NATIONAL INSURANCE COMPANY Vs. M. SUJATHA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The motor vehicle accident that occurred on 14.09.2011 at about 3:30 am. , at Police Station, Baksha, Jaunpur District, Utter Pradesh, is the common subject matter in both these appeals and, therefore, they are analogously heard and taken up for disposal by this common judgment.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are as under: On 14.09.2011 at about 3. 30 am. , M. Poorna Chandra Rao and his wife viz. , M. Sujatha, along with others were travelling in a jeep bearing No. UP65B5 3042 from Varanasi to Ayodhya, and when the jeep reached Police Station, Baksha, the driver of the jeep dashed the opposite vehicle in a rash and negligent manner, as a result of which, they sustained grievous injuries all over their bodies. M. Sujatha filed MVOP. No. 601 of 2014 and M. Poorna Chandra Rao filed MVOP. No. 817 of 2014 against owner and insurer of the jeep (respondent No. 2 and appellant in the appeals, respectively), claiming compensation of Rs. 9,00,000/- and Rs. 16,00,000/- respectively, for the injuries sustained by them.

(3.) Before the Tribunal, owner of the jeep remained ex parte. The appellant-Insurance Company filed counters denying the allegations and contended that the amounts claimed by the claimants are highly excessive and that it is not liable to pay any compensation and therefore prayed to dismiss the claim petitions.