Thane, Oct 10 A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane district has awarded Rs 23.86 lakh in compensation to the family of a 22-year-old motorcyclist killed in an accident on Ghodbunder Road nearly a decade ago.
Tribunal member R V Mohite directed the truck owner, Ramakant Kamlakar Rane, to pay the total compensation along with interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing the petition to the victim's mother and other dependents.
According to the petition, on February 9, 2016, the victim, Akib Anis Attar, was riding his motorcycle on Ghodbunder Road when a speeding truck rammed into the two-wheeler. Akib sustained grievous injuries and later succumbed to them during treatment at a hospital.
The Kasarwadavli police had registered a first information report and filed a chargesheet against the truck driver for rash and negligent driving under the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
While the insurance company, Reliance General Insurance Co. Ltd., contested the claim arguing that the insurance policy produced was fake and forged, and the truck owner claimed the accident was due to the rider's negligence, the tribunal established liability after examining oral and documentary evidence.
The tribunal stated that an acquittal in a criminal case does not automatically dismiss a motor accident claim petition. Criminal cases require proof of guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. MACT claim petitions under the Motor Vehicles Act are decided on a preponderance of probabilities.
The tribunal computed the total compensation at Rs 23.86 lakh, which includes loss of future income, future prospects, loss of consortium, loss of estate, and funeral expenses.
