NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED Vs. RAHEEMA BEGUM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This C.M.A. is filed by the Insurance Company, against the order, dated 31/10/2005, passed by the learned Commissioner for Workmen's Compensation and Assistant Commissioner of Labour, Hyderabad (for short 'the Commissioner') in W.C.No.182 of 2004.

(2.) Respondents 1 to 3 herein filed the claim before the Commissioner under the provisions of the Workmen's Compensation Act, 1923 (for short 'the Act'), claiming compensation of Rs.5,00,000.00. They pleaded that one late Mehatab Khan, who is husband of the 1st respondent, father of the 2nd respondent and son of the 3rd respondent, was employed as a driver of the vehicle bearing No.AP-13T-627, owned by the 4th respondent. It was alleged that on 31/8/2004, when Mehatab Khan was proceeding on the said vehicle from Hyderabad to Srisailam, he stopped the vehicle at Tuppugudam for taking meals, and thereafter, when he was crossing the road, a vehicle bearing No. AP- 9W-5056 came in a rash and negligent manner and hit him, as a result, he sustained grievous injuries. Immediately, he was shifted to Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad. The vehicle was insured with the appellant herein, which was impleaded as the 2nd respondent in W.C.

(3.) After examining the claim of respondents 1 to 3 and the plea of the appellant herein, the Commissioner awarded a sum of Rs.3,19,649/- as compensation. He proceeded to award a sum of Rs.44,751/- towards interest at the rate of 12% per annum on the said amount, from the date of accident till the date of award. This appeal is filed challenging the order passed by the Assistant Commissioner, insofar as it awarded interest from the date of accident.