USHA ATTRI Vs. STATE OF HARAYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) One Dr. D.V. Attri, aged about 50 years, was proceeding to Primary Health Centre, Nissing to attend to his official duty on 1.12.1981 on his Moped No. HYC 9905, on correct side of Karnal-Kaithal Road, when he was hit and run over by the Haryana Roadways bus No. HRD 5690. Satnam Singh, the respondent was the driver of the said bus. Ultimately, the deceased was brought to P.G.I, where he died on 9.12.1981 on account of serious injuries received by him in the accident itself.

(2.) Since the said human life had been lost, the widow and son of the deceased brought a claim petition for compensation on the ground that the deceased was a Medical Officer and life was cut short and that they are entitled to the compensation. The deceased was said to be drawing salary of Rs. 2,547 per month.

(3.) The driver of the ill-fated bus denied the accident itself. However, on a contest the learned Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal held that it was the fault of the said driver and observed that from the amount of salary aforesaid the deceased must have been contributing Rs. 1,250 towards the needs of the family. The annual dependency was fixed at Rs. 15,000. It was also observed that the age of retirement was 55 years. Looking at such a situation, the multiplier of six was applied and interest at the rate of 6 per cent per annum was awarded to the claimants.