8 months) under this head.  Upon rounding of, it comes to Rs. 26,170/­. 

14. Accordingly, the over all compensation which is to be awarded   to   the   petitioner   thus   comes   to  Rs.1,96,651/­ which is tabulated as below:­ Sl. No Compensation  Award amount

         1. Pain and suffering Rs.  75,000/­ 2 Special   diet   & Rs.  24,000/­ Conveyance

3. Attendant Charges Rs.  20,000/­

4. Medical Expenses Rs. 51,481/­ 

5. Loss of income Rs.  26,170/­ Total Rs. 1,96,651/­ (Rupees     One   Lakh     Ninety   Six   Thousand   Six Hundered Fifty one Only) MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           21 of 29       22         The claimant/petitioner is also entitled to interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing of petition i.e. w.e.f 22.01.2007   till   realisation   of   the   compensation   amount. The said interest @ 9% p.a. was awarded on the award amount   by   the   Hon'ble   Apex   Court   in   case  Municipal Corporation   of   Delhi     vs.   Association   of   Victims   of Uphaar Tragedy, 2012 ACJ 48 (SC) . 

      The amount of interim award, if any, shall however be deducted from the above amount, if the same has already been paid to the petitioner. 

15. Liability          In the present matter, Sh. Dheer Singh/R4 has lead his evidence by way of affidavit which is Ex. R4W1/A and has relied upon the documents as Ex. R4W1/1 & R4W1/2 which   are   the   copies  of  his  driving  licence.  The   driving licence Ex. R4W1/2 would show that R4 was licensed to drive   the   offending   vehicle   and   the   driving   licence   was renewed from 07.11.2004 to 06.11.2007 covering the date of accident. Further, the insurance co/R5 did not put any suggestion   to   R4W1(R4)   to   the   effect   that   he   was   not having   any  valid   driving   licence  to  drive  the  bus  at   the MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           22 of 29       23 time   of   the   accident.   R4   has   thus   proved   that   he   was having a valid driving licence to drive the offending vehicle at the time of accident.      

          Insurance   co./R5   has   examined   Ms.   Neelam   Rani Assistant,   Oriental   Insurance   co.   who   has   deposed regarding the insurance policy and has admitted that the offending   vehicle   was   insured   with   it   for   the   period 10.05.2005 to 09.05.2006. 

           R5W3 has deposed that legal notice u/o 12 rule 8 CPC   was   served   to   the   owner/driver   of   the   offending vehicle through their counsel Ms. Seema Gulati which has proved as Ex. R5W3/2 and the postal receipts qua service of said notice on respondent nos. 1, 3 and 4 have been proved as Ex. R5W3/3 to Ex. R5W3/5. Even affidavit of one   Mr.   Pritish   Guha   Sirkar,   has   been   proved   as   Ex. R5W3/6   to   the   effect   that   he   handed   over   the   dasti summon   to   the   office   of   Commissioner,   Transport Authority, Lucknow, UP. R5W3 was not cross examined on behalf of petitioner or respondents no. 1 to 4 and his cross examination by them nil, opportunity given. In the said circumstances, the petitioner and respondents no. 1 to   4   shall   be   deemed   to   admit   the   testimony   of   R5W3 MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           23 of 29       24 regarding the service of legal notice u/o 12 rule 8 CPC upon R1, R3 and R4. In facts, an adverse inference can be   drawn   against   R1   to   R3   i.e   owner   of   the   offending vehicle  to the effect that the said vehicle was not having any valid permit at the time of the accident. It is further pertinent   to   note   that   R1   to   R3   have   not   lead   any evidence despite any opportunity and have thus failed to prove that they were having any valid permit for the said vehicle at the relevant time.      

16. In the present case, though, it is shown on record that Respondent no. 1 to 3 were not having a valid permit qua the   offending   vehicle   on   the   date   of   accident   at   the relevant   time,   yet   the   insurance   company/R5   is   under statutory   obligation   to   pay   the   compensation   amount   to the   petitioner/claimant   and   it   can   very   well   recover   the said   amount   from   R1  to  R3  i.e.  owner  of  the  offending vehicle (Bus) as per rules.

17.  Accordingly, in the case in hand,  Oriental Insurance co/R5 is directed to deposit within the jurisdiction of this Tribunal i.e. SBI Rohini Courts Complex, Delhi,  in terms of   order   dated   16.05.2017   of   Hon'ble   High   Court   by Hon'ble Mr. Justice J.R. Midha in case of Rajesh Tyagi MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           24 of 29       25 Vs. Jaibir Singh and Ors.  within 30 days from today the awarded amount of Rs.1,96,651/­ alongwith interest at the rate of 9 % per annum from the date of filing of the petition till notice of deposition of the awarded amount to be given by R5 to the petitioner and her advocate and to show or deposit the receipt of the acknowledgement with the Nazir as per rules. Insurance co. is further directed to deposit the awarded amount in the above said bank by means of cheque drawn in the name of above said bank alongwith the   name   of   the   claimant   mentioned   therein.   The   said bank is further directed to keep the said amount in fixed deposit in its own name till the claimant approaches the bank for disbursement, so that the awarded amount starts earning interest from the date of clearance of the cheque. 

APPORTIONMENT

18.         Statement   of   petitioner   in   terms   of   clause   26 MCTAP was recorded.   I have heard the petitioner and Ld.   counsel   for   the   injured/petitioner   regarding   financial needs of the injured/petitioner and in view of the judgment in   the   case   of  General   Manager,   Kerala   State   Road Transport   Corporation   Vs.     Susamma   Thomas   & MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           25 of 29       26 Others, 1994 (2) SC, 1631, for appropriate investments to safeguard   the   amount   from   being   frittered   away   by   the beneficiaries owing to their ignorance, illiteracy and being susceptible   to   exploitation,   following   arrangements   are hereby ordered:­          Hence on realization, out of the awarded amount, an   amount   of   Rs.   1,50,000/­   be   released   to   the petitioner/injured and remaining amount alongwith interest be kept in the form FDRs of equal amount for a period of one   year   and   two   years   respectively   with   cumulative interest in her name subject to the following directions:­

(i) The interest on the fixed deposits be paid monthly to the claimant/petitioner.

(ii) The monthly interest be credited automatically in the saving account of the claimant/petitioner.

(iii) Original fixed deposit receipts be retained by the bank in safe custody.   However, a passbook of the FDRs be given to the claimant/petitioner alongwith the photocopy of the FDRs be given to claimant/petitioner.   At the time of maturity, the fixed deposit amount shall be automatically credited   in   the   savings   bank   account   of   the Claimant/petitioner.

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           26 of 29       27

(iv)   No   cheque   book/Debit   Card   be   issued   to   the claimant/petitioner without permission of the Court.

(v)   No   loan,   advance   or   withdrawal   be   allowed   on   the fixed deposits without  permission of the Court.

(vi)   The   Bank   shall   not   permit   any   joint   name(s)   to   be added   in   the   savings   bank   account   or   fixed   deposit accounts of the victims.

(vii) Half yearly statement of account be filed by the Bank before the Tribunal. 

19.  Relief      In view of abovesaid discussion, Respondent Nos. 5  is directed   to   deposit   the   award   amount   of   Rs.1,96,651/­ with interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing of petition i.e. 22.01.2007 till realization within the jurisdiction of this Tribunal i.e. SBI Rohini Courts Complex, Delhi, in terms of order dated 16.05.2017 of Hon'ble High Court by Hon'ble Mr. Justice J.R. Midha in case of Rajesh Tyagi  Vs.  Jaibir Singh and Ors.   within 30 days from today   under   intimation   of   deposition   of   the   awarded amount   to   be   given   by   R5   to   the   petitioner   and   her advocate failing which she shall be liable to pay interest MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           27 of 29       28 @ 12% per annum from the period of delay beyond 30 days. 

        The R5 is also directed to place on record the proof of the deposit of award amount, proof of delivery of notice in respect of deposit of the amount in the above said bank to   the   claimant   and   complete   details   in   respect   of calculations of interest etc in the court within 30 days from today. 

       A copy of this judgment/award be sent to respondent no. 5 for compliance within the granted time.           Nazir is directed to place a report on record in the event of non­receipt/deposit of the compensation amount within the granted time.   

20.  A copy of this award be forwarded to the concerned Ld. Metropolitan Magistrate in terms of the orders passed by the Hon'ble High Court in FAO 842/2003 Rajesh Tyagi Vs. Jaibir Singh & Ors. vide order dated 12.12.2014. 

MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           28 of 29       29

21.   File be consigned to record room as per rules after compliance of necessary legal formalities.  Copy of order be given to parties for necessary compliance as per rules.

Announced in the open Court      (AMIT BANSAL) today i.e 26.08.2017 Judge   MACT     (N/W)                           Rohini Courts, Delhi MACT No. 87/07 Kamlesh Vs. UP State Roadways.           29 of 29