KARAMJEET Vs. RATTAN SINGH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal filed by the claimants for enhancement of compensation awarded in a motor accident case.

(2.) On 24.05.1999 at about 7.30 AM Ramesh alias Mahesh (since deceased) was riding on the pillion seat of motorcycle bearing registration No. HRL-4550 driven by Sukhdev Singh. When the motorcycle reached near the premises of M/s Shiv Shanker Rice Mills, a bus bearing registration No. HR-07A-1102 came from the opposite direction, being driven in a rash and negligent manner by Rattan Singh, respondent No. 1 and hit the motorcycle. As a result, Sukhdev Singh suffered fracture of left leg, whereas, Ramesh alias Mahesh suffered multiple injuries and succumbed to the same at the spot.

(3.) Widow, three minor daughters and parents of the deceased filed claim petition under section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988. The Tribunal after going through the evidence led before it, assessed the monthly income of the deceased, who was working as operator of Tube-well boring machine, at Rs. 2400/-. It held the loss of dependency at Rs. 1600/- per month and applied the multiplier of 16. Besides, it also awarded Rs. 2000/-, Rs. 2500/- and Rs. 5000/- under the heads of 'funeral expenses', 'loss of estate' and 'loss of consortium'. In other words, compensation of Rs. 3,16,700/- was awarded along with interest.