Chandigarh MACT awards Rs 15.63 lakh compensation to parents of accident victim

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Chandigarh, has directed the driver and owners of a canter and a truck, along with the insurance company, to pay a compensation of Rs 15,63,179 to the parents of a 23-year-old man who died in a road accident five years ago.

The petition has been filed by Lata Devi and Bal Mukand, residents of Solan district in Himachal Pradesh, seeking compensation for the death of their son Neeraj Kumar in an accident that took place in Rajasthan.

According to the petition, filed through advocate Sunil Kumar Dixit, the accident occurred on July 4, 2020, when Neeraj was travelling in a canter as a co-driver transporting goods from Nagaur to Shri Nagar in Rajasthan.

At about 5.30 pm, at the turn point of Kotputli city, the canter collided with a truck ahead of it after the truck driver allegedly applied sudden breaks. Neeraj suffered multiple injuries, including a fatal head injury, and died on the spot.

The petitioners argued that the accident took place due to the negligence of both drivers. An FIR under Sections 279 and 304-A of the IPC was registered at Kotputli police station, Jaipur district.

The parents stated that Neeraj, a bachelor, earned Rs 19,500 per month, and they were dependent on his income. They sought Rs 50 lakh in compensation along with interest.

However, the driver denied negligence and claimed that a false case had been lodged to secure compensation.

After hearing the arguments and examining the evidence, the Tribunal held the respondents jointly and severally liable and awarded the petitioners Rs 15,63,179 along with 7.5 per cent annual interest from the date of filing the petition till realisation of the amount.