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[Cites 15, Cited by 0]

Delhi District Court

Smt.Guddi vs Dharmender on 24 January, 2018

           IN THE COURT OF MS. HEMANI MALHOTRA, JUDGE, 
         MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL­02, WEST DISTRICT,
                     TIS HAZARI COURTS, DELHI

 Petition No.:76714 /2016
 FIR No.174/2014
 PS Beri, Distt.Jhajjar, Haryana

   1. Smt.Guddi 
      (wife of the deceased Hemchander)

   2. Baby Anshi
      (Minor Daughter of the deceased)

   3. Baby Anisha 
      (Minor Daughter of the deceased)

   4. Master Aditya 
      (Minor Son of the deceased) 

   5. Smt.Laxmi Devi 
      (Mother of the deceased) 

   6. Fateh Singh                    (since expired)
      (Father of the deceased) 

      All R/o H.No.106, Garhi Panna Mandir Mohalla,
      Village, Neelwal, 
      Delhi 
                                                       ...... Petitioners
                                     Versus

   1. Dharmender 
      S/o Iqbal Singh 
      R/o G­466, J.J. Colony, 
      Bakkarwala, 
      New Delhi
      (Driver)

   2. Vijay Kumar 
      S/o Dayanand 
      R/o H.No.854/3, VPO Mundka, 
      near Shiv Om Dharamkanta, 
      Delhi 
      (Registered Owner)
  3. Magma HDI General Insurance Co.Ltd. 
    Off - Unit 473, 4th Floor, 
    Agarwal Cyber Plaza­II, 
    Pitampura, Delhi
    (Insurer)
                                                                          ......Respondents
             Date of Institution                    : 24.11.2014
             Date of concluding arguments           : 17.01.2018

Date of pronouncement of judgment/award: 24.01.2018 AWARD

1. This   judgment   cum   award   shall   decide   the   claim   petition   filed   by   the petitioners under Sections 166 and 140 of  the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as "M.V. Act") as amended up to date  to claim compensation for death of Hemchander in a road vehicular accident. An FIR No.174/2014 under Sections 279/304A IPC was registered at Police Station   Beri,   Distt.Jhajjar,   Haryana   and   charge­sheet   was   filed   against Dharmender/Respondent   No.1,   driver   of   a   TATA   407   tempo   bearing registration No.DL­1LK­5648 (offending vehicle). 

2. Certified   copies   of   the   criminal   proceedings   including   FIR   and   charge­ sheet were filed by the petitioners. 

3. Brief facts of the vehicular accident as averred in the Claim Petition are that at about 12:00 pm on 20.07.2014, when deceased Hemchander along with his niece Preeti was going on his scooter bearing No.HR­10C­8021, a TATA 407 tempo bearing registration No.DL­1LK­5648 which was coming from wrong side in a rash and negligent manner, hit the scooter of the deceased from front side on a road between Village Barhana and Village Dighal. Consequently, Hemchander and Preeti fell down and Hemchander received fatal injuries. He was removed to CHC, Dighal for treatment, but on   the   advise   of   Doctor,   he   was   further   removed   to   Post­Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences (PGIMS), Rohtak where Doctor declared him "brought dead".  

4. Subsequently,   it   transpired   that   Dharmender/respondent   No.1   was   the driver of the offending vehicle owned by Vijay Kumar/respondent No.2 and   insured   with   Magma   HDI   General   Insurance   Company Limited/respondent No.3. 

5. No Written Statement was filed by respondent Nos.1 and 2. 

6. In the Written Statement filed by respondent No.3/Insurance Co., it was admitted   that   the   offending   vehicle   was   insured   with   respondent   No.3 vide   its   Policy   No.P0014100021/4103/362457   which   was   valid   from 18.03.2014 till 17.03.2015.  

7. From   the   pleadings   of   the   parties,   contentions   raised   and   material   on record, the following issues were framed by the Learned Predecessor vide order dated 23.02.2015: 

1. Whether the deceased Hem Chander suffered fatal injuries in an accident   that   took   place   on   20.07.2014   at   about   12   pm involving   Tata­407   bearing   No.DL­1LK­5648   driven   by respondent No.1, owned by respondent No.2 and insured with respondent No.3/Insurance Company? OPP
2. Whether   the   petitioner   is   entitled   for   compensation?   If   so,   to what amount and from whom?
3. Relief.

8. I have heard the arguments addressed by learned Counsels for the parties and have meticulously gone through the testimonies of the witnesses as well as court record. 

9. My findings on various issues are as under: 

Issue No. 1:
Whether the deceased Hem Chander suffered fatal injuries in an accident   that   took   place   on   20.07.2014   at   about   12   pm involving   Tata­407   bearing   No.DL­1LK­5648   driven   by respondent No.1, owned by respondent No.2 and insured with respondent No.3/Insurance Company? OPP

10. Since the present claim petition has been filed under the provisions of 166 & 140 of the Motor Vehicles Act, it is the bounden duty of the petitioners to prove that the respondent No.1 was rash and negligent in driving the offending vehicle at the time of accident.  

11. In   support   of   her   claim   Smt.Guddi,   wife   of   deceased   Hemchander, examined   herself   as   PW1   and   Preeti,   an   eye­witness   and   niece   of   the deceased, as PW2. 

12. In her  evidence  by  way  of  affidavit  (Ex.PW1/A), she  deposed that her husband   met   with   an   accident   on   20.07.2014   and   was   removed   to hospital   where   doctors   declared   him   brought   dead.   During   her   cross­ examination, she testified that she had received a phone call regarding the accident in the evening. 

13. Petitioner Smt.Guddi also examined PW2/Preeti, who was an eye­witness to  the  accident  and   was  travelling   as  pillion   rider   on   the   scooter   with deceased on the day of the accident i.e. 20.07.2014. PW2/Preeti, in her evidence by way of affidavit (Ex.PW2/A), deposed that at about 12:00 pm on 20.07.2014, she along with her deceased Mama (maternal uncle) was going from Village Neelwal to Village Karontha, Haryana. She was sitting as   pillion   rider   and   her   deceased   Mama   was   driving   the   scooter.   She further deposed that when they reached near Village Bahrana, one TATA 407 bearing registration No.DL­1LK­5648 came at a very fast speed from Village Digal side and hit their scooter from the side. Due to the forceful impact, she fell down from the scooter and her Mama Hemchander was dragged with the scooter by the offending vehicle upto some distance. She further   stated   that   due   to   the   said   accident,   her   Mama   Hemchander received fatal injuries.  

14. In her cross­examination by respondents, PW2/Preeti reiterated the mode and manner of accident and denied that she was not sitting as pillion rider when   the   accident   took   place.   She   also   denied   that   the   accident   was caused due to rash and negligent driving of deceased Hemchander. She, thus, refused to toe the line of the respondents that she was not the eye­ witness to the accident. 

15. The testimony of PW2/Preeti is credible and reliable. Nothing could be revealed in the cross­examination of PW2/Preeti to doubt her veracity or the fact that the accident had taken place due to rash and negligent act of the offending vehicle. 

16. Dharmender/Respondent   No.1/driver   of   the   offending   vehicle   in   his evidence   examined   himself   as  R1W1.  During   his   cross­examination,   he admitted that he was facing trial regarding the said accident in Jhajjar Court   and   that   his   driving   licence   was   seized   by   the   police   and   the offending vehicle i.e. TATA 407 was also impounded by the police. 

17. Regarding   the   rash   and   negligent   act   of   the   driver   of   the   offending vehicle, the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi in a case titled in  KAUSHNUMMA BEGUM AND ORS. VS. NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD., 2001 ACJ 421 SC, held that the issue of wrongful act or omission on the part of driver of the motor   vehicle   involved   in   the   accident   has   been   left   to   a   secondary importance   and   mere   use   or   involvement   of   motor   vehicle   in   causing bodily injuries or death to a human being or damage to property would make the petition maintainable under Section 166 and 140 of the Act. 

18. In BASANT KAUR AND ORS. VS. CHATTAR PAL SINGH & ORS., reported as 2003 ACJ 369 MP (DB), it was observed that registration of criminal case against the driver of the offending vehicle was enough to record a finding that the owner of the offending vehicle was responsible for causing the accident. 

19. Further, in  NATIONAL   INSURANCE   CO.   LTD.   VS.   PUSHPA   RANA   reported as 2009 ACJ, 287, it was held that in case the petitioner files the certified copy of the criminal record or the criminal record showing the completion of the   investigation   by   the   police   or   the   issuance   of   charge   sheet   under Section 279/304 A IPC or the certified copy of the FIR or in addition the recovery   memo   or   the   mechanical   inspection   report   of   the   offending vehicle, these documents are sufficient proof  to reach to the conclusion that the driver was negligent. It was further held that the  proceedings under the Motor Vehicles Act are not akin to the proceedings in a civil suit and hence strict rules of evidence are not required to be followed in this regard. It is also settled law that the term rashness and negligence has to be construed lightly while making a decision on a petition for claim for the   same   as   compared   to   the   word   rashness   and   negligence   as   finds mention   in   the   Indian   Penal   Code.   This   is   because   the   chapter   in   the Motor   Vehicle   Act   dealing   with   compensation   is   benevolent   legislation and not a penal one. 

20. In a case titled as UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO. LTD. VS. SMT. RINKI @ RINKU &   ORS.  in  MAC   APP.   NO.200/2012  decided   on   23.07.2012,  Hon'ble Mr.Justice G.P. Mittal reiterated the aforesaid view and held as under: 

"The Claims Tribunal was conscious of the fact that negligence is a sine qua non to a Petition under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988(the Act). It is also true that the proceedings for grant of compensation under the Act are neither governed by the criminal procedures nor are a civil suit. A reference may be made to a judgment of the Supreme Court  Bimla Devi and Ors. Vs. Himachal Road Transport Corporation and Ors, (2009) 13 SC 530 wherein it was held as under:
"15. In a situation of this nature, the Tribunal has rightly taken a holistic view of the matter. It was necessary to be borne in mind that strict proof of any accident caused by a particular bus in a particular manner   may   not   be   possible   to   be   done   by   the   claimant.   The claimants  were merely  to  establish their  case  on the touchstone of preponderance   of   probability.   The   standard   of   proof   beyond reasonable doubt could not have been applied." 

21. Considering all the facts and circumstances, deposition of PW2/Preeti and the dictum of the aforecited judgments, it is established that respondent No.1 was driving the offending vehicle in a rash and negligent manner. 

22. Issue No.1 is, thus, decided in favour of the petitioners and against the respondents. 

23. Finding on Issue No.2:

Whether   the   petitioner   is   entitled   for   compensation?   If   so,   to what amount and from whom?
Since issue No.1 is decided in favour of the petitioners, they are entitled for compensation. 

24. In  Sarla   Verma   and   Others   vs.   Delhi   Transport   Corporation   and Another, (2009) 6 Supreme Court Cases 121, which has been reiterated by the  Constitution Bench of Hon'ble Supreme Court  in case titled as National   Insurance   Company   Vs.   Pranay   Sethi   &   Ors.   decided   on 31.10.2017,  the   Hon'ble   Supreme   Court   of   India   laid   down   general principals for computation of compensation in death cases. The relevant paras of the judgment are re­produced here as under: 

"18.   Basically only three facts need to be established by the claimants for assessing compensation in the case of death:
(a) age of the deceased;
(b) income of the deceased; and
(c) the number of dependents.

This   issues   to   be   determined   by   the   Tribunal   to   arrive   at   the   loss   of dependency are:

(i)   additions/deductions to be made for arriving at the income;
(ii)  the deduction to be made towards the personal living expenses of the deceased; and 
(iii) the multiplier to be applied with reference to the age of the deceased.

If these determinations are standardized, there will be uniformity and consistency in the decisions. There will be lesser need for detailed evidence. It will also be easier for the Insurance Companies to settle accident claims without delay.

19.  To have uniformity and consistency, the Tribunals should determine compensation in cases of death, by the following well­settled steps:

Step­1 (Ascertaining the multiplicand) The income of the deceased per annum should be determined. Out of the said income a deduction should be made in regard to the amount which the deceased would have spent on himself by way of personal and living expenses. The balance, which is considered to be the contribution to the dependent family, constitutes the multiplicand. Step­2 (Ascertaining the multiplier) Having regard to the age of the deceased and period of active career, the   appropriate   multiplier   should   be   selected.   This   does   not   mean ascertaining the number of years he would have lived or worked but for the accident.   Having   regard   to   several   imponderables   in   life   and   economic factors, a table of multiplier with reference to the age has been identified by this   Court.   The   multiplier   should   be   chosen   from   the   said   table   with reference to the age of the deceased.
Step­3 (Actual Calculation) The annual contribution to the family (multiplicand) when multiplied by such multiplier gives the 'loss of dependency' to the family. 
Thereafter, a conventional amount in the range of Rs. 5,000/­ to Rs. 10,000/­ may be added as loss of estates. Where the deceased is survived by his widow, another conventional amount in the range of Rs. 5,000/­ to Rs. 10,000/­ should be added under the head of loss of consortium. But no amount is to be awarded under the head of pain, suffering or hardship caused to the legal heirs of the deceased.
  The funeral expenses, cost of transportation of the body (if incurred) and   the   cost   of   any   medical   treatment   of   the   deceased   before   death   (if incurred) should also be added." 
Therefore, in view of the aforecited judgment, it is essential to take into consideration the following parameters:­  Age of the deceased
25. Though PW­1/Guddi, wife of the deceased Hemchander, in her testimony did not place on record any documentary proof to prove the age of the deceased. In her evidence by way of affidavit (Ex.PW1/A), she stated that her   deceased   husband   was   aged   about   25   years   at   the   time   of   the accident. However, she has placed on record certified copies of criminal proceedings (Ex.PW1/7, colly) which includes the post­mortem report of the deceased Hemchander wherein the age of deceased was mentioned as 25 years. 
26. The   post­mortem   report   was   neither   disputed   nor   challenged   by   the respondents.   Hence,   taking   into   account   deposition   of   PW1/Smt.Guddi and post­mortem report, age of deceased as on date of the  accident is assessed as 25 years. 
Income of the deceased
27. It   was   claimed   by   PW1/Guddi   in   her   affidavit   (Ex.PW1/A)  that   her deceased husband  was a labourer  and  earning Rs.10,000/­ per   month.

She, however, did not place on record any document to prove the same. Thus, in absence of any evidence, the deceased is considered as unskilled worker on the date of accident i.e. 20.07.2014 and his income is assessed on the basis of Minimum Wages Rate of an unskilled worker in Delhi as on date of accident as Rs.8,554/­ per month. 

Number of Dependants

28. PW1/Smt.Guddi,   wife   of   deceased   Hemchander,   in   her   affidavit (Ex.PW1/A) testified that she and her three minor children and parents of the   deceased   (petitioner   Nos.2   to   6)   were   dependent   on   her   deceased husband. PW1/Smt.Guddi has also placed on record photocopies of her Voter I/card (Ex.PW1/1) and that of her parents­in­law (Ex.PW1/4 and Ex.PW1/5 respectively). She has also placed on record Birth Certificates of her children as Ex.PW1/2, Ex.PW1/3 and Ex.PW1/6 respectively. These documents were neither controverted nor challenged by any respondent. In   view   of   the   facts   and   circumstances,  it   can   be   safely   inferred   that petitioner Nos.1 to 6 being the wife, minor children and parents of the deceased are dependent LRs of the deceased.

29. Therefore, for the purpose of present claim petition, petitioner No.1 to 5 are the surviving dependent LRs of the deceased.  Addition in the income towards future prospects

30. This issue was recently considered by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Pranay Sethi & Ors.(Supra). Relevant paras of the judgment are re­produced here as under: 

"58. The seminal issue is the fixation of future prospects in cases of deceased who is self­employed or on a fixed salary. Sarla Verma (supra) has carved out an exception permitting the claimants to bring materials on record to get the benefit of addition of future prospects. It has not, per se, allowed any future prospects in respect of the said category.
59.   Having   bestowed   our   anxious  consideration,  we   are  disposed   to  think when we accept the principle of standardization, there is really no rationale not to apply the said principle to the self­employed or a person who is on a fixed salary. To follow the doctrine of actual income at the time of death and not to add any amount with regard to future prospects to the income for the purpose of determination of multiplicand would be unjust. The determination of income while computing compensation has to include future prospects so that the method will come within the ambit and sweep of just compensation as postulated under Section 168 of the Act. In case of a deceased who had held   a   permanent   job   with   inbuilt   grant   of   annual   increment,   there   is   an acceptable certainty.
But to state that the legal representatives of a deceased who was on a fixed salary would not be entitled to the benefit of future prospects for the purpose of   computation   of   compensation   would   be   inapposite.   It   is   because   the criterion of distinction between the two in that event would be certainty on the   one   hand   and   staticness   on   the   other.   One   may   perceive   that   the comparative measure is certainty on the one hand and uncertainty on the other   but  such  a   perception  is   fallacious.  It  is   because   the  price   rise  does affect a self­employed  person; and  that  apart there is  always  an incessant effort to enhance one's income for sustenance.
The   purchasing   capacity   of   a   salaried   person   on   permanent   job   when increases because of grant of increments and pay revision or for some other change   in   service   conditions,   there   is   always   a   competing   attitude   in   the private   sector   to   enhance   the   salary   to   get   better   efficiency   from   the employees. Similarly, a person who is self­employed is bound to garner his resources and raise his charges/fees so that he can live with same facilities. To have the perception that he is likely to remain static and his income to remain stagnant is contrary to the fundamental concept of human attitude which always intends to live with dynamism and move and change with the time.
Though it may seem appropriate that there cannot be certainty in addition of future prospects to the existing income unlike in the case of a person having a permanent job, yet the said perception does not really deserve acceptance. We   are   inclined   to   think   that   there   can   be   some   degree   of   difference   as regards the percentage that is meant for or applied to in respect of the legal representatives who claim on behalf of the deceased who had a permanent job than a person who is self­employed or on a fixed salary. But not to apply the   principle   of   standardization   on   the   foundation   of   perceived   lack   of certainty would tantamount to remaining oblivious to the marrows of ground reality.
And,   therefore,   degree­test   is   imperative.  Unless   the  degree­test  is   applied and left to the parties to adduce evidence to establish, it would be unfair and inequitable. The degree­test has to have the inbuilt concept of percentage. Taking into consideration the cumulative factors, namely, passage of time, the   changing   society,   escalation   of   price,   the   change   in   price   index,   the human attitude to follow a particular pattern of life, etc., an addition of 40% of   the   established   income   of   the   deceased   towards   future   prospects   and where   the   deceased   was   below   40   years,   an   addition   of   25%   where   the deceased was between the age of 40 to 50 years would be reasonable.
60. The controversy does not end here. The question still remains whether there should be no addition where the age of the deceased is more than 50 years. Sarla Verma thinks it appropriate not to add any amount and the same has been approved in Reshma Kumari. Judicial notice can be taken of the fact that salary does not remain the same. When a person is in a permanent job, there is always an enhancement due to one reason or the other. To lay down as a thumb rule that there will be no addition after 50 years will be an unacceptable concept. We are disposed to think, there should be an addition of 15% if the deceased is between the age of 50 to 60 years and there should be no addition thereafter. Similarly, in case of self­employed or person on fixed salary, the addition should be 10% between the age of 50 to 60   years.   The   aforesaid   yardstick   has   been   fixed   so   that   there   can   be consistency in the approach by the tribunals and the courts." 

31. The view expressed in Pranay Sethi (supra) was also followed in a recent judgment   of   our   own   High   Court  in   MAC   APPEAL   NO.798/2011  titled   as BAJAJ ALLIANZ GENERAL INSURANCE CO.LTD. VS. POOJA & ORS.   decided by Hon'ble Justice R.K. Gauba on 02.11.2017. 

32. In view of the ratio of  Pranay Sethi & Ors. (supra) and Pooja & Ors. (supra),   an   addition   of  40%  of   Rs.8554/­   (calculated   on   the   basis   of minimum wages rate as on the date of the accident) can be made towards future prospects in the income of the deceased Hemchander. Deduction towards personal living expenses of the deceased

33. It is not in dispute that deceased Hemchander was married at the time of accident and that he is survived by five surviving LRs i.e. his wife, three minor children and mother. In judgment of Sarla Verma (supra), it was held as follows: 

"Though   in   some   cases   the   deduction   to   be   made   towards   personal   and   living expenses is calculated on the basis of units indicated in Trilok Chandra, the general practice is to apply standardised deductions. Having considered several subsequent decisions of this 37(2003) 3 SLR (R) 601 31 Court, we are of the view that where the deceased was married, the deduction towards personal and living expenses of the deceased, should be one­third (1/3rd) where the number of dependent family members   is  2   to   3,   one­fourth  (1/4th)   where  the  number  of  dependent   family members is 4 to 6, and one­fifth (1/5th) where the number of dependent family members exceeds six." 

Applying the criteria laid down in the aforecited judgments, deduction in the   income   of   the   deceased   towards   his   personal   and   living   expenses would be 1/4th (one­fourth) of his income.  

Selection of multiplier

34. As   the   age   of   the   deceased   was   25   years   at   the   time   of   the   accident, keeping   in   view   the   criteria   laid   down   in  Sarla   Verma   case   (supra), multiplier   applicable   according   to   age   of   deceased   would   be  18 (eighteen). 

Loss of financial dependency

35. On the basis of facts and circumstances of this case and the material on record,   total   loss   of   financial   dependency   of   the   LRs   of   the   deceased would be: 

Rs.8554   +   (40%   of   Rs.8554)   x   3/4   x   12   x   18   =   19,40,047.20 (rounded off to Rs.19,40,100/­)  Thus, total loss of financial dependency is assessed as Rs.19,40,100/­ (Rupees Nineteen Lakhs Forty Thousand One Hundred).
Compensation under non­pecuniary heads:

36. In the judgment Pranay Sethi & Ors (supra), the Hon'ble Supreme Court did not agree with the view expressed in  RAJESH AND OTHERS VS. RAJBIR SINGH AND OTHERS REPORTED AS (2013)9 SCC 54  and held that reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses should be Rs.15,000/­, Rs.40,000/­ and Rs.15,000/­ respectively. It also observed as under: 

"The principle of revisiting the said heads is an acceptable principle. But the revisit should not be fact­centric or quantum­centric. We think that it would be condign   that   the   amount   that   we   have   quantified   should   be   enhanced   on percentage basis in every three year and the enhancement should be @ 10% in a span of three years." 

37. Accordingly,   petitioners   are   entitled   to   a   sum   of  Rs.15,000/­   (Rupees Fifteen Thousand Only) towards funeral expenses, Rs.40,000/­ (Rupees Forty   Thousand)   as   compensation   towards   loss   of   consortium  and Rs.15,000/­ (Rupees Fifteen Thousand) as compensation towards loss of   estate.   Since   the   deceased   is   survived   by   three   minor   children, Rs.15,000/­ (Rupees Fifteen Thousand) is also granted towards Loss of Love and Affection. 

38. The total compensation is assessed as under: 

      SN      Heads                                           Amount (Rs.)
      1       Loss of Financial Dependency                         19,40,100
      2       Funeral Expenses                                         15,000
      3       Loss of Estate                                           15,000
      4       Loss of Consortium                                       40,000
      5       Loss of Love and Affection                               15,000
                                                  TOTAL            20,25,100


39. Accordingly, total compensation is assessed as Rs.20,25,100/­ (rounded off to Rs.20,25,000/­) (Rupees Twenty Lakhs Twenty Five Thousand only). 

LIABILITY

40. Respondent   No.1/Dharmender   is   liable   to   pay   compensation   being   the driver of the offending vehicle bearing registration No.DL­1LK­5648 as the accident   took   place   due  to   his   rash  and  negligent  driving.   Respondent No.2/Vijay Kumar is vicariously liable for the conduct of the driver, being the owner of the offending vehicle. 

41. It is a proved case that the offending vehicle was duly insured vide Policy No.P0014100021/4103/362457   which   was   valid   from   18.03.2014   till 17.03.2015 including the date of accident i.e. 20.07.2014.  No statutory defence   was   taken   by   respondent   No.3/Insurance   Co.   Therefore, respondent   Nos.1   and   2   are   jointly   and   severally   liable   to   pay compensation to the petitioner. However, since the offending vehicle was duly   insured   to   cover   the   third   party   risk,   respondent   No.3/Insurance company is under the statutory liability to pay the compensation to the petitioner. 

RELIEF

42. In   view   of   above   findings   on   Issues   No.1   &   2,   I   award   an   amount   of Rs.20,25,000/­   (Rupees   Twenty   Lakhs   Twenty   Five   Thousand)  as compensation to the petitioners. Petitioners  are also entitled to interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition i.e. 24.11.2014 till   its   realisation.  Amount   of   Interim   Award,   if   paid   any,   be   deducted from the compensation amount. 

Apportionment 

43. Share of petitioners in the award amount shall be as under: 

     SN Name                                   Relationship with        Share in the award
                                                   deceased                  amount 

     1 Guddi                                         Wife                      45%
     2 Baby Anshi                                 Daughter                     15%
     3 Baby Anisha                                Daughter                     15%
     4 Master Aditya                                  Son                      15%
     5 Smt.Laxmi Devi                              Mother                      10%


    Mode of payment and disbursement

44. Respondent   No.3/Insurance   Company   shall   deposit   the   award   amount within 30 days from the date of Award in the State Bank of India, Tis Hazari Branch, Delhi in the name of the petitioners under intimation to the   petitioners   and   the   Tribunal.   In   default   of   payment   within   the prescribed period, respondent/Insurance Company shall be liable to pay interest @ 12% p.a. for the period of delay till its realisation. 

45. While   making   the   deposit,   Insurance   Company   shall   mention   the particulars of this case, name of the Tribunal and the date of decision on the back side of the cheque. Insurance Company shall also file copy of the award attested by its responsible officer in the bank at the time of deposit. Insurance Company is further directed to place on record proof of deposit of   the   award   amount,   proof   of   delivery   of   notice   to   the   petitioners   in respect of deposit of the award amount and complete details in respect of calculation of interest etc. in the Tribunal within 30 days with effect from today. 

46. Out of  total  award amount of  Rs.20,25,000/­, a  sum  of  Rs.1,25,000/­ (Rupees   One   Lakh   Twenty   Five   Thousand   only),   be   released   to   the petitioners  in   proportion   to   their   shares   mentioned   above, immediately in their savings accounts opened in a nationalised bank near their place of residence. 

47. In order to avoid the compensation money being frittered away, balance amount   of  Rs.19,00,000/­   (Rupees   Nineteen   Lakhs)  as   per   share   of money   as   mentioned   above   would   be   kept   in   FDRs   in   the   following manner in accordance with the order dt. 15.12.2017 passed by HMJ J.R. Midha in SOBAT SINGH VS. RAMESH CHANDRA GUPTA & ANR. 

(i) Rs.8,55,000/­ be kept in 18 FDRs of Rs.47,500/­ each for a period of six months, one year, one & a half years, two years and so on till 09 years in the name petitioner No.1/Smt.Guddi (wife of the deceased).

(ii) Rs.2,85,000/­   be   kept   in   the   FDR   in   the   name   petitioner No.2/Anshi (Daughter of the deceased) which shall be released to her after three years of her attaining the age of majority.  

(iii) Rs.2,85,000/­   be   kept   in   the   FDR   in   the   name   petitioner No.2/Anisha (Daughter of the deceased) which shall be released to her after three years of her attaining the age of majority.  

(iv) Rs.2,85,000/­   be   kept   in   FDR   in   the   name   petitioner No.2/Aditya (Son of the deceased) which shall be released to him after three years of his attaining the age of majority.  

(v) Rs.1,90,000/­ be kept in 04 FDRs of Rs.47,500/­ each for a period of six months, one year, one & a half years and two years in the   name   petitioner   No.5/Smt.Laxmi   Devi   (Mother   of   the deceased).

48. The following conditions are imposed with respect to the fixed deposits: 

(a) The bank shall not permit any joint name(s) to be added in the savings bank account or fixed deposit accounts of the victim i.e. the   savings   bank   account(s)   of   the   claimant(s)   shall   be individual savings bank account(s) and not a joint account(s). 
(b) The original fixed deposits shall be retained by the bank in safe custody. However, the statement containing FDR number, FDR amount,   date   of   maturity   and   maturity   amount   shall   be furnished by bank to the claimant(s). 
(c) The monthly interest be credited by Electronic Clearing System (ECS) in the savings bank account of the claimant(s). 
(d)The maturity amounts of the  FDR(s) be credited by Electronic Clearing   System   (ECS)   in   the   savings   bank   account   of   the claimant(s). 
(e)   No   loan,   advance   or   withdrawal   or   pre­mature   discharge   be allowed on the fixed deposits without permission of the Court. 
(f) The concerned nationalised bank shall not issue any cheque book and/or debit card to claimant(s). However, in case the debit   card   and/or   cheque   book   have   already   been   issued, bank shall cancel the same before the disbursement of the award amount. The bank shall freeze the debit card(s) of the account of the claimant(s) so that no debit card be issued in respect   of   the   account   of   the   claimant(s)   from   any   other branch of the bank. 
(g) The bank shall make an endorsement on the passbook of the claimant(s) to the effect, that no cheque book and/or debit card have been issued and shall not be issued without the permission of the Court and claimant(s) shall produce the passbook with the necessary endorsement   along with their PAN   cards   before   the   Court   on   the   next   date   fixed   for compliance.

49. Copy of the Award be given to the parties free of cost. 

50. Certified Copies of this judgment be sent to DLSA and concerned Learned MM. 

51. Form IVA in accordance with  order dt. 15.12.2017  in  SOBAT SINGH VS. RAMESH CHANDRA GUPTA & ANR.  is annexed with the award in compliance of order of Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.

52. Nazir is directed to prepare a separate file for compliance and be put up on 09.03.2018.

53. File be consigned to Record Room. 

Announced in the open Court on 24th January, 2018 (Hemani Malhotra) Judge, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal­02, West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi FORM­ IV A SUMMARY OF COMPUTATION OF AWARD AMOUNT IN DEATH CASES  TO BE INCORPORATED IN THE AWARD

1. Date of accident 20.07.2014

2. Name of the deceased Hemchander

3. Age of the deceased 25 years

4. Occupation of the deceased Unskilled Worker 

5. Income of the deceased Rs.8,554/­ per month

6. Name , age and relation of legal representatives of deceased:

Sl.                   Name                         Age               Relation 
No.
(i)   Smt.Guddi                                   27 yrs               Wife
(ii) Anshi                                        8 yrs              Daughter 
(iii) Anisha                                      5 yrs              Daughter
(iv) Aditya                                       3 yrs                Son 
(v) Smt.Laxmi Devi                                74 yrs              Mother

                       COMPUTATION OF COMPENSATION

 SN                           Heads                             Awarded by the
                                                                Claim Tribunal
 7. Income of the deceased (A)                                       8,554
 8. Add­Future Prospects (B)                                         3,422
 9. Less­Personal expenses of the deceased (C)                       2994
10. Monthly loss of dependency                                11976­2994=8982
    ( A+B)­C = D
11. Annual Loss of dependency (D X 12)                             1,07,784
12. Multiplier (E)                                                     18
13. Total loss of dependency (D X 12 X E = F)                      19,40,112
14. Medical Expenses (G)
15. Compensation for loss of love and affection (H)                  15,000
 16 Compensation for loss of consortium (I)                  40,000
17. Compensation for loss of  estate (J)                    15,000
18. Compensation towards funeral expenses (K)               15,000
19. Total Compensation (F+G+H+I+J+K = L)                 Rs.20,25,000
20. RATE OF INTEREST AWARDED                                9% p.a.
21. Interest amount up to the date of award (M)          Rs.5,77,125/­
22. Total amount including interest (L+M)                Rs.26,02,125/­
23. Award amount released                                Rs.1,25,000/­
24. Award amount kept in FDRs                            Rs.19,00,000/­
25. Mode of disbursement of the award amount to the          FDRs
    claimant(s). (Clause 29)
26. Next Date for compliance of the award (Clause 31)     09.03.2018




                                       (Hemani Malhotra)
                            Judge, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal­02,
                              West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi