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2025 DIGILAW 1852 (JHR)

Abdul Sobhan @ Subhan Ansari @ Bhuttu @ Abdul Sonhan Ansari, son of Late Samaun Miyan v. Babban Singh, son of Late Sriram Singh, residing of Village Singh Colony

2025-09-10

GAUTAM KUMAR CHOUDHARY

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Order : Gautam Kumar Choudhary, J. Claimant is in appeal for enhancement of compensation of Rs.3,00,800/- under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicle Act in MACT Case No.162/2011 for the permanent disability suffered by him in a motor vehicle accident involving bus bearing registration no. JH 04A 1501. 2. As per the finding recorded by the learned trial court, appellant/claimant sustained 60% disablement in the motor vehicle accident by the offending bus referred to above resulting in amputation of one of his hands. 3. Learned trial court recorded a finding that he was a mason and was earning Rs.250/- per day on the date of accident which took place on 17.05.2010 and was aged 48 years at the time of accident. 4. It is submitted by the learned counsel that 60% disablement for a mason was 100% functional disablement. The Tribunal however awarded the compensation only for 60% and no compensation has been awarded under the heading of future loss of income. Further, the income of the claimant as deposed by the witnesses was Rs.7000/- per month. However, the income of Rs.3000/- per month was only accepted. 5. Two folds argument have been advanced in this regard on behalf of the appellant. Firstly, it is not in accord with the oral evidence or the minimum wages admissible to a skilled labor and further no interest has been awarded in the present case. 6. It is submitted by learned counsel on behalf of Insurance Company that it is a case of amputation of left hand; therefore, the plea of 100% functional disability is somewhat exaggerated. Further, P.W.-3 in the cross-examination at para 1 has deposed that injured was getting Rs. 200/- to Rs. 250/- per day and therefore, he had a fluctuating income. 7. Having considered the submissions advanced on behalf of both sides and on perusal of the materials on record, I find some merit in the submission advanced on behalf of the petitioner that income of Rs. 3000/- of a Mason per month is not sustainable for the reason that he was a skilled labour and had claimed that he was earning Rs. 250/- per day as per the deposition of the witnesses. Even if the minimum wage of a semi-skilled labour i.e., Rs. 200/- per day is taken as the daily wage of the injured, the monthly income will be Rs.6000/-. 250/- per day as per the deposition of the witnesses. Even if the minimum wage of a semi-skilled labour i.e., Rs. 200/- per day is taken as the daily wage of the injured, the monthly income will be Rs.6000/-. Further amputation of hand of a Mason and that too from the shoulder is something which cannot be said to incur less than 75% of functional disability. Taking the age of 48 years of the injured, Rs. 6000/- per month, 75% as the functional disability, the final compensation amount will come as under: Annual Income Rs.72,000/- Future prospect @ 25% i.e., Rs.18000/- Total= Rs.90,000/- On taking a multiplier of 13 as the injured was 48 years old Rs.11,70,000/- Functional disability 75% Rs. 8,77,500/- Total Rs. 8,77,500/- 8. The claimants shall therefore be entitled to compensation of Rs. 8,77,500/- with interest @ of 7.5% per annum on the compensation amount from the date of filing of claim application from the Insurance Company. The Insurance Company is accordingly directed to make payment of the compensation amount to the Tribunal within a month of this order. The Tribunal shall pay the compensation amount to the claimants after proper identification. Miscellaneous Appeal is accordingly allowed. Pending I.A., if any, stands disposed of.