GUNDALERI BUS SERVICE P LTD Vs. NARASIMHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is filed against the order of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, North Arcot at Vellore in M.A.C T.O.P.19 of 1978. The facts of the case can be stated thus: Narasimhan, the first respondent herein, was a passenger in the bus MDJ 5353 belonging to the first appellant herein, on 16th September, 1975. The bus TRN 170 belonging to the second respondent herein, dashed against the bus MDJ 5353 at the rear side on 16th September, 1975 as a result of which, the first respondent had sustained injuries. The first respondent filed MACT OP No.19 of 1975 claiming compensation against the appellants and second respondent herein. The Tribunal, after considering the evidence on record, came to the following conclusions: (1) that the accident on 16th September, 1975 had occurred on account of the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the bus TRN 170 belonging to the second respondent herein (2) that the first respondent herein is entitled to compensation to the tune of Rs.15,000 on account of the injuries sustained by him (3) that out of the total compensation of Rs.15,000 the liability of the second respondent is fixed at Rs.10,000 and of the appellants herein at Rs.5,000. Accordingly, the Tribunal directed the second respondent and the appellants herein to pay a sum of Rs.10,000 and Rs.5,000 respectively to the first respondent as and towards the compensation. As against the said order of apportionment in the compensation awarded, the present appeal has been filed.

(2.) The only contention raised by Mr.S.Sampath Kumar, learned Counsel for the appellants is that in view of the finding that the accident had occurred on account of the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the bus, belonging to the second respondent herein, the Tribunal ought to have directed the entire compensation payable to the first respondent should be paid by the second respondent only. He further contended that, if the compensation amount is not recovered from the second respondent, then only the appellants can be made liable to the extent of the liability as per the provisions of the section 95 of the Motor Vehicles Act. This contention of Mr.S.Sampath Kumar in my view, is well founded for the following reasons:

(3.) The finding that the accident had taken place due to the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the bus, belonging to the second respondent herein, had become final, and as such, the total liability for the accident falls upon the second respondent herein. The first respondent had also a cause of action, against the second respondent herein, since the injury sustained by him is the direct result of the rash and negligent driving of the driver of the bus, belonging to the second respondent herein. Though the first appellant herein is liable to the passengers, as per section 95 of the Act, the damages incurred by the first appellant can be recovered from the second respondent herein, as one resulting from the accident, that had taken place on account of rash and negligent driving of the driver of the bus, belonging to the second respondent herein. Considering the liabilities of the appellants and the second respondent herein, there is no difficulty in coming to the conclusion that the second respondent herein is responsible for all the claims that arise from the accident including the claim of the passenger, the first respondent herein which is the subject-matter of MACT OP 19 of 1975. No doubt, the first respondent has also a cause of action against the first appellant under section 95 of the Motor Vehicles Act, and the loss incurred by payment of such damages by the appellants is recoverable from the second respondent herein.