Kattabomman Transport Corporation vs Vellai Duraichi on 30 January, 2004
As rightly observed
in the other Division Bench decision, namely, M. Anandavalli Amma v. Arvind
Eye Hospital (2002-3 L.W. 710), unless there is evidence to prove that the
accident took place only because of such act that is taking/travelling more
persons in a motor cycle which resulted in an accident, the owner of the other
vehicle and its insurer will be liable to pay compensation. To put it clear,
if the appellant-Transport Corporation is able to prove that it is because of
the addition of one more (third person in the motor cycle instead of two), the
accident occurred, the position would be different. In other words, unless
the owner of the vehicle or the Insurance Company is able to prove that the
accident took place only because of such act that is taking more persons than
the prescribed number, the owner/ Insurance Company will be liable to make
good the loss/compensation. In the case on hand the materials placed before
the Tribunal show that it was the bus driver who had gone to the other side of
the road, hit the motor cycle thereby caused the accident. There is no
evidence to show that the accident occurred because of travelling of three
persons in the motor cycle. In the light of the above said conclusion, we
reject the contra argument made by the learned counsel for the appellant.