Jhagaru Paswan v. Chandrasekaran

JUDGMENT

This Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is directed as against the award dated 08.09.2025 passed in M.C.O.P.No.595 of 2022, on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, III Court of Small Causes, Chennai.

¶2Briefly stated, on 14.01.2022 at about 23.00 hours when the petitioner was walking through Salem Road-R.P.Pudur, near Kathiaravan Hospital, a Scooty bearing Reg.No.TN-88-H-6693 driven by its driver in a rash and negligent manner and endangering public safety came from behind and hit the petitioner. As a result of the accident, the petitioner sustained grievous injuries. The 1st respondent is the owner 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. Hence, the appellant filed the claim petition for a compensation of Rs.25,00,000/-.

¶3The learned counsel for the 2nd Respondent/ Insurance Company has submitted that the 1st respondent/ vehicle did not have a valid policy at the time of the accident. Therefore, the 2nd respondent is not liable for payment of any compensation to the appellant. The Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.1,67,700/- as compensation. Aggrieved by this, the appellant has preferred the present appeal.

¶4Heard both sides. Records perused.

¶5The 1st respondent did not have a valid driving license at the time of the accident and committed a violation of policy condition, therefore the 2nd respondent need not indemnify the 1st respondent and the 1st respondent is liable to pay compensation to the appellant. Applying the Doctrine of 'Pay and Recover' laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in National Insurance Company Limited Vs. Swaran Singh and Others reported in (2004) 3 SCC 294, this Court confirms that the 2nd respondent is entitled to recover the amount payable from the 1st respondent by filing an execution petition without any separate proceeding.

¶6Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the year of accident and the plight of the claimants, this Court deems it fit to enhance the compensation granted under the head of loss of income as Rs.1,28,000/- (16,000×8). In addition, it seems fit to enhance the amounts awarded under the heads of pain and suffering, extra nourishment, attender charges, transportation and loss of amenities to Rs.75,000/-, Rs.25,000/-, Rs.25,000/-, Rs.25,000/- and Rs.25,000/- respectively. The amount awarded under the heads of disability and medical expenses stands confirmed.

¶7Therefore, 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

¶1Disability 80,000 80,000 Confirmed

¶2Pain and Suffering 20,000 75,000 Enhanced

¶3Extra Nourishment 10,000 25,000 Enhanced

¶4Medical Expenses 27,700 27,700 Confirmed

¶5Attender Charges 10,000 25,000 Enhanced

¶6Loss of Amenities 10,000 25,000 Enhanced

¶7Transportation Charges 10,000 25,000 Enhanced

¶8Loss of Income 32,000 1,28,000 (16,000×8) Enhanced TOTAL 1,67,700/-4,10,700/-Enhanced by 2,43,000/-

¶8As a result of the aforesaid discussion,

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

(ii)The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced to Rs.4,10,700/-.

(iii) The appellant/ claimant is 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.4,10,700/- (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.595 of 2022 on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, III 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 appellant/claimant is not entitled for any interest for the default period in filing the above appeal.

(vi) On such deposit being made, the appellant/ claimant is at liberty to withdraw the same, after following due process of law.

17.02.2026 vsn Index: Yes/No Speaking Order / Non-Speaking Order To:

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

¶2The Section Officer, VR Section, High Court, Madras.

K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI, J. vsn

17.02.2026

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 17.02.2026 CORAM : THE HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE K.GOVINDARAJAN THILAKAVADI Jhagaru Paswan ... Appellant Versus 1. Mr. Chandrasekaran 2. The Manager, SBI General Insurance Co. Ltd., No 82, 3rd Floor, A-Block, Good Sheppard Square Building, Kodambakkam High Road, Chennai – 600 034. ... Respondents PRAYER: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, pleased to enhance the award made in M.C.O.P.No.595 of 2022, dated 08.09.2025, on the file of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, III Court of Small Causes, Chennai. For Appellant : Mr. K. Balaji For R2 : Mr. M.B. Raghavan M/s. M.B. Gopalan Associates R1 – Notice Dispensed With