The New India Assurance Co. Ltd., Buldhana Thr. Its Regional Manager, Nagpur v. Smt. Vandana Bhimrao Jadhav And Others

2025:BHC-NAG:561 1 21-J-FA-623-2018.doc

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY,

NAGPUR BENCH, NAGPUR.

FIRST APPEAL NO. 623 OF 2018 APPELLANT :

The New India Assurance Co. Ltd.

(Ori.Respondent No.2) Buldhana, Through its Regional (On R.A.) Manager, Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Bhavan, M.E.C.L. Premises, Seminary Hills, Nagpur.

V E R S U S RESPONDENTS :

1. Smt. Vandana Bhimrao Jadhav, (Ori. Petitioners) Age 30 years, Occu-Household, (On R.A.)

2. Rupesh Bhimrao Jadhav, Age 16 years, Occ. Education.

3. Umesh Bhimrao Jadhav, Age 14 Years, Occ. Education, Respondents No.1 to 3 are resident of Amdapur Tq. Chikhali, Dist. Buldhana.

4. M/s Astech (India) Pvt. Ltd. (Dismissed) Through its Manager, R/o 30 Popatwadi, Kalbadevi Road, Princes Street, Mumbai 400002.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Shri Sandeep Marathe, Advocate for appellant. Shri S. P. Pawar, Advocate for respondent Nos.1 and 3. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Appeal is dismissed in default against R-4 as per Registrar (J) order dtd. 30/04/19.

CORAM:- SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE , J.

DATED : 15/01/2025.

ORAL JUDGMENT :

1.

Heard finally with consent of learned Counsel appearing on behalf of the rival parties at admission stage.

2 21-J-FA-623-2018.doc 2.

The appellant - Insurance Company has filed this appeal against the assessment of compensation done by the learned Tribunal, mainly on the ground that the leaned Tribunal wrongly awarded compensation to the respondent Nos.1 to 3 - claimants under the head of love and affection even after granting compensation under the head of consortium. Further, the learned counsel for the Insurance Company submitted that the amount of consortium is also granted in exorbitant manner contrary to the observations of Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance Company Limited Vrs. Pranay Sethi and others, reported in (2017) 16 SCC 680. He is also having grievance about granting excessive amount under other heads.

3.

Consequently, learned counsel for the Respondents / Claimants today submitted modified calculation in respect of compensation, which is to be awarded to the respondent Nos.1 to 3 - claimants as per observations of Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of United India Insurance Company Limited Vrs. Satinder Kaur Alias Satwinder Kaur and others, reported in (2021) 11 SCC

780. The said calculation is taken on record and marked as "X" for identification.

3 21-J-FA-623-2018.doc 4.

The learned counsel for appellant / Insurance Company submitted at bar that the impugned award may be modified as per the calculation. In view of the submissions made by the learned counsel for the claimants, the appeal stands partly allowed and the compensation amount granted by the learned Tribunal in the impugned award stands modified as below :- i] Income : Rs.4,000/- per month.

ii] Future Prospects : Rs.1,600/- @ 40%.

Rs.4,000/- + Rs.1,600/- = Rs.5,600/-.

iii] Deduction towards personal expenditure : Rs.1,866/- (1/3 deduction of Rs.5,600/- as having 3 dependants). iv] Total Income : Rs.3,734/- per month.

v] Multiplier : 15 vi] Loss of Future Income : Rs.6,72,120/- (Rs.3,734/- X 12 X 15) vii] Deduction of NFL : Rs.6,72,120/- - Rs.50,000/- = Rs.6,22,120/- viii] Consortium : Rs.1,20,000/- (Rs.40,000/- Each for R. 1 to 3) ix] Loss of Estate : Rs.15,000/-.

x] Funeral Expenses : Rs.15,000/-.

xi] Total Compensation : Rs.7,72,120/-.

xii] Interest @ 9% p.a. : Rs.7,72,120/- X 9 - 100 = Rs.69,490/- per year.

xiii] Total Interest : Rs.69,490/- X 5 Y. 10 M. = Rs.4,05,362/-. (i.e. From 16/08/2012 to 18/06/2018).

xiv] Total compensation along with interest :

Rs.7,72,120/- + Rs.4,05,362/- = Rs.11,77,482/-

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The aforesaid amount of compensation shall carry the same interest as granted by the learned Tribunal. The award be prepared accordingly.

6.

It appears that the respondents - claimants during the pendency of this appeal have withdrawn 50% of the amount of compensation deposited by the appellant - Insurance Company. 7.

In view of modified amount of compensation, the appellant - Insurance Company is permitted to withdraw the additional amount of compensation after the calculation along with the interest accrued thereon till date.

8.

The balance amount of compensation be paid to the respondent Nos. 1 to 3 - claimants in equal proportion along with proportionate interest accrued thereon, as per the apportionment done by the learned Tribunal.

9.

The appeal, along with pending Civil Application (CAF) No.3406/2024, stands disposed of.

[SANDIPKUMAR C. MORE, J.] Choulwar