M.Saraswathi v. J.Balaji
HIGH COURT LEGAL SERVICES COMMITTEE, CHENNAI National Lok Adalat organised by the High Court Legal Services Committee Saturday, the 13th day of June, 2026 LOK ADALAT AWARD (Chapter VI and u/s 21 of Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987) Presided over by:
The Hon'ble Mr.JUSTICE P.VELMURUGAN and Members:
Mr.N.Balasubramanian, District Judge (Retired) Mrs.V.Ambiga (Advocate) C.M.A.No.2800 of 2025 (Appeal against the judgment and decree passed on 11.09.2024 in M.C.O.P.No.2452 of 2022 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, / Special Sub Court No.1, Court of Small Causes, Chennai. 1.M.Saraswathi 2.M.Venkatesh 3.S.Devi 4.M.Anjali .. Appellants /versus/ 1.J.Balaji 2.United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Motor III Party Claims Office, Shillingi Building, 134 Greams Road, Chennai - 600 006.
.. Respondents This case is taken up for settlement before the National Lok Adalat. Both the parties are present. Mr.U.Chithambaram, learned counsel appearing for the appellants / claimants and Mr.D.Bhaskaran, learned counsel appearing for the second respondent/Insurance Company are present. After mutual discussion, negotiation, mediation and conciliation between both parties, they arrived at a compromise to settle the matter as follows: TERMS OF SETTLEMENT The Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.13,53,300/- as compensation, together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of the claim petition till the date of deposit.
2. This is the case of fatal accident. Challenging the award passed by the Tribunal and seeking enhancement of compensation, the claimants have preferred the present appeal.
3. During the course of the proceedings, the parties have arrived at an amicable settlement. It has been agreed by both parties that, over and above the amount awarded by the Tribunal, a further sum of Rs.4,50,000/- (Rupees Four Lakhs and Fifty Thousand only) shall be paid to the appellants/claimants in full quit. Accordingly, the second respondent/Insurance Company is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation of Rs.4,50,000/- within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this order.
4. It is represented that, pending disposal of the appeal, the first claimant, Saraswathi, passed away and a memo to that effect has been filed. It is further represented that the deceased first claimant was the mother of claimants 2 to 4. Upon deposit of the enhanced compensation, claimants 2 to 4 are permitted to withdraw their respective shares in equal proportions, without furnishing any security. The share that would have fallen to the deceased first claimant, Saraswathi, shall also be divided equally among claimants 2 to 4.
5. The Tribunal shall disburse the enhanced compensation to the parties concerned through RTGS/electronic transfer, upon proper identification and in accordance with the terms of this award, without insisting upon the filing of any formal application.
6. The Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is disposed of in terms of the above settlement. An award is passed accordingly. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions, if any, are closed.
1.M.Saraswathi 2.M.Venkatesh 3.S.Devi 4.M.Anjali Counsel for the Appellant United India Insurance Co. Ltd., Motor III Party Claims Office, Shillingi Building, 134 Greams Road, Chennai - 600 006.
Counsel for the 2nd respondent This Lok Adalat award is passed in terms of the above settlement. The full Court fee paid shall be refunded to the appellant in the manner provided under Section 69-A of the Tamil Nadu Court-Fees and Suits Valuation Act, 1955 and the Court Fees Act, 1870 as provided for under sub Sec.1 of Section 21 r/w 25 of LSA Act 1987 as amended in 1994. Judge Member Member
P.VELMURUGAN, J.
r n s To:The parties/Advocate concerned Copy to:
1.The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, / Special Sub Court No.1, Court of Small Causes, Chennai.
2.The Secretary, High Court Legal Services Committee, Chennai. 3.The Section Officer, V.R.Section, High Court, Madras. 4.The Section Officer, Lok Adalat Section, High Court, Madras.+2 copies C.M.A.No.2800 of 2025 13.06.2026