MANSA RAM Vs. ANU BALA AND ANOTHER

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the award, dated 18th December, 2007, passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (I), Kangra at Dharamshala, H.P., (for short, "the Tribunal") in Claim petition No.10-G/II-2005, titled Anu Bala & another vs. Mansa Ram, whereby a sum of Rs.2,90,000/-, alongwith interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of the claim petition till realization, came to be awarded as compensation in favour of the claimants and the owner-insured was saddled with the liability, (for short, the "impugned award").

(2.) The owner has questioned the impugned award on the grounds taken in the memo of appeal.

(3.) Facts of the case, in brief, are that the Claimants (respondents herein) filed a Claim Petition for grant of compensation on the ground that deceased Bakhtawar Singh was in the employment of Mansa Ram (appellant/owner) and he became the victim of a vehicular accident while driving truck bearing No.HP-11- 1763 on 5th November, 2004 near village Darla. In regard to the said accident, an FIR bearing registration No.348/2004, dated 5th November, 2004, under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the Indian Penal Code was registered at Police Station, Sadar, Bilaspur, H.P.