New Delhi, Aug 8 A motor accident claims tribunal here has awarded Rs 73.29 lakh as compensation to the family of a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation employee who was killed after a UPSRTC bus allegedly hit his scooter from behind in 2021.
Presiding officer Manish Sharma directed the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) to pay Rs 73.29 lakh along with 9 per cent annual interest to the deceased's mother and brother.
In the order dated July 30, the tribunal said, “In view of the above discussion, this tribunal is constrained to hold Respondent No. 1 guilty of gross neglect and default in driving the offending vehicle at the relevant time leading to the death of the deceased.”
According to the claim petition, Gajendra Singh was travelling from his native village to Delhi on January 4, 2021, when a UPSRTC bus hit his scooter near Deri Machha on GT Road in Gautam Budh Nagar district. Singh was declared dead while being taken to a hospital.
The bus driver and the UPSRTC contested the claim, alleging that the scooter rider had collided with a rickshaw and then came under the bus.
However, the tribunal relied on the testimony of an eyewitness and held that the respondents failed to substantiate their version.
It noted that they could neither identify the alleged rickshaw puller nor produce photographs or independent evidence to support their defence.
“The testimony of the eyewitness on the aspect of rash driving has remained uncontroverted and unrebutted,” the tribunal observed.
Holding the bus driver guilty of "gross neglect and default", the tribunal concluded that the accident occurred due to his rash and negligent driving.
The tribunal noted that Singh, aged 35, was employed as a refrigerator and air-conditioning mechanic with the DMRC, earning about Rs 52,150 per month at the time of the accident.
After calculating loss of dependency, future prospects and conventional heads such as consortium, funeral expenses and loss of estate, the tribunal awarded a total compensation of Rs 73.29 lakh.
