New Delhi, Oct 13 A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs 49.77 lakh compensation to the family of a hotel owner who was killed when a Uttar Pradesh roadways bus allegedly coming from the wrong direction rammed into his car in 2023.
Presiding Officer Vikram was hearing the claim petition filed by the family of deceased Satender Singh and held that the bus driver’s negligence caused the fatal accident near a bus depot in Baraut, Uttar Pradesh, on December 1, 2023.
In an order dated October 9, the tribunal said, “It is held that the said accident has taken place with the offending vehicle being driven by respondent no.1 (bus driver) in rash and negligent manner”.
The tribunal rejected the defence that the accident occurred due to the deceased’s negligence, observing that the site plan showed the bus had moved to the wrong side of the road instead of taking the legally prescribed route.
“The deceased was about to cross the depot and if the bus had not turned to wrong side there would not have been any accident,” the tribunal said.
The accident occurred when Singh, who was returning to his native village in his car, was hit by a bus driven by Vinod Kumar. Singh died at the spot.
The tribunal noted that the bus driver had failed to substantiate his claim that the deceased was driving at high speed and had himself hit the bus. It also observed that the driver had not filed any complaint alleging false implication in the case.
The tribunal assessed Singh’s monthly income at Rs 30,000, based on bank statements showing monthly credit entries ranging from Rs 25,575 to Rs 30,776. His family had claimed that he earned Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 a month by running a hotel, but could not produce documentary proof of his earnings.
Considering all the facts, the tribunal awarded Rs 47.25 lakh compensation to the family of the deceased under various heads.
It directed the bus driver and the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to deposit the amount within 30 days at 7.5 per cent interest, failing which interest at 10 per cent per annum would apply for the period of delay.
