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[Cites 17, Cited by 0]

Delhi District Court

Sn vs Maman Singh & Ors. Decided By on 6 January, 2018

                                         1

           IN THE COURT OF MS. HEMANI MALHOTRA, JUDGE, 
         MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL­02, WEST DISTRICT,
                        TIS HAZARI COURTS, DELHI
Petition Nos.: 77080/2016 and 77122/2016
FIR No.233/14
PS Pilkhwa, U.P.
U/s 279/337/338/304A/427 IPC
CLAIM PETITION NO.77080/2016
SN               Petitioner(s)                  Respondent(s)
1.    Smt.Shakunlta Devi                        Hycent G.Chand 
      W/o Late Sh.Shiv Hari                     S/o Sh.Beni Prakash
      (Mother of Deceased Dal Chand @           R/o 144, Christian Nagar, Bagoo, 
      Vijay Kumar)                              Vijay Nagar, Distt.Ghaziabad, U.P.

                                                Owner of offending vehicle bearing
                                                temporary   registration   No.   UP­16­
                                                CT­0434 (EECO Car)
2.   Master   Gaurav   S/o   Late   Sh.Dal      National Insurance Company Ltd.
     Chand                                      (Insurer)
     (Son of Deceased Dal Chand)
     Both R/o:                                  Policy   No.35101031146134882235
     D­526,   Camp   No.2,   Nangloi,   J.J.    valid   from   28.04.2014   till
     Colony, Delhi­110041                       27.04.2015
CLAIM PETITION NO. 77122/2016
SN           Name of Petitioner                 Name of respondents
      Master   Gaurav   S/o   Late   Sh.Dal     Hycent G.Chand 
      Chand                                     S/o Sh.Beni Prakash
      (Son of Deceased Rinki)                   R/o 144, Christian Nagar, Bagoo, 
      Through   his   grandmother/guardian      Vijay Nagar, Distt.Ghaziabad, U.P.
      Smt.Shakuntla Devi 
      R/o:                                Owner of offending vehicle bearing
                                          temporary   registration   No.   UP­16­
      D­526,   Camp   No.2,   Nangloi,   J.J.
      Colony, Delhi­110041                CT­0434 (EECO Car)
                                          National Insurance Company Ltd.
                                          (Insurer)
                                          Policy   No.35101031146134882235
                                          valid   from   28.04.2014   till
                                          27.04.2015
            Date of Institution                             : 07.07.2014
            Date of conclusion of arguments                 : 15.12.2017
            Date of pronouncement of judgment/award         : 06.01.2018
                                              2


AWARD

1. By   this   common   award,   I   shall   dispose   of   two   claim   petitions   bearing Nos.77080/2016 and 77122/2016 filed under the provisions of 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (M.V. Act) since they arise from the same vehicular   accident   that   took   place   at   about   5:00   AM   on   28.05.2014 opposite   police   post   Sajarsi,   PS   Pilkhwa,   Distt.Hapur,   U.P.   in   which deceased Dal Chand and his wife Rinki sustained fatal injuries. An  FIR No.233/14, under Sections 279/337/338/304A/427 IPC was registered at Police   Station   Pilkhwa,   Distt.Hapur,   U.P.   against   Hycent   G.Chand, Respondent No.1 (owner) of EECO car bearing registration No.UP­16­CT­ 0434 (offending vehicle).

2. Brief facts of the vehicular accident as averred in the Claim Petitions are that at about 5:00 am on 28.05.2014, deceased persons along with their relatives were coming to Delhi from Garh Shanker in the offending vehicle i.e. ECCO car bearing registration No.UP­16­CT­0434. When the offending vehicle   reached   opposite   Police   Post   Sagarsi,   PS   Pilkhwa,   Distt.Hapur, U.P., the driver of the offending vehicle could not control the car due to high speed and rash and negligent driving and hit it behind a truck with force. Resultantly, the car got crushed and deceased Dal Chand received serious   injuries   and   Rinki   received   fatal   injuries.   They   were   initially removed   to   Rama   Medical   College,   Ghaziabad,   U.P.   where   Rinki   was declared   "brought   dead"   and   Dal   Chand   was   shifted   to   Safdarjung Hospital   where   he   succumbed   to   his   injuries   on   01.06.2014.   Even   the driver died in the accident. 

3. In the Written statement filed by respondent No.1/owner, it was admitted that   the   offending   vehicle   was   insured   with   respondent   No.2/National Insurance Co. 

4. In   the   Written   Statement   filed   by   respondent   No.2/National   Insurance Company,  it  was  claimed   that  the   offending  vehicle   was  plying  on   the 3 road against the terms and conditions of the policy. The seating capacity of the vehicle was seven whereas, as per the contents of the FIR, 14 people were travelling in the vehicle. Hence, respondent No.2 was not liable to indemnify the insured as he had violated  the terms and conditions of the policy.  

5. From   the   pleadings   of   the   parties,   contentions   raised   and   material   on record,   in  Claim   Petition   No.77080/2016,   the   following   issues   were framed by Learned Predecessor vide order dated 22.11.2014: 

ISSUES (1) Whether the deceased suffered fatal injuries in an accident that took   place   on   28.05.2014   at   about   5   am   involving   car   bearing No.UP­16­CT­0434   driven   by   Sh.Harveer   (died   in   the   accident), owned   by   respondent   No.1   and   insured   with   respondent No.2/Insurance Company?OPP (2)Whether   the   petitioner   is   entitled   for   compensation?   If   so,   to what amount and from whom?
(3)Relief.

6. In  Claim Petition No.77122/2016, the following issues were framed by Learned Predecessor vide order dated 22.11.2014: 

ISSUES (1) Whether the deceased suffered fatal injuries in an accident that took   place   on   28.05.2014   at   about   5   am   involving   car   bearing No.UP­16­CT­0434   driven   by   Sh.Harveer   (died   in   the   accident), owned   by   respondent   No.1   and   insured   with   respondent No.2/Insurance Company?OPP (2)Whether   the   petitioner   is   entitled   for   compensation?   If   so,   to what amount and from whom?
(3)Relief.

7. In order to establish their claim, Shakuntla Devi, petitioner No.1 in claim petition No.77080/16 and legal guardian of petitioner Master Gaurav in claim petition No.77122/16 examined herself as PW1.

8. No   witness   was   examined   by   the   respondents   despite   being   given opportunity. 

9. I have heard the arguments addressed by learned Counsels for the parties 4 and have meticulously gone through the testimonies of the witnesses as well as the court record. 

10. My issue­wise findings are as follows:

CLAIM PETITION NO.77122/2016 Issue No.1 Whether the deceased (Dal Chand @ Vijay) suffered fatal injuries in an accident that took place on 28.05.2014 at about 5 am involving car bearing No.UP­16­CT­0434 driven by Sh.Harveer (died in the accident), owned by respondent No.1 and insured with respondent No.2/Insurance Company?OPP CLAIM PETITION NO.77080/2016 Issue No.1 Whether the deceased (Rinki) suffered fatal injuries in an accident that took place on 28.05.2014 at about 5 am involving car bearing No.UP­16­CT­0434   driven   by   Sh.Harveer   (died   in   the   accident), owned   by   respondent   No.1   and   insured   with   respondent No.2/Insurance Company?OPP

11. In claim petition filed by LRs of deceased for compensation u/s 163A of M.V. Act, the petitioners are not required to plead or establish that the death in respect of which claim has been made, was due to any wrongful act   or   negligence   of   the   driver/owner   of   the   vehicle   or   for   any   other reason. They need to prove only the involvement/use of the vehicle in the accident to claim compensation against the owner and insurer, according to the second schedule of the Motor Vehicles Act

12. Smt.Shakuntla Devi examined herself as PW1 and in her evidence by way of affidavit (Ex.PW1/A), she narrated the entire sequence of events which led to the accident and consequent death of Dal Chand and Rinki. Since the   accident   took   place   outside   Delhi,   PW1/Shakuntla   Devi   placed   on record certified copies of FIR, charge­sheet, post­mortem report, site plan etc. As FIR No.233/14 was registered at PS Pilkhwa, U.P. regarding the present  accident,  the   same   establishes  the   use   of   offending  vehicle   i.e. 5 ECCO   car   bearing   No.  UP­16­CT­0434  in   the   vehicular   accident   dated 28.05.2014.  Hence,  this issue is decided in favour of the petitioners and against the respondents. 

 FINDINGS ON ISSUE NO.2   In Claim Petition No.77080/16  Whether the petitioner is entitled for compensation? If so, to what amount and from whom?

In Claim Petition No.77122/16  Whether the petitioner is entitled for compensation? If so, to what amount and from whom?

13. Since the Issue No.1 is decided in favour of the petitioners in both the claim petitions, they are held entitled for compensation. 

14. In the present claim petitions, the compensation is to be assessed on the basis   of   structured   formula   given   in   second   schedule   of   M.V.   Act depending upon the following parameters:­   COMPENSATION IN  CLAIM PETITION NO.77080/16  Age of deceased Dal Chand

15. PW1/Shakuntla  Devi  in  her  affidavit  (Ex.PW1/A)  has placed  on  record Aadhaar   card   (Ex.PW1/1)   of   deceased   Dal   Chand.   As   per   Ex.PW1/1, deceased   Lal   Chand   was   aged   35   years   at   the   time   of   accident.   This document   has   neither   been   challanged   nor   controverted   by   the respondents. Accident took place on 28.05.2014. Accordingly, the age of the deceased Dal Chand was 35 years at the time of accident.  Income of deceased Dal Chand   

16. It was claimed by PW1/Shakuntla Devi in her affidavit (Ex.PW1/A1) that at the time of the accident, her son deceased Dal Chand @ Vijay Kumar was   earning   Rs.40,000/­   per   annum.   Since   in   the   claim   under   section 163A   M.V.   Act,   the   annual   income   of   deceased   should   not   exceed Rs.40,000/­ per annum, I hereby treat the annual income of the deceased as Rs.40,000/­ per annum. 

6

Number of Dependants

17. Petitioner  No.1  Shakuntla  Devi  is  the   mother   deceased   Dal   Chand  and petitioner No.2 is the minor son of deceased Dal Chand. It is not in dispute that in vehicular accident dated 28.05.2014, petitioner No.2 lost both his parents i.e. father/Dal Chand and mother/Rinki. Hence, petitioner No.1 is not only the grandmother of petitioner No.2 Master Gaurav but also his natural guardian. On the date of the accident, as per the Aadhaar Cards of petitioners, petitioner No.1 was aged about 54 years and the minor son i.e. Master Gaurav was aged about one year.  Considering the age of the petitioners, both the petitioners are held dependant LRs of the deceased.  Addition in the income towards future prospects

18. In  ORIENTAL   INSURANCE   CO.LTD   VS.   MAMAN   SINGH   &   ORS.   decided   by HON'BLE   MR.JUSTICE   R.K.   GAUBA   ON   06.11.2017 ,   the   Hon'ble   high   Court relied   upon   the   judgment   of   the  CONSTITUTION   BENCH   OF   HON'BLE SUPREME COURT which was rendered on 31.10.2017 in  SLP (C) 25590/2014, TITLED   AS   NATIONAL   INSURANCE   CO.LTD.   VS.   PRANAY   SETHI   &   ORS.   with respect to computing future prospects in a case under Section 163A of Motor Vehicles Act. The Hon'ble High Court observed as under:

"The claimants had not been able to prove the regular income of the deceased and,   therefore,   the   tribunal   was   constrained   to   go   by   the   minimum   wages (Rs.2579   p.m.).   The   decision   in   Pranay   Sethi   (supra)   makes   no   distinction between   a   claim   under   Section   166   or   one   under   Section   163­A   of   Motor Vehicles Act for assessing the income. Since the element of future prospects of increase would deserve to be added to the extent of 40% in view of the ruling in Pranay Sethi (supra), and suitable corrections also needs to be made on the issue of multiplier, per the ruling in Sarla Verma & Ors. v. Delhi Transport Corporation & Anr., (2009) 6 SCC 121 and the dispensation in second schedule appended to the   Motor   Vehicles   Act,   1988,   the   multiplier   (17)   requiring   to   be   chosen according   to   the   age   of   the   deceased,   the   loss   of   dependency   has   to   be recomputed. In terms of the second schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the deduction of one­third is to be made on account of the personal and living expenses.   Therefore,   the   loss   of   dependency   is   recomputed   as   [Rs.2,579/­   x 140/100 x 2/3 x 12 x17] Rs.4,91,041.60, rounded off to Rs.4,91,042/­ (Rupees Four Lakh ninty one thousand and forty two only). Following the dispensation in Pranay   Sethi   (supra),   the   awards   under   the   non­pecuniary   heads   of   funeral expenses and loss to estate at Rs.15,000/­ are added."

19. In   view   of   the   ratio   of  aforecited   judgments,   an   addition   of  40%  of Rs.40,000/­ per annum shall be added towards future prospects in the 7 income of the deceased Dal Cahnd.

Deduction towards personal living expenses of deceased

20. According to the Second Schedule u/s 163 A of M.V. Act, irrespective of number of dependants and other factors,  one­third (1/3)  income of the deceased is required to be deducted towards his personal expenses.  Selection of multiplier

21. Age   of   deceased   Dal   Chand   was   35   years   at   the   time   of   accident. Therefore, as per the second schedule u/s 163A of M.V. Act,  multiplier applicable to the present claim petition would be 17.  Loss of financial dependency 

22. Considering the facts of the petition and the evidence on record, total loss of financial dependency of the petitioners would be as follows:

Rs.40,000 + (40% of 40,000) x 2/3 x 17 = Rs. 6,34,666.67 (rounded off to Rs.6,34,700/­) Compensation under Non­pecuniary (General Damages)

23. In   accordance   with   the   aforecited   judgments,   the   petitioners   are   also entitled   to   Rs.40,000/­   (Rupees   Forty   Thousand)   towards   Love   and Affection;   Rs.15,000/­   (Rupees   Fifteen   Thousand)   towards   funeral expenses and Rs.15,000/­ (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred) towards loss of estate. 

COMPUTATION OF COMPENSATION IN CLAIM PETITION NO.77080/16

24. The total compensation is assessed as under: 

      SN     Heads                                          Amount (Rs.)
      1      Loss of Financial Dependency                          6,34,700
      2      Love and affection                                      40,000
      3      Funeral Expenses                                        15,000
      4      Loss of Estate                                          15,000
                                                 TOTAL            7,04,700


Hence, a total compensation is assessed as Rs.7,04,700/­ (rounded off to 8 Rs.7,05,000/­) (Rupees Seven Lakhs and Five Thousand). 

 COMPENSATION IN  CLAIM PETITION NO.77122/16  Age of deceased Rinki

25. PW1/Shakuntla Devi in  her  affidavit (Ex.PW1/A) has  deposed  that her deceased daughter­in­law and wife of deceased Dal Chand was aged about 23 years at the time of accident. In her cross­examination, PW1/Shakuntla Devi has admitted that she has not placed on record any documentary proof regarding the age of her deceased daughter­in­law Rinki. However, certified copy of post­mortem report filed on record on 02.09.2016, shows that the deceased Rinki was aged about 23 years. 

Income of deceased Rinki

26. It was claimed by PW1/Shakuntla Devi in her affidavit (Ex.PW1/A1) that at   the   time   of   the   accident,   her   daughter­in­law   deceased   Rinki   was earning Rs.40,000/­ per annum. Since in a claim under section 163A M.V. Act, the  annual income of deceased should not exceed Rs.40,000/­ per annum, the annual income of the deceased is treated as Rs.40,000/­ per annum. 

Number of Dependants

27. As   already   discussed   in   preceding   paragraph   (in   claim   petition No.77080/16)   that   petitioner   Master   Gaurav   lost   both   his   parents   i.e. father/Dal   Chand   and   mother/Rinki   in   vehicular   accident   dated 28.05.2014   and   that   he   was   the   only   child   of   the   deceased   persons. Hence, petitioner Master Gaurav is held to be the only dependant LR of deceased Rinki.

Addition in the income towards future prospects

28. In  ORIENTAL   INSURANCE   CO.LTD   VS.   MAMAN   SINGH   &   ORS.   decided   by HON'BLE   MR.JUSTICE   R.K.   GAUBA   ON   06.11.2017 ,   the   Hon'ble   high   Court relied   upon   the   judgment   of   the  CONSTITUTION   BENCH   OF   HON'BLE SUPREME COURT which was rendered on 31.10.2017 in  SLP (C) 25590/2014, 9 TITLED   AS   NATIONAL   INSURANCE   CO.LTD.   VS.   PRANAY   SETHI   &   ORS.   with respect to computing future prospects in a case under Section 163A of Motor Vehicles Act. The Hon'ble High Court observed as under:

"The claimants had not been able to prove the regular income of the deceased and,   therefore,   the   tribunal   was   constrained   to   go   by   the   minimum   wages (Rs.2579   p.m.).   The   decision   in   Pranay   Sethi   (supra)   makes   no   distinction between   a   claim   under   Section   166   or   one   under   Section   163­A   of   Motor Vehicles Act for assessing the income. Since the element of future prospects of increase would deserve to be added to the extent of 40% in view of the ruling in Pranay Sethi (supra), and suitable corrections also needs to be made on the issue of multiplier, per the ruling in Sarla Verma & Ors. v. Delhi Transport Corporation & Anr., (2009) 6 SCC 121 and the dispensation in second schedule appended to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the multiplier (17) requiring to be chosen according to the age of the deceased, the loss of dependency has to be recomputed. In terms of the second schedule to the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, the deduction of one­third is to be made on account of the personal and living expenses.   Therefore,   the   loss   of   dependency   is   recomputed   as   [Rs.2,579/­   x 140/100   x   2/3   x   12   x17]   Rs.4,91,041.60,   rounded   off   to   Rs.4,91,042/­ (Rupees   Four   Lakh   ninty   one   thousand   and   forty   two   only).   Following   the dispensation   in   Pranay   Sethi   (supra),   the   awards   under   the   non­pecuniary heads of funeral expenses and loss to estate at Rs.15,000/­ are added."

29. In   view   of   the   ratio   of  aforecited   judgments,   an   addition   of  40%  of Rs.40,000/­ per annum shall be added towards future prospects in the income of the deceased Rinki.

Deduction towards personal living expenses of deceased

30. According to the Second Schedule u/s 163 A of M.V. Act, irrespective of number of dependants and other factors,  one­third (1/3)  income of the deceased is required to be deducted towards her personal expenses.  Selection of multiplier

31. As already discussed, age of deceased Rinki was 23 years at the time of the accident, therefore, according to second schedule u/s 163A of M.V. Act, multiplier applicable to the present claim petition would be 17.  Loss of financial dependency 

32. Considering the facts of the petition and the evidence on record, total loss of financial dependency of the petitioners would be as follows:

Rs.40,000 + (40% of 40,000) x 2/3 x 17 = Rs. 6,34,666.67 (rounded off to Rs.6,34,700/­) 10 Compensation under Non­pecuniary (General Damages)

33. In accordance with the aforecited judgments, the petitioner is also entitled to   Rs.40,000/­   (Rupees   Forty   Thousand)   towards   Love   and   Affection; Rs.15,000/­   (Rupees   Fifteen   Thousand)   towards   funeral   expenses   and Rs.15,000/­ (Rupees Two Thousand Five Hundred) towards loss of estate.  COMPUTATION OF COMPENSATION IN CLAIM PETITION NO.77080/16

34. The total compensation is assessed as under: 

      SN    Heads                                            Amount (Rs.)
      1     Loss of Financial Dependency                           6,34,700
      2     Love and affection                                       40,000
      3     Funeral Expenses                                         15,000
      4     Loss of Estate                                           15,000
                                                 TOTAL             7,04,700

Hence, a total compensation is assessed as Rs.7,04,700/­ (rounded off to Rs.7,05,000/­) (Rupees Seven Lakhs and Five Thousand). 

LIABILITY

35. It was argued on behalf of respondent No.2/National Insurance Company that the offending vehicle was plying on the road against the terms and conditions of the  policy. The  seating capacity  of  the  vehicle was seven whereas, as per the contents of the FIR, 14 people were travelling in the vehicle. Hence, respondent No.2 was not liable to indemnify the insured in violation of the terms and conditions of the policy.

36. Admittedly, respondent No.2/Insurance Co. has not led any evidence to prove that the overloading was the cause of accident. In order to avoid liability, the Insurer was under legal obligation to prove that the cause of accident   was   overloading.   In  B.V.   NAGARAJU   VS.   ORIENTAL   INSURANCE CO.LTD.  reported   as  1996   ACJ   1178,   it   has   been   held   by   the   Hon'ble Supreme Court that mere carrying more passengers in a vehicle cannot be said to be a fundamental breach and the insurer cannot use the same as a 11 weapon   for  avoiding   liability.  Similarly,   in   STATE   OF   MAHARASHTRA   VS. NANDED PARBHANI, Z.I.B.M.V.OPERATOR SANGH reported as 2000 (I) ACC 290, it   was   observed   by   Hon'ble   Supreme   Court   that   carrying   of   more passengers is not a violation and cannot be said that the vehicle came to be used for different purpose other than permitted by the Route Permit and   Registration   Certificate.   The   ratio   of   the   aforesaid   judgments   was further   followed   by   various   High   Courts.   In   a   case   titled   as   NATIONAL INSURANCE CO.LTD. VS. REENA DEVI AND ORS.  reported as 2006 (I) ACJR 571, the Hon'ble High Court of Himachal Pradesh held as follows: 

"Whether carrying of passengers more than the prescribed or permitted seating capacity is a ground, which can be taken by an insurer to absolve itself of its liability to pay has to be decided only with reference to the conditions finding a mention in Clauses (a) and (b) of Sub­section (2) of Section 149 of the Act. The legislature   has   very   advisedly   limited   the   grounds   of   defences   only   to   such breaches   of  specified   conditions  of  the  policy   which   the  legislature  itself   has mentioned in Clause (a) and (b) of Sub­section (2) of Section 149 of the Act. In Clause   (a),   there   are   as   many   as   four   situations   which   are   related   to   a condition excluding the use of vehicle as well as the condition excluding the driving   of   the   vehicle   by   an   unauthorized   person   or   a   condition   excluding liability for the injury caused or contributed by conditions of war, civil war, riot or civil commotion. Similarly, in Clause (b), the legislature has advisedly laid down and prescribed that an insurer is entitled to defend the action if the policy of insurance is void on the ground that it was obtained by non­disclosure of a material fact or by representation of a fact which was false in any material particular. It is, therefore, manifestly clear that the overloading of Bus even though it might be a breach of a condition of the registration certificate or the route permit, yet cannot be made the basis of a defence by an insurer because such a breach does not find any mention in either Clause (a) or Clause (b) of Sub­section   (2)   of   Section   149   of   the   Act.   By   now,   through   a   catena   of pronouncements   of   law   by   various   judgments   of   the   Apex   Court   it   has conclusively been established that an insurer is entitled to avoid its liability to pay only if its defence fall within the ambit of Sub­section (2) of Section 149 of the Act and that an insurer, otherwise then by Section 170 of the Act, cannot be permitted to traverse beyond these limited defences available to it under Section 149(2) of the Act."

37. In view of the ratios of the aforesaid judgments, I am of the considered view   that   the   offending   vehicle   was   used   as   passenger   vehicle   at   the relevant point of time and not for different use other than specified and permitted, therefore, merely because the offending vehicle was allegedly carrying more passengers than permitted, the insurer cannot escape from its liability. 

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38. Since,   it   is   admitted   by   respondent   No.2/National  Insurance   Company that   the   offending   vehicle  bearing   Registration   No.UP­16­CT­0434  was duly   insured   vide   Policy  No.35101031146134882235   valid   from 28.04.2014 till 27.04.2015, including the date of accident i.e. 28.05.2014, therefore,   both   the   respondents   are   jointly   and   severally   liable   to   pay compensation   to   the   petitioner(s)  in   claim   petitions   bearing   numbers 77080/16   and   77122/16.   However,   since   the   offending   vehicle   was insured to cover the third party risk, respondent No.2/Insurance Co. is under the statutory liability to pay the award amount to the petitioner(s).

RELIEF In Claim petition No.77080/16

39. In view of my above findings on Issue Nos. 1 & 2, I award an amount of Rs.7,05,000/­(Rupees   Seven   Lakhs   and   Five   Thousand)  as compensation   to   both   the   petitioners.   Petitioners   are   also   entitled   to interest   @   9%   per   annum   from   the   date   of   filing   of  petition   i.e. 07.07.2014  till   realisation.  Amount   of   Interim   Award,   if   paid   any,   be deducted from the compensation amount. 

Apportionment 

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

SN Name of petitioners Relationship with deceased  Share in the award  amount 1 Smt.Shakuntla Devi Mother 60% 2 Master Gaurav Son 40% In Claim petition No.77122/16

41. In view of my above findings on Issue Nos. 1 & 2, I award an amount of Rs.7,05,000/­(Rupees   Seven   Lakhs   and   Five   Thousand)  as 13 compensation to the petitioner Master Gaurav. Petitioner is also entitled to   interest   @   9%   per   annum   from   the   date   of   filing   of  petition   i.e. 07.07.2014  till   realisation.   Amount   of   Interim   Award,   if   paid   any,   be deducted from the compensation amount. 

MODE OF PAYMENT AND DISBURSEMENT  In Claim Petition No .77080/16

42. Respondent   No.2/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 petitioner(s) under intimation to the   petitioner(s)   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. 

43. 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. 

44. Out   of   total   award   amount   of   Rs.7,05,000/­,   deposited   by   Respondent No.2/Insurance   company,   a   sum   of  Rs.1,05,000/­   (Rupees   One   Lakh Five   Thousand   only),   shall  be   released   to   petitioner   Shakuntla   Devi immediately  in the savings bank account to be opened by her with SBI, Tis Hazari Branch. 

45. Manager of the Bank shall comply and release the award amount to the 14 petitioners in terms of the Award. 

46. In order to avoid the compensation money being frittered away, balance amount   of  Rs.6,00,000/­   (Rupees   Six   Lakhs   only)  share   of   money mentioned   above   would   be   kept   in   FDRs   in   the   following   manner   in accordance with the order dt. 13.02.2017 passed by Hon'ble Mr.Justice J.R. Midha in Rajesh Tyagi & Ors. Vs. Jasbir Singh & Ors. :­ 

(i) Rs.3,60,000/­ be kept in 36 FDRs of Rs.10,000/­ each in the   name   petitioner   No.1/Shakuntla   Devi   (mother   of   the deceased) for the periods 1 month to 36 months respectively with cumulative interest.

(ii) Entire share money of the petitioner No.2/Master Gaurav (minor   son   of   the   deceased)   amounting   to   Rs.2,40,000/­, would be kept in one FDR which shall be released to him after three years of his attaining the age of majority. 

47. No loan, advance or pre­mature discharge shall be permitted without the permission of this Court. The minor petitioner can, however, withdraw the interest quarterly through his natural guardian/grandmother. The interest amount  be  released   to  the  minor   petitioner  as per  aforesaid  direction accordingly. 

48. All the original FDRs shall remain with State Bank of India, Tis Hazari Branch. However, the statement containing FDR numbers, FDR amount, date of maturity and maturity amount shall be furnished by State Bank of India to the petitioner(s). 

49. No  Cheque   book   and  debit   card  will   be  issued  by  the  SBI  qua  the account(s)   opened   by   the   petitioner(s).   The   petitioner(s)   shall   be entitled to withdraw the money through withdrawal slips only. 

50. The maturity amounts of the FDRs be released to the petitioner Shakuntla Devi   in   her   savings   bank   accounts   in   State   Bank   of   India,   Tis   Hazari Branch.

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In Claim Petition No.77122/2016

51. Respondent   No.2/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 petitioner under intimation to the petitioner and the Tribunal. In default of payment within the prescribed period,   Respondent   No.2/Insurance   Company   shall   be   liable   to   pay   a penal interest @ 12% p.a. for the period of delay till its realisation. 

52. 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   natural guardian/grandmother of Master Gaurav/petitioner 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. 

53. In   order   to   avoid   the   compensation   money   being   frittered   away,  the entire amount awarded to minor petitioner Master Gaurav shall be kept   in   a   FDR  in   State   Bank   of   India,   Tis   Hazari   Branch   and   to   be released to him three years after his attaining the age of majority. 

54. No loan, advance or pre­mature discharge shall be permitted without the permission of this Court. The minor petitioner can, however, withdraw the interest quarterly through his natural guardian/grandmother. The interest 0amount be released to the  minor  petitioner  as per aforesaid direction accordingly. 

55. All the original FDRs shall remain with State Bank of India, Tis Hazari Branch. However, the statement containing FDR numbers, FDR amount, date of maturity and maturity amount shall be furnished by State Bank of India to the petitioner. 

56. No  Cheque   book   and  debit   card  will   be  issued  by  the  SBI  qua  the 16 account(s) opened by the petitioners. The petitioners shall be entitled to withdraw the money through withdrawal slips only. 

57. The maturity amounts of the  FDRs be released to the  petitioner in the savings bank accounts opened by through his grandmother in State Bank of India, Tis Hazari Branch.

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

59. Nazir is directed to prepare a separate file for compliance and be put up on 08.02.2018. 

File be consigned to Record Room. 

Announced in the open Court on 6th January, 2018 (Hemani Malhotra) Judge, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal­02, West District, Tis Hazari Courts, Delhi