New Delhi, Jul 24 A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) awarded approximately Rs 72 lakh in compensation to the family of a 30-year-old mechanical engineer who died in a 2023 road accident.
Presiding Officer Abhilash Malhotra directed United India Insurance Co Ltd to deposit a total sum of Rs 72,38,790, which includes a principal compensation of Rs 56.33 lakh and over Rs 16.5 lakh as 9 per cent annual interest calculated from the date the petition was filed.
In its July 7 order, the tribunal noted the facts of the case, according to which the victim, Rohit Kumar, a resident of Begusarai, Bihar, suffered fatal injuries after a truck crashed into his car on a national highway on January 9, 2023.
His wife, two minor children, parents, and sister moved the tribunal seeking compensation. Although the accident occurred in Bihar, the claim was filed in the national capital because the insurance company's registered office was located within the tribunal's jurisdiction.
The tribunal said the driver of the offending vehicle steered clear of the witness box and did not lead any controvertible evidence to negate or refute the allegations of rash and negligent driving.
"It stands proved on the touchstone of preponderance of probabilities that the aforesaid accident took place due to rash and negligent driving of the transgressing/offending vehicle," the MACT said.
The tribunal then awarded over Rs 72 lakh under various heads, such as loss of prospects, loss of dependency, loss of consortium, funeral expenses and loss of estate and interest.
It said the driver, owner, and the insurance company are "jointly and severally liable" to pay the amount. The insurance company has been directed to deposit the award amount within 30 days.
