Research › Search › Judgment

Andhra High Court · body

2009 DIGILAW 586 (AP)

Pothuraju Chandraiah v. G. Narasimha

2009-08-25

R.KANTHA RAO

body2009
Judgment : This appeal is filed by the claimant aggrieved by the order and decree dated 30.01.1998 passed in M.V.O.P.No.135 of 1995 on the file of the Motor Vehicles Claims Tribunal (III ADJ), Guntur. The claimant filed the claim petition under Section 166 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1998 on account of the injuries sustained by him in a motor vehicle accident occurred on 12.01.1995. I have heard the learned counsel appearing for the appellant. Though served with notice, first respondent, the owner of the lorry, and second respondent, the insurer, did not make their appearance. The learned Tribunal as against the claim of the appellant, who was aged 48 years on the date of accident, keeping in view the injuries sustained by the appellant, which ultimately resulted in amputation of his left leg above the knee, granted compensation of Rs.25,000/- with interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the date of petition till the date of realization. The Tribunal in order to grant the said compensation arrived at the decision that there was contributory negligence on the part of the appellant. In this appeal the finding of the Tribunal that there was contributory negligence on the part of the appellant and the quantum of compensation arrived at, basing on the evidence have been challenged. As could be seen from the averments of the claim petition filed by the appellant, on 12.01.1995 at about 04:00 PM while he along with some others was waiting with a chilly bag near Chuttugunta on Guntur to Sattenpalli road, with a view to go to his village, Siripuram, the lorry bearing No. AAT 4333 belonging to the first respondent and insured with the second respondent arrived there and when the appellant was about to get into the lorry with the permission of the driver, the driver started the lorry suddenly in a rash and negligent manner without observing him and without taking necessary precautions, due to which he fell down and the front tyre ran over his left leg resulting ultimately in amputation of the left leg. The above mentioned facts stated in the claim petition have been testified before the Tribunal by the appellant/claimant who was examined as PW.1. He also marked Ex.A1, certified copy of First Information Report and Ex.A2, certified copy of charge sheet. The above mentioned facts stated in the claim petition have been testified before the Tribunal by the appellant/claimant who was examined as PW.1. He also marked Ex.A1, certified copy of First Information Report and Ex.A2, certified copy of charge sheet. The version of the appellant before the Tribunal is in conformity with the version in FIR, Ex.A1. Further, Ex.A2 indicates that the police after thorough investigation filed charge sheet against the driver of the lorry bearing No.AAT 4333 alleging commission of offences punishable under Section 338 IPC and 134(b) of Motor vehicle Act, 1988. The second respondent, Insurance Company, did not adduce any contra evidence in support of its version. Thus, except the evidence adduced by the appellant there was absolutely no other evidence to arrive at a conclusion that there was contributory negligence on the part of the appellant. One cannot imagine the situation that the appellant might have ventured to board the lorry without the permission of the driver, because it is almost impossible. Thus the Tribunal without any basis and contrary to the evidence before it reached the conclusion that there was contributory negligence on the part of the appellant and the finding arrived at basing on the said conclusion is liable to be set aside in this appeal and accordingly the same is set aside. Nextly, since the lorry was driven by its driver who has permitted the appellant to board the same without taking necessary precaution and without observing the appellant, while the appellant was about to get into the lorry, which clearly shows that the driver of the lorry was solely responsible for the accident and under these circumstances the appellant can be considered to be a third party who is entitled to claim compensation under Section 166 of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 and it is not possible to hold that he is a gratuitous passenger. The other question required to be determined in this appeal is whether the compensation arrived at by the learned Tribunal is just and reasonable or whether it requires to be enhanced, as claimed by the appellant. According to him the appellant was a business man in pulses on commission basis and was earning Rs.1,500/- per month. The other question required to be determined in this appeal is whether the compensation arrived at by the learned Tribunal is just and reasonable or whether it requires to be enhanced, as claimed by the appellant. According to him the appellant was a business man in pulses on commission basis and was earning Rs.1,500/- per month. The learned Tribunal observed that no evidence was let in by the appellant regarding his avocation and income and granted a lump sum of Rs.25,000/- holding that there was contributory negligence on the part of the appellant. The evidence of PW.2, the doctor who examined the appellant/claimant, in Government General Hospital, Guntur, shows that the appellant/claimant was admitted in the said hospital on 12.01.1995 and was discharged on 21.03.1995. He received a crush injury to his left leg and there was disarticulation of knee joints (amputation of left leg above the knee) done on 10.03.1995. Though there is no disability certificate, since, this is a case of amputation of left leg of the appellant above knee and there being no dispute about the said fact, this Court can safely act on the testimony of PW.2, who treated the appellant. The appellant was aged 48 years on the date of accident. He was said to be doing business in pulses on commission basis and there by earning Rs.1,500/- per month. Since, the income stated by the appellant seems to be reasonable, even though if he is considered to be a labourer, the same can be accepted for the purpose of computing compensation. In the case of Nigamma and another Vs. United India Insurance Company Limited ( 2009 (5) Supreme 127 ) the Apex Court held as follows: “Undoubtedly, Section 166 of the MVA deals with “Just Compensation” and even if in the pleadings no specific claim was made under section 166 of the MVA, in our considered opinion a party should not be deprived from getting “Just Compensation” in case the claimant is able to make out a case under any provision of law. Needless to say, the MVA is beneficial and welfare legislation. Needless to say, the MVA is beneficial and welfare legislation. In fact, the Court is duty bound and entitled to award “Just Compensation” irrespective of the fact whether any plea in that behalf was raised by the claimant or not.” Therefore, in the instant case by applying the ratio laid down in the above case, this Court can grant the compensation which is just and reasonable without restricting the same to the amount actually claimed by the appellant and to that extent, if necessary, enhanced compensation has to be awarded to the appellant, whose left leg was amputated above the knee. The annual income of the appellant is Rs.1,500/- X 12 = Rs.18,000/-. The appropriate multiplier according to the second schedule to Section 163_(A) of Motor Vehicle Act, 1988 relevant to the age of the appellant is 13. Therefore, the amount for which the appellant is entitled towards loss of earnings and permanent disability is Rs.18,000 X 75/100X13 which comes to Rs.1,75,500/-. Apart from the above an amount Rs.20,000/- can be granted towards pain and suffering. Since, there is no evidence regarding medical expenses and since the treatment being in Government Hospital, no amount was awarded towards medical expenses. In the result, the appellant/claimant is entitled for a compensation of Rs.1,95,500/-which according to this Court is just and reasonable. The enhancement in the quantum of compensation, therefore, would be Rs.1,70,000/-. The learned Tribunal below awarded interest at the rate of 12%, which is not in consonance with the Judgments of the Supreme Court and, therefore, it is reduced to 7.5% per annum from the date of petition till realization. With the above enhancement of compensation and reduction in rate of interest, the appeal filed by the injured claimant (the appellant) is allowed. There shall be no order as to costs.