MACT awards over Rs 50 lakh to family of man killed in road accident

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded over Rs 50 lakh to the wife, minor children and aged parents of a man killed in a road accident in Delhi in 2016.

MACT judge Justice Pawan Kumar Jain asked Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited, insurer of the offending vehicle to deposit Rs 47,45,000 and Rs 7,17,000 as interest to the family of the deceased.

"Since, the offending vehicle was registered in the name of the respondent (Royal Sundaram Alliance Insurance Company Limited), it is directed to deposit the award amount of Rs 47,45,000 with interest @ 9 % per annum from the date of filing of claim petition,ie, February 7, 2017 till realization of the amount, within 30 days" the tribunal said.

It also held that Vijay Kumar, the owner and driver of the offending vehicle, along with the insurance company "shall be severally and jointly liable to pay compensation to the petitioners".

The tribunal awarded the compensation to the family of Delhi resident Himanshu Goyal, who was killed on September 28, 2016, while he was on his scooter at Darya Ganj, Delhi.

According to the complaint filed by Goyal's wife, a car which was being driven in a rash and negligent manner had hit his scooter from behind after jumping the red light.Goyal was admitted to a hospital where he succumbed to injuries.

"In view of the above discussion, I am of the opinion that testimony of eyewitness is sufficient to hold that the accident had taken place due to rashness or negligence of Kumar," the tribunal said.

While awarding the compensation, the tribunal noted that Goyal, 32, is survived by wife, two minor children and parents.

The court awarded the compensation under the heads of loss of income, estate, consortium and love and affection.

It also awarded the family of the deceased Rs 15,000 towards funeral expenses.