ANUP SINGH Vs. PUNJAB ROADWAYS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The claim in appeal here is for enhanced compensation. The claimants being the parents of Shangara Singh deceased, who was killed by the Punjab Roadways Bus PUK 8106 while he was standing on the roadside near the bus stand Muktsar. This happened on January 25, 1981. The compensation awarded was Rs. 8,000/-.

(2.) A reference to the evidence on record would show that Shangara Singh deceased was only about 17-year of age at the time of his death. He was a IX- Class student in the Khalsa Higher Secondary School, Muktsar. According to P.W.3 Kehar Singh, the Principal of the school, in studies, he was amongst the top-most students of the school. P.W.4 Anoop Singh, the father of the deceased also deposed that his son was a brilliant student in school. It was further his testimony that the deceased used to sell milk both in the morning and evening besides helping him in agriculture and thereby adding to the family income.

(3.) It is apparent that Shangara Singh deceased belonged to a very poor family. The family was dependant upon agriculture and they have a very small holding of land. In this situation, it is quite apparent that the parents of the deceased would have been financially dependent upon him. It is, of course, to be expected that had the deceased lived, he would have got married and raised a family and then would also have had their expense to meet too keeping in view the various relevant factors, as applicable in this case, as laid down by the full Bench in Lachhman Singh v. Gurmit Kaur, 1979 81 PunLR 1 compensation payable to the claimants deserves to be enhanced to Rs. 20,000/- (Rs. Twenty thousand only). This sum is accordingly so awarded to the claimants. The parents shall be entitled to this amount along with interest at the rate of 12 per cent. per annum from the date of the amount awarded.