MACT orders relief of Rs 16.96 lakh for kin

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 30

Two and a half months after the breadwinner of a Lalru-based family was killed after being hit by a motorcyclist, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) today announced a compensation of Rs 16.96 lakh to the victim’s kin.

According to the order, the deceased’s wife, Seela Devi (40), his elderly parents and two young children, who filed the petition, will get the relief amount as decided by the court.

On March 15, Narinder Singh, along with his uncle, was waiting for a bus to Chandigarh at the bus stop near the Lalru flyover on the Ambala-Chandigarh road. At about 7.30 pm, a motorcycle (PB 65 Z 5966) being ridden in a rash and negligent manner by Shiva Gautam, a resident of Baltana, hit Narinder. He fell on the road and sustained serious injuries. He was  rushed to the GMCH, Sector 32, where he succumbed to his injuries. A case was registered against the motorcyclist.

The petitioners had sought a relief of Rs 75 lakh on account of the untimely death of the 44-year-old man. The motorcyclist, Shiva Gautam, claimed that he was booked in a false case.

The second respondent, The New India Assurance Company Limited, Sector 17 (insurer of the offending vehicle), in its reply, stated that the motorcyclist was not holding a valid driving licence at the time of the accident.

The petitioners claimed that the deceased, who was a labourer, used to earn Rs 15,000 per month.  

“....no evidence has been brought on record to prove that the vehicle in question was being ridden in violation of the terms and conditions... the rider-owner is liable to make the payment of the awarded amount whereas the insurance company is liable to indemnify him. In these terms, the issue is answered against the insurance company,” said Roopam Singh, Judge, in the order while announcing a compensation of Rs 16,96,436 to the victim’s kin.