MACT awards Rs 1.59 cr relief to techie''s kin

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 10

In a major relief to a deceased engineer’s family, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has ordered a compensation of Rs 1.59 crore to be jointly and severally paid by the offending car driver, the owner and the insurance company.

On the morning of May 3, 2015, Sachin Garg, a resident of Sector 27,  was going from his house towards Sector 36 to his brother’s office on a motorcycle. When he reached the road separating Sectors 20 and 21, a car (HR 03 F 0145), owned by Harvinder Singh and being driven by Sunny Kumar, both Panchkula residents, in a rash and negligent manner, came from the rear side and hit the bike.

Sachin suffered multiple injuries and was taken to the Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, where he succumbed to his injuries during the treatment. A case under Sections 279, 337 and 304-A of the IPC was registered at the Sector 19 police station.

In their plea to the tribunal, Anjali Garg, widow, Sarnsh Garg, minor son, and Pawan Kumar Garg and Prem Lata, parents, stated that the deceased was 31 years old and working as an engineer with Prime India Span, Mohali. He was earning Rs 90,000 per month.

In a joint written reply filed by the vehicle driver and the owner, it was claimed that a false FIR was registered against the former and the accident took place because of the negligence of the motorcyclist and after the accident, the bike rider felt sorry; so the claimants were not entitled to claim any compensation.

The insurer of the offending vehicle, New India Assurance Company Limited, also contended that the liability of the company could arise only if the driver of the offending vehicle was holding a valid and effective driving licence at the time of the accident and the vehicle was being driven as per provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. 

Meanwhile, the petitioners presented prosecution witnesses in the tribunal to prove the case. District and Sessions Judge Balbir Singh awarded a compensation of Rs 1,59,20,675 to the family members.