BHAKRA MANAGEMENT BOARD Vs. CHAMPA DEVI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been filed by the Bhakra Management Board (for short 'the Board'), and the Executive Engineer, Bhakra Mechanical Division, Nangal, against the judgment of the Workmen's Compensation Commissioner, Rupnagar, dated 3.1.1987.

(2.) Briefly, the facts are that Sada Ram was employed as gate-keeper with the Board. He was on duty on the night intervening 30th and 31st March, 1975. He died during the duty hours on account of accident. It is alleged that the claimant was his widow and was his sole heir. She claimed the amount of Rs. 28,800/- as compensation on account of death of her husband. The petition was contested by the Board and the other appellant before the Tribunal. It was inter alia pleaded by them that the accident did not occur during the course of employment. Several other pleas were taken but they are not relevant for the decision of this appeal.

(3.) The learned Tribunal hold that the accident took place during the course of employment of Sada Ram and, therefore, the claimant was entitled to Rs. 8000/- as compensation and Rs. 4000/- as penalty. Consequently, it passed a decree for recovery of Rs. 12,000/- with interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum from the date of accident. The appellants have come up in the appeal to this Court.