The Branch Manager v. Meenakshi

BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 15.06.2026

CORAM:

THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE N.ANAND VENKATESH AND THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN C.M.A(MD)Nos.1269 of 2025 and CMP (MD) No.17654 of 2025 The Branch Manager IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance Company Ltd., KBS Arcade, No.2, 2nd Floor, 4/1044, Kovai Main Road, Karur District - 639002.

... Appellant Vs.

1. Meenakshi

2. S.Palanisamy ... Respondents PRAYER:- Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act to set aside the Judgment and Decree dated 25th June, 2025 passed in MCOP No.168 of 2023 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal/Chief Judicial Magistrate of Karur by 1/8

allowing this appeal.

For Appellant : Mr.V.Sakthivel For Respondents : Mr.K.Suresh Kumar for R1

J U D G M E N T

(Judgment of the Court was delivered by N.ANAND VENKATESH, J.) This appeal has been filed by the Insurance Company challenging the award passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal/Chief Judicial Magistrate, Karur, in MCOP No. 168 of 2023 dated 25.06.2024.

2. The first respondent is the claimant. The case of the respondent is that on 15.01.2023, at about 9.30 p.m., the first respondent was a pedestrian on the road and at that point of time, the driver of the two-wheeler belonging to the second respondent herein was driven in a rash and negligent manner and dashed behind the first respondent, as a 2/8

result of which, the deceased sustained grievous injuries and was taken to the Apollo Hospital, Karur and subsequently to KMC Hospital, Coimbatore, where she was admitted as an in-patient. In this regard, an FIR came to be registered in Crime No 24 of 2023. It is under these circumstances, the claim petition came to be filed before this Tribunal.

3. The Tribunal, on considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on appreciation of oral and documentary evidence, came to a conclusion that the accident had taken place only due to the rash and negligent driving on the part of the offending vehicle.

4. Having rendered such finding, the Tribunal fixed the total compensation at Rs.2,77,194/-under the following heads: Head Amount Towards Disability Rs.50,000/- Towards Pain & Suffering Rs.50,000/- Towards Extra nourishment Rs.5000/- Towards Attender Charges Rs.5000/- Towards Travel Expenses Rs.14,800/- 3/8

Towards Loss of amenities Rs.10,000/- Towards Loss of Income Rs.20,000/- Towards Medical Expenses Rs.1,22,394/- Total Rs.2,77,194/-

5. The above compensation was directed to be paid along with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum. However, considering the fact that the driver of the offending vehicle did not posses a valid driving license, pay and recover was ordered.

6. The Insurance Company has filed the present appeal mainly on the ground that the driver of the offending vehicle respondent did not possess a valid driving license and therefore, pay and recover ought not to have been ordered.

7. This Court carefully considered the submissions made by the learned counsel appearing for the appellant and also the award passed by the Tribunal.

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8. The ground that was taken by the learned counsel appearing for the appellant is to the effect that the Tribunal ought not to have ordered for pay and recover. The said ground is squarely covered by the judgment of this Court in a batch of appeals in CMA.(MD).No.517 of 2025 etc, dated 01.06.2026. Hence, this Court does not find any illegality in the order passed by the Tribunal applying the principle of pay and recover.

9. Insofar as the quantum of compensation is concerned, this Court finds that the Tribunal has granted a just and reasonable compensation and it does not require the interference of this Court.

10. It is brought to the notice of this court by the learned counsel appearing for the Insurance Company that the entire award amount has already been deposited before the Tribunal.

11. In the result, this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal stands dismissed. The Claimants will be entitled to withdraw the compensation 5/8

amount in the proportion as fixed by the tribunal. No costs. Consequently, connected Miscellaneous Petition is closed. [N.A.V., J.] [K.K.R.K., J.] 15.06.2026 NCC :Yes/No Index :Yes/No PKN 6/8

To 1.Motor Accident Claims Tribunal/Chief Judicial Magistrate of Karur.

2.The Record Keeper (Vernacular Records), Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.

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N. ANAND VENKATESH,J.

AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN,J.

PKN 15.06.2026 8/8