S.Panjali, v. S.Ravi Kumar,

JUDGMENT

This Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is directed as against the award passed in M.C.O.P.No.5112 of 2023, dated 18.11.2025 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, (II Court of Small Causes), Chennai.

¶2Shortly stated, on 03.07.2023 at about 19.30 pm when the deceased, S.Seenuvasan was standing on the left side of the GST road, near Tambaram-Irumbuliyur Bridge Down, a two wheeler bearing Reg.No.TN-04-AE-5121 driven by its driver in a rash and negligent manner, endangering public safety hit against the deceased. Due to the accident, the deceased sustained multiple head injuries and died on 05.07.2023. The 1st respondent is the owner/driver of the vehicle and the 2nd respondent is the insurer of the vehicle and hence both are jointly and severally liable to pay the compensation to the petitioner with interest and cost. The wife and children of the deceased have filed the claim petition for the death for a compensation of Rs.36,00,000/-.

¶3The learned counsel for the 2nd respondent/Insurance Company resisted the claim petition by stating that the claimants/appellants ought to have produced valid insurance policy, R.C.Book, fitness certificate, permit, badge, driving license, etc., to prove the fact that the deceased died in the alleged accident due to the negligent Act of the driver of the respondent.

¶4The claims Tribunal framed necessary issues and came to the conclusion that the accident took place due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the offending car and awarded compensation of Rs.18,56,680/-. Aggrieved by the quantum of compensation awarded by the Tribunal, the appellants/claimants have preferred this appeal, seeking enhancement.

¶5Mr. K. Balaji, the learned counsel for the appellants/claimants contended that the deceased was the proprietor of M/s. Seenu Tailors, Guduvanchery and was earning a sum of Rs.25,000/- per month, whereas the Tribunal had fixed the notional monthly income of the deceased as Rs.17,600/-, which is very meagre. Hence, he prayed for enhancement of compensation awarded by the claims Tribunal.

6.Per contra, the learned counsel for the 2nd respondent/Insurance Company submitted that the Tribunal, after analysing the oral and documentary evidence, has awarded just compensation, which requires any interference by this Court.

¶7Heard both sides. Records perused.

¶8Though it is claimed by the learned counsel for the appellant that the deceased was earning a sum of Rs.25,000/- per month, no documentary evidence was filed by the appellant for proof of income. In these circumstances, the Tribunal had fixed the notional monthly income of the deceased at Rs.17,600/-. However, considering the year of accident, this Court deems it fit to fix the income of the deceased at Rs.20,000/- per month. Since the age of the deceased at the time of accident was 54, the proper multiplier would be 11, future prospects should be taken at 10% and 2/3rd is deducted towards his personal expenses. Hence, the loss of dependency is calculated as under: Calculation Notional Income = Rs.20,000/- 10% Future prospects = Rs.2,000/- After 2/3 deduction = Rs.14,667/- Loss of Dependency = Rs.14,667×12×11 = Rs.19,36,000/- The head of loss of consortium is also enhanced to Rs.1,32,000 (44,000×3), while the other heads awarded by the tribunal is found to be just compensation and the same is upheld.

¶9Therefore, this Court finds it reasonable to enhance the compensation under the various heads, which are as follows: S.No. Description Amount awarded by Tribunal (Rs.) Amount awarded by this Court (Rs.) Award confirmed or enhanced or granted

¶1Loss of Dependency 17,03,680 19,36,000 Enhanced

¶2Loss of Consortium 1,20,000 1,32,000 Enhanced

¶3Loss of Estate 16,500 16,500 Confirmed

¶4Funeral Expenses 16,500 16,500 Confirmed TOTAL 18,56,680/-21,01,000/-Enhanced by Rs.2,44,320/-

¶10In the result,

(i) The present appeal is partly allowed. No costs.

(ii) The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced to Rs.21,01,000/-.

(iii) The appellants/claimants are directed to pay additional court fee for the enhanced compensation amount, if any, and the Registry is directed to draft the decree only after receipt of additional court fee.

(iv) The 2nd respondent/Insurance Company is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation amount of Rs.21,01,000/- (less the amount already deposited) together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of claim petition till the date of deposit to the credit of M.C.O.P.No.5112 of 2023, dated

18.11.2025 on the file of the on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, (II Court of Small Causes), Chennai, within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order/uploading of this order.

(v) The appellants/claimants are not entitled for any interest for the default period in filing the above appeal.

(vi) The compensation now awarded by this Court shall be shared among the appellants/claimants as per the apportionment granted by the Tribunal.

(vii) On such deposit being made, the appellants/claimants are at liberty to withdraw the same, after following due process of law.

24.02.2026 vsn Index: Yes/No Speaking Order / Non-Speaking Order To:

¶1The II Judge, Court of Small Causes, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai.

¶2The Section Officer, V.R. Section, High Court, Madras.

K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI, J. vsn

24.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 24.02.2026 CORAM: THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI 1. S. Panjali 2. S. Sharmila 3. S. Kousalya ... Appellants Vs. 1. S. Ravikumar 2. ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company Ltd., Arihant Plaza, No. 84 & 85, Wall Tax Road, Chennai – 600 003. ... Respondents PRAYER: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, pleased to enhance the award made in M.C.O.P.No.5112 of 2023, dated 18.11.2025, on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (II Court of Small Causes), Chennai. For Appellants : Mr. K. Balaji For R2 : Mr. B. Sivakollapan R1 – Notice Dispensed with.