High Court of Punjab and HaryanaFAO/3735/2005disposed of

Ompati Devi & ANR v. Dharam Pal & ORS

2026-04-07Mr. Justice Yashvir Singh Rathor9 pages

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It is pertinent to mention that the record of the present appeal and the Tribunal has got burnt in a fire incident in the High Court Branch and the present appeal has to be decided on the basis of the facts and evidence discussed by the Tribunal in the impugned award.

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Whether the accident in question resulting into death of Ishwar Singh dated 24.11.1999 took place due to rash and negligent driving of Bus No.HR-08/8091 by respondent No.1?OPP 2.

If issue No.1 is proved, the claimants are entitled to compensation on account of death of Ishwar Singh, if so to what amount and from whom?OPP 3.

Whether the claimants are estopped from filing the petition by their own act and conduct?OPR

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Whether the claimants have no locus standi to file the present petition?OPR 5.

Whether the present petition is not maintainable?OPR 6.

Whether the driver of the offending bus was not holding a valid driving licence at the time of accident?OPR4 7.

Relief."

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15.

Hon'ble Supreme Court in Ram Murti's case (supra) has held as under:- "7. The provisions of Section 140 which formed a part of Chapter 10 of the Motor Vehicles Act 1988 were omitted by Act 32 of 2019. Simultaneously, Chapter 11 was substituted of which Section 164 provides for payment of compensation in the case of death in the amount of Rs.5,00,000/- and in the case of grievous hurt of Rs.2,50,000/-.

8. We are inclined to give the appellants the benefit of the beneficial provisions which have been enacted by Parliament. Hence, in modification of the order of the High Court, we direct that the appellants shall be entitled to an amount of Rs.5,00,000/- as compensation. However, if the amount of Rs.50,000 which has been awarded by the High Court has already been paid over, the balance (or the entirety of Rs.5,00,000/- if no amount has been paid) shall be paid over to the appellants by 30 November 2022." 16..

In Ram Murti's case (supra), the petition was filed under Section 166 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which had been dismissed and the accident had taken place before Section 164 of Act came into existence. However, Hon'ble Supreme Court observed that the Motor Vehicles Act is a beneficial provision and

? applied the beneficial provision of Section 164 of Motor Vehicles Act retrospectively in cases of no-fault liability under Section 163-A and awarded a lump sum compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- to the claimants in a death case. *

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19.

Registry is directed to email the authenticated copy of the award to the respondent Insurance Company in terms of directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Writ Petition (Civil) No.534 of 2020 titled Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Company Versus Union of India and others, decided on 16.03.2021 and Insurance Company shall comply with the directions as issued under Clause (F) of the said judgment.

20.

Pending misc. application(s), if any, shall also stand disposed of. !#(1/'2')71 #$12 ;07% .2'3 8

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