S.PUGAZHENDHI Vs. GOVERNMENT OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) It is the case of the petitioner that while serving as Driver in the Government Hospital, Mayiladuthurai, on 19.8.08 the petitioner, being the driver of the Ambulance van, was directed to take a patient from Ananthanallur in the van bearing Regn. No. TN-51-G-0315 to the Thanjavur Medical College Hospital in the night hours for further treatment.

(2.) The petitioner, while completed the assignment given to him by his superiors, however, on the return trip, the van driven by the petitioner met with an accident at Narasingampettai Village at about 3.30 a.m. on the early morning hours of 20.8.08 in which the relatives of the patient and others suffered injuries. In connection with the said accident, while a criminal case was registered against the petitioner for the offences u/s 297, 337 and 338 IPC , by the Thiruneelakkudi Police Station, the same ended in acquittal before the learned Special Magistrate, Kumbakonam in C.C. No.9/2011.

(3.) One of the persons, who had travelled by the said ambulance on its return and who was injured in the accident, filed a claim petition in MCOP No.306/09 before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Addl. Sub Judge), Mayiladuthurai and by award dated 20.6.11, the Tribunal awarded a compensation of Rs.63,080/- with interest at 7.5% from 23.12.09 till the date of disbursement to the claimant.