Madhu Balal & Ors v. Surender Kumar & Ors

J U D G M E N T G. P. MITTAL, J. (ORAL)

¶1The Appeal is for enhancement of compensation of `4,89,920/- awarded for the death of Narender Kumar who died in a motor vehicle accident which occurred on 02.11.2006.

¶2In the absence of any Appeal by the driver, owner or the Insurer, the finding on negligence has attained finality between the parties.

¶3During inquiry before the Claims Tribunal it was claimed that the deceased was in the business of readymade garments. Deceased had an income of `8,000/- per month from the business of readymade garments. In the absence of any cogent evidence with regard to deceased's business or his income, the Claims Tribunal took the minimum wages of a Matriculate as per his qualification, deducted one-fourth towards personal and living expenses to compute the loss of dependency as `4,39,920/-.

After making an addition of `50,000/- towards non-pecuniary damages, the overall compensation of `4,89,920/- was awarded.

¶4The only ground of challenge raised on behalf of the Appellants is that even in the absence of any evidence with regard to future prospects, the Appellants were entitled to an addition of 30% towards inflation. Reliance is placed on Santosh Devi v. National Insurance Company Ltd. & Ors., 2012 (4) SCALE 559. It is stated that the compensation of `5,000/- towards funeral expenses was on the lower side.

¶5I am in perfect agreement with the contentions raises on behalf of the Appellants. On the basis of the ratio in Santosh Devi, the Appellants were entitled to an addition of 30% in the income of the deceased on the date of his death to compute the loss of dependency.

¶6The loss of dependency thus comes to `5,71,896/- (3760/- + 30% x 3/4 12 x 13).

¶7The compensation awarded towards funeral expenses is raised from ` 5,000/- to ` 10,000/-.

¶8Thus, there is an overall enhancement of `86,976/- which shall carry interest @ 8% per annum from the date of filing of the petition till its payment.

¶9Respondent No.3 the ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Limited is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation along with interest with the Claims Tribunal within six weeks.

¶10Eighty percent of the enhanced compensation shall be payable to the First Appellant whereas 20% shall be payable to Appellant No.4.

¶11The compensation awarded to the First Appellant shall be held in fixed deposit for a period of three years in any Nationalized Bank. The compensation awarded to Appellant No.4 shall be released on deposit.

¶12The Appeal is allowed in above terms.

¶13Pending Applications also stand disposed of.

(G.P. MITTAL) JUDGE OCTOBER 12, 2012 vk

* IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI Date of decision: 12th October, 2012 + SMT. MADHU BALA & ORS. ..... Appellants Through: Mr. S.N. Parashar, Adv. versus SH. SURENDER KUMAR & ORS. .... Respondents Through: Ms. Suman Bagga, Adv. for R-3. CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE G.P.MITTAL