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2018 DIGILAW 3127 (MAD)

New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v. Elizabeth

2018-09-20

ABDUL QUDDHOSE

body2018
JUDGMENT Abdul Quddhose, J. The instant appeal has been filed by the Insurance Company challenging the Award dated 7.12.2006 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Fast Track Court IV), Coimbatore at Thiruppur in M.A.C.T.O.P.No.422 of 1997. 2. The brief facts leading to the filing of the instant appeal are as follows; (i) One Mrs. Kaliammal died on 17.3.1997 as a result of an accident caused by a van bearing Registration No. TAP 6211 owned by the 4th respondent and insured with the appellant. The van collided with a lorry bearing Registration No.PY-01-C-9379 which resulted in the death of Mrs. Kaliammal. The van was insured with the appellant insurance company and the lorry was insured with the 7th respondent insurance company. The 4th respondent is the owner of the Van and 6th respondent is the owner of the lorry. The dependants of the deceased Kaliammal are the respondents No.1 to 3 in this appeal. (ii) They preferred a claim before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in M.A.C.T.O.P.No.422 of 1997 seeking a compensation of Rs. 10,00,000/- for the death of Kaliammal as a result of the accident. (iii) The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, by its Award dated 7.12.2006 in M.C.O.P.No.422 of 1997, directed the appellant to pay the respondents 1 to 3, a sum of Rs. 1,91,000/- together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of claim till the date of realisation and also permitted the appellant to recover the said amount from the 4th respondent who is the owner of the insured vehicle. (iv) Aggrieved by the Award dated 7.12.2006 passed in M.A.C.T.O.P.No.422 of 1999, the instant appeal has been filed by the Insurance Company. 3. Heard Mr. S.Ramalingam, learned counsel for the appellant and M/s.M. Malar, learned counsel for respondents 1 to 3. 4. According to the learned counsel for the appellant, the tribunal ought to have held that the driver of the van which was insured with the appellant as well as the lorry were at fault and ought to have apportioned the liability between the owner of the van as well as the lorry. According to the appellant, only due to the fault by both the vehicles, the accident had happened which resulted in the death of the deceased Kaliammal. 5. According to the appellant, only due to the fault by both the vehicles, the accident had happened which resulted in the death of the deceased Kaliammal. 5. Per contra, learned counsel for the respondents 1 to 3 would submit that there is a clear finding given by the tribunal that only due to the rash and negligent driving by the driver of the van insured with the appellant, the accident had happened. Therefore, according to him, only the appellant is liable to compensate the claim of the respondents 1 to 3 who are the legal heirs of the deceased Kaliammal. 6. This Court, after having considered the materials available on record and after examining the impugned award and after hearing the submissions of the respective counsels observes the following; (a) It is an undisputed fact that the deceased succumbed to death as a result of an accident caused due to the collision between the van insured with the appellant and a lorry owned by the 6th respondent in this appeal. Based on the evidence, both oral and documentary, the tribunal has given a clear finding that only due to the rash and negligent driving by the driver of the van insured with the appellant, the accident had happened which resulted in the death of Kaliammal. (b) No sufficient evidence has been placed by the appellant before the tribunal to establish that there was contributory negligence on the part of the driver of the lorry also. (c) In the instant appeal, the appellant has not questioned the quantum of compensation, but has only questioned their liability to pay the entire award amount. The tribunal has adequately protected the interest of the appellant by granting them pay and recovery rights. 7. In the light of the above observations, this Court is of the considered view that there is no merit in the instant appeal. Accordingly, the appeal is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected M.P.No.1 of 2008 is closed. 8. The appellant is directed to deposit the Award amount, less the amount, if any, already deposited, into the credit of MCOP within a period of four weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order and on such deposit, being made, the respondents 1 to 3 are permitted to withdraw the same on filing an appropriate application as per the ratio apportioned by the tribunal.