NATIONAL INSURANCE CO. LTD Vs. SATISH KUMAR VERMA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Leave granted.

(2.) We have heard counsel for the appellant ­ National Insurance Company Limited, but there is no appearance despite service on behalf of Satish Kumar Verma and Indira Verma (respondent Nos. 1 and 2), father and mother of the deceased Amol Verma.

(3.) We do not see any justification and ground to interfere with the findings recorded by the High Court of Uttarakhand in adding fellowship of Rs.12,000/- per month to the salary of Rs.3,000/- per month for computing the loss of dependency. The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal had clearly erred in excluding the fellowship component notwithstanding the Annual Income Certificate issued by the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Roorkee, affirming that the deceased was being paid consolidated fellowship as Fellow-'A' (Hydro Power). Notably, late Amol Verma was having an M.Tech degree and was working in one of the most prestigious engineering institutes in the country. Given this background, salary of Rs.3,000/- per month would be ridiculously low. Entire compensation package has to be taken into account. Thus, the High Court was right in computing annual income of the deceased at Rs.3,00,000/- per annum by giving benefit of future prospects. The High Court has also rightly applied the multiplier of seventeen in view of the decision of this Court in M/s. Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Mandala Yadagiri Goud and Others (Civil Appeal No. 6600 of 2015 decided on 9th April 2019.)