SURJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is the claimant's appeal seeking modification of the award dated 05.12.1995, passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Kurukshetra (here -in -after referred to as the Tribunal).

(2.) IT would be useful to refer to the facts first. Surjit Singh claimant was going to Delhi in a Maruti Van on 29.06.1994. A Haryana Roadways Bus driven by respondent no.2 came from the opposite direction and hit the van.

(3.) RESPONDENTS no.1 and 3 took the plea that the bus was proceeding from Karnal to Chandigarh and when it had reached Pipli, a truck was going ahead of the bus and the truck driver suddenly applied brakes. The road was slippery and the bus skidded towards the right, hitting the van which was coming from the opposite direction. It was urged that driver of Maruti Van also made a statement in this regard to the police that the bus driver was not at fault and had later filed a petition seeking compensation.