ORIENTAL INSURANCECO LTD Vs. SHADI RAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) All appeals have been filed against a common judgment and award dated 1/8/1995 passed by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Tehri Garhwal.

(3.) Briefly stated the facts giving rise to the present appeals are that respondents- claimants have filed as many as 21 claim petitions registered as M.A.C. Case Nos. 10 to 31 of 1989 for grant of compensation on account of injuries sustained by the claimants and also on account of death of some of the passengers travelling by bus No. URM 8612 involved in the accident. Petitioners have alleged that on 30.11.1988 bus No. URM 8612 was started from Moridhar for going to Uttarkashi. The bus was carrying a marriage party. At about 2.15 p.m. when the bus reached near Jadipani, it met with accident and rolled into a khad. All the passengers travelling by the bus sustained injuries in the accident out of which five passengers succumbed to the injuries sustained. The owner of the bus was Rukamani Devi and the bus was comprehensively insured with the appellant. The claimants have stated that the accident took place due to rash and negligent driving by the bus driver.