The Oriental Insurance Company Limited v. Bonda Parthasarthy And 4 ORS

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE T.AMARNATH GOUD M.A.C.M.A.No. 1540 of 2017 JUDGMENT:

This appeal is directed against the Award dated 26.02.2016 passed by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunalcum-XIV Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ranga Reddy district at L.B.Nagar (for short 'the Tribunal), in M.V.O.P.No.527 of 2009 whereby the Tribunal awarded compensation of Rs.5,24,390/- together with interest from the date of petition till the date of realization on account of the injuries sustained by the claimant in a motor vehicle accident that occurred on 19.01.2008, due to the rash and negligent driving by the drivers of both the crime vehicles involved in the accident, and accordingly apportioned the compensation among both the vehicles.

It is a case of collusion between two vehicles and the deceased was traveling in one of the vehicle i.e. Swaraj Mazda Mini bus bearing No. AP 13 W 8182. When the claimant sustained severe injuries in the accident, he was shifted to Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences, Tirupathi. Now in this appeal, it is the contention of the learned Standing Counsel for insurer of one of the crime vehicles i.e., The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, against whom 50% of the liability is fixed, is that the accident occurred due to negligent driving of Swaraj Mazda Mini Bus bearing No.AP 13

W 8182, in which the claimant was traveling and the Tribunal erred in arriving at the loss of earnings, pain and suffering, amenities, incidental charges, which are high and excessive. Learned counsel for the respondent No.1/claimant rebutted the above contentions, by stating that the appellant had neither produced any evidence, nor proved his case before the Tribunal that the accident occurred due to negligent driving of Swaraj Mazda Mini Bus.

A perusal of Ex.A.1-copy of FIR proves that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving by the driver of Swaraj Mazda Mini Lorry bearing No. AP 02 W 3914, which hit against the vehicle i.e. Swaraj Mazda Mini Bus bearing No.AP 13 W 8182 when it reached near Narayanadas Thota turning on N.H.No.205 (Putturu Road), due to which the claimant sustained injuries. Since it is a head-on collision, in the facts and circumstances of the case, the apportionment of liability 50:50 fixed by the Tribunal is in order and the same does not require any interference. The Tribunal has rightly assessed the compensation as per Exs.A2 to A23, which are salary slip, medical reports and bills. It is not in dispute that both the drivers of bus and lorry are having valid driving licenses and that the insurance policies of the said vehicles are in force at the time of accident. As such the contention of the learned standing counsel for the appellant - insurance

company cannot be countenanced and the appeal is liable to be dismissed.

Accordingly the appeal is dismissed, confirming the judgment dated 26.02.2016 passed in M.V.O.P.No.527 of 2009 by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-XIV Additional District and Sessions Judge, Ranga Reddy District at L.B.Nagar. There shall be no order as to costs. Miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in this appeal shall stand closed.

__________________________ T. AMARNATH GOUD, J 15.07.2019 kvrm