MACT grants Rs 25.5 lakh to kin of accident victim

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 26

The 11-year-old son and 28-year-old brother of a private school teacher, who was killed in a road accident, have been awarded Rs 25.56 lakh compensation by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).

Satinder Kaur, a divorcee, was a teacher at a private school in Sector 18, Chandigarh. On November 6, 2011, at about 4:00 pm, the deceased after purchasing medicines was returning to her home along with her son. As she had started her scooter and was leaving from a parking lot in Sector 71, Mohali, an XUV car being driven by Harpreet Kaur at fast speed and in a rash and negligent manner, came from the left side and hit the scooter with great force. Due to the impact, the deceased along with her son fell down on the road and received multiple injuries.

As per the complaint, Harpreet tried to flee the spot, but a crowd had gathered and did not allow her. She had to thus take the two injured to a nearby private hospital, from where she is said to have fled without informing anyone.

A case was also registered for causing death by negligence at the Mataur police station.

Harpreet, in her reply, told the court that no such accident had ever occurred and the FIR registered was a false one. However, there were eyewitnesses in the case, who confirmed that the accident did take place.

It was stated that the deceased was earning Rs 31,000 per month through her school as well as tuitions. After hearing the arguments, the tribunal decided to award Rs 25.54 lakh to the family. However, counsel for the deceased Thakur Kartar Singh and Thakur Vishal Singh said, “We are not satisfied with the order; the family deserved a higher compensation.”