Mfa3136 23 19 07 2024

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NC: 2024:KHC:28067
MFA No. 3136 of 2023

IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU

DATED THIS THE 19TH DAY OF JULY, 2024

BEFORE

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.NATARAJAN

MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO. 3136 OF 2023 (MV-D)

BETWEEN:

1. NISHAAD BAANU,
W/O NOORULLA,
AGED ABOUT 50 YEARS,

2. NOORULLA
S/O WAZEER AHAMED,
AGED ABOUT 57 YEARS,
BOTH ARE
R/O MIRZA MOHALLA,
1ST CROSS, HASSAN CITY,
HASSAN - 573 201.
…APPELLANTS
(BY SRI. KAVITHA H C.,ADVOCATE)

Digitally AND:
signed by
ANJALI M 1. RAMESHA M.
Location: S/O MANJAPPA,
High Court of AGED ABOUT 38 YEARS,
Karnataka BEHIND JUNIOR COLLEGE,
LAKSHMIPURA LAYOUT,
BELUR TALUK,
HASSAN DISTRICT - 573 201.

2. THE MANAGER,
CHOLA MANDALAM INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED,
UNIT NO 4, 9TH FLOOR (LEVEL 6)
GOLDEN HEIGHTS COMPLEX,
59-C CROSS, INDUSTRIAL SUBURB,
RAJAJINAGAR, 4TH M BLCOK,
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NC: 2024:KHC:28067
MFA No. 3136 of 2023

BANGALORE - 560 010.


…RESPONDENTS
(BY SRI. B. PRADEEP., ADVOCATE FOR R2;
V/O. 04.08.2023, NOTICE TO R1 D/W)

THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT AGAINST THE


JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 15.11.2022 PASSED IN MVC
NO. 275/2021 ON THE FILE OF THE III ADDITIONAL DISTRICT
AND SESSIONS JUDGE, MEMBER, ADDITIONAL MACT, HASSAN,
PARTLY ALLOWING THE CLAIM PETITION FOR COMPENSATION
AND SEEKING ENHANCEMENT OF COMPENSATION.

THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY,


THE COURT DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:

JUDGMENT

This appeal is preferred by the claimants challenging

the judgment and award dated 15.11.2022 passed by the

III Additional District and Sessions Judge and Member

Additional MACT, Hassan in MVC.No.275/2021. This

appeal is founded on the premise of inadequate and

meagre compensation awarded by the Tribunal. Hence,

the claimants seek an enhancement of compensation.

2. Heard the arguments of learned counsel for

both parties.
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MFA No. 3136 of 2023

3. The claimants filed this appeal under Section

166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, on account of the death of

their daughter, who died in the accident dated

03.12.2020. It is alleged that the deceased was

proceeding in a Scooty bearing registration No.KA-19-EW-

3820 at about 2.15 p.m, the Lorry bearing registration

No.KA-35-A-6563 came in a rash and negligent manner

and dashed against the deceased. Due to which, she

sustained grievous injuries and died in the Hospital. She

was working as Lab Technician and earning Rs.30,000/-

p.m. In an accident, the claimants lost their daughter and

suffered financial losses. Hence, prayed for compensation.

4. In response to the notice, respondent Nos.1

and 2 appeared and filed a statement of objections, denied

the rash and negligent driving, and also denied the age,

income, and avocation, and prayed for the dismissal of the

appeal.
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MFA No. 3136 of 2023

5. Based upon the pleadings, the Tribunal framed

the following issues:

1. Whether the petitioners prove that the


deceased Fida Harmiya daughter of
Noorulla succumbed to the injuries due to
the Motor Vehicle Accident in question that
took place on 03.12.2020 at about 2.15
p.m. near Kaskebylu village of Mudigere,
due to rash and negligent driving of lorry
bearing Reg.No.K.A.19-W-3820 by its
driver as alleged in the petition?

2. Whether the petitioners are entitled to


compensation? If so, to what extent, from
which Respondent?

3. What order?

6. To prove the case, the claimant examined as

PW.1 and marked 15 documents, but the respondents did

not adduce any evidence. The Tribunal, after hearing the

arguments, answered Issue No.1 Affirmatively and

awarded compensation of Rs.11,57,000/-. Feeling

aggrieved by the same, the claimants filed a claim petition

seeking enhancement of compensation.

7. Learned counsel for the claimants vehemently

contended that the Tribunal committed an error in holding


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MFA No. 3136 of 2023

the income of the deceased at Rs.10,000/- p.m. Even

though the accident occurred in the year 2020, as per Lok

Adalath, the notional income is to be considered at

Rs.14,500/- p.m. Therefore, prayed for an enhancement of

compensation.

8. Per contra, learned counsel for respondents

supported the judgment of the Tribunal.

9. Having heard the argument, perused the

records the point that arises for consideration is:

"Whether the appellants are entitled for


enhancement of compensation? If so, to what
extent?"

10. On perusal of the records, the accident

occurred on 03.12.2020, due to the rash and negligence

of the driver of the Lorry, which is not disputed. The

police also filed a Charge sheet against the driver of the

Lorry and liability was fixed on the owner and insurer,


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MFA No. 3136 of 2023

which is not in dispute. Only the quantum has been

considered by this Court.

11. The claimants produced Ex.P14, which reveals

the deceased was working as a Lab Technician and earning

Rs.30,000/- p.m. However, the documents were not

proved by examining the employer, and no passbook was

produced to show the income. Therefore, the only option

available to the Court is to take the notional income. In

the Lok Adalath for the accident year 2020, the Court

considered Rs.14,500/- as income. Therefore, I proposed

to take Rs.14,500/- p.m as notional income as against

Rs.10,000/- p.m considered by the Tribunal. Considering

Rs.14,500/- p.m as an income, 40% would have to be

added towards future prospects, and the deceased was

unmarried, so 50% would be deducted towards personal

and living expenses. Therefore, the loss of dependency

would be Rs.21,92,400/- (Rs.14,500 + 40% = Rs.20,300

- 50% = Rs.10,150 x 12 x 18).


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NC: 2024:KHC:28067
MFA No. 3136 of 2023

12. Both the claimants are entitled to a parental

consortium of Rs.40,000/- each. Therefore, Rs.80,000/-

to be awarded under the head 'loss of consortium'.

13. Towards 'conventional head', this Court deems

it appropriate to award Rs.33,000/- (Rs.30,000+10%

escalation).

14. Accordingly, I pass the following:

SL. HEADS AMOUNT IN


No. RS.
1 Loss of dependency 21,92,400-00
2 Loss of consortium 80,000-00
3 Conventional head 33,000-00
TOTAL 23,05,400-00

ORDER

I. The appeal is allowed-in-part;

II. The judgment and award dated 15.11.2022


passed in MVC.No.275/2021 by the III Additional
District and Sessions Judge and Member
Additional MACT, Hassan is modified;
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NC: 2024:KHC:28067
MFA No. 3136 of 2023

III. The claimants are entitled to the compensation


of Rs. 23,05,400/- as against Rs.11,57,000/-
awarded by the Tribunal;

IV. The interest awarded by the tribunal at the rate


of 9% per annum on the compensation amount
of Rs.11,57,000/- is left undisturbed. The
enhanced compensation shall carry interest at
the rate of 6% per annum;
V. The Insurance Company is liable to pay the
compensation amount within 60 days from the
date of receipt of copy of this judgment;

VI. All other terms and conditions stipulated by the


Tribunal with regard to apportionment, deposit
and release shall stand intact;

Sd/-
(K.NATARAJAN)
JUDGE

AM
List No.: 1 Sl No.: 47

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