THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD. REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER Vs. SHRI JHALAK SHIL, SMT. RAKHI BALA DAS (SHIL) AND SHRI PARIMAL DAS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal by the appellant -insurance company is directed against the award dated 30th May, 2007 passed by the learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, North Tripura, Kamalpur in T.S. (MAC) 13 of 2006 whereby the Tribunal awarded compensation of Rs. 1,77,000/ - in favour of the claimants.

(2.) THE appeal has been filed mainly on two grounds. Firstly, that the owner has not produced the permit of the vehicle and secondly, that the Tribunal has erred in granting penal interest.

(3.) THE second contention of the appellant is that the learned Tribunal erred in giving a direction that in case the compensation is deposited within a period of two months then the award shall carry interest @6% per annum and if it is not deposited within two months then the interest shall be 9% per annum. I am afraid that such a direction cannot be issued by any Motor Accident Claims Tribunal. Section 171 of the M.V. Act, 1988 reads as follows: