Gurmukh Singh v. Gurmej Singh And ORS.

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IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB & HARYANA

AT CHANDIGARH GURMUKH SINGH (SINCE DECEASED) THROUGH LRS ......Appellants Vs.

GURMEJ SINGH AND ORS.

......Respondents

Reserved on: 01.05.2026

Date of decision: 11.05.2026 Uploaded on: 15.05.2026 Whether only the operative part of the judgment is pronounced? NO Whether full judgment is pronounced?

YES CORAM: HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE SUDEEPTI SHARMA

Present:

Mr. Dinesh Maurya, Advocate for Mr. G.S. Sandhu, Advocate for the appellant.

None for respondents No.1 and 2.

Mr. Punit Jain, Advocate for respondent No.3-Insurance Company.

**** SUDEEPTI SHARMA J.

1.

The present appeal has been preferred against the award dated 17.12.2007 passed in the claim petition filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (in short '1988 Act'), by the learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Karnal (in short 'the Tribunal') for enhancement of compensation, granted to the appellant/claimant to the tune of Rs.97,000/- along with interest @ 7.5% per annum on account of injuries sustained by the appellant/claimant - Gurmukh Singh (since deceased) in a motor vehicular accident, occurred on 21.07.2005.

-22.

As sole issue for determination in the present appeal is confined to quantum of compensation awarded by the learned Tribunal, a detailed narration of the facts of the case is not required to be reproduced and is skipped herein for the sake of brevity.

SUBMISSIONS OF THE LEARNED COUNSELS FOR THE PARTIES 3.

The learned counsel for the appellant (legal heirs of deceased) contends that the compensation awarded by the learned Tribunal is on the lower side and deserves to be enhanced. Therefore, he prays that the present appeal be allowed and the compensation awarded to the claimant (since deceased) be enhanced, as per latest law.

4.

Per contra, learned counsel for the respondent No.3, however, vehemently argues on the lines of the award and contends that the amount of compensation as assessed by Ld. Tribunal is on the higher side. He, therefore, prays that the present appeal be dismissed.

5.

I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the whole record of this case with their able assistance. SETTLED LAW ON COMPENSATION 6.

Hon'ble Supreme Court has settled the law regarding grant of compensation with respect to the disability. The Apex Court in the case of Raj Kumar Vs. Ajay Kumar and Another (2011) 1 Supreme Court Cases 343, has held as under:- General principles relating to compensation in injury cases

5. The provision of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 ('Act' for short) makes it clear that the award must be just, which means that compensation should, to the extent possible, fully and adequately restore the claimant to the position prior to the accident. The object of awarding damages is to make good the loss suffered as a result of wrong done as far as money can do so, in a fair, reasonable and

-3equitable manner. The court or tribunal shall have to assess the damages objectively and exclude from consideration any speculation or fancy, though some conjecture with reference to the nature of disability and its consequences, is inevitable. A person is not only to be compensated for the physical injury, but also for the loss which he suffered as a result of such injury. This means that he is to be compensated for his inability to lead a full life, his inability to enjoy those normal amenities which he would have enjoyed but for the injuries, and his inability to earn as much as he used to earn or could have earned. (See C.K. Subramonia Iyer v. T. Kunhikuttan Nair, AIR 1970 Supreme Court 376, R.D. Hattangadi v. Pest Control (India) Ltd., 1995 (1) SCC 551 and Baker v. Willoughby, 1970 AC 467). 6.

The heads under which compensation is awarded in personal injury cases are the following :

Pecuniary damages (Special Damages) (i) Expenses relating to treatment, hospitalization, medicines, transportation, nourishing food, and miscellaneous expenditure. (ii) Loss of earnings (and other gains) which the injured would have made had he not been injured, comprising :

(a) Loss of earning during the period of treatment; (b) Loss of future earnings on account of permanent disability. (iii) Future medical expenses. Non-pecuniary damages (General Damages) (iv) Damages for pain, suffering and trauma as a consequence of the injuries.

(v) Loss of amenities (and/or loss of prospects of marriage). (vi) Loss of expectation of life (shortening of normal longevity). In routine personal injury cases, compensation will be awarded only under heads (i), (ii)(a) and (iv). It is only in serious cases of injury, where there is specific medical evidence corroborating the evidence of the claimant, that compensation will be granted under any of the heads (ii)(b), (iii), (v) and (vi) relating to loss of future earnings on account of permanent disability, future medical expenses, loss of amenities (and/or loss of prospects of marriage) and loss of expectation of life.

xxx xxx xxx xxx

19. We may now summarise the principles discussed above : (i) All injuries (or permanent disabilities arising from injuries), do not result in loss of earning capacity.

(ii) The percentage of permanent disability with reference to the whole body of a person, cannot be assumed to be the percentage of loss of earning capacity. To put it differently, the percentage of loss of earning capacity is not the same as the percentage of permanent disability (except in a few cases, where the Tribunal on the basis of evidence, concludes that percentage of loss of earning capacity is the same as percentage of permanent disability).

(iii) The doctor who treated an injured-claimant or who examined him subsequently to assess the extent of his permanent disability can give evidence only in regard the extent of permanent disability. The

-4loss of earning capacity is something that will have to be assessed by the Tribunal with reference to the evidence in entirety. (iv) The same permanent disability may result in different percentages of loss of earning capacity in different persons, depending upon the nature of profession, occupation or job, age, education and other factors.

20. The assessment of loss of future earnings is explained below with reference to the following Illustration 'A' : The injured, a workman, was aged 30 years and earning Rs. 3000/- per month at the time of accident. As per Doctor's evidence, the permanent disability of the limb as a consequence of the injury was 60% and the consequential permanent disability to the person was quantified at 30%. The loss of earning capacity is however assessed by the Tribunal as 15% on the basis of evidence, because the claimant is continued in employment, but in a lower grade. Calculation of compensation will be as follows: a) Annual income before the accident : Rs. 36,000/-. b) Loss of future earning per annum (15% of the prior annual income) : Rs. 5400/-. c) Multiplier applicable with reference to age : 17 d) Loss of future earnings : (5400 x 17) :

Rs. 91,800/- Illustration 'B' : The injured was a driver aged 30 years, earning Rs. 3000/- per month. His hand is amputated and his permanent disability is assessed at 60%. He was terminated from his job as he could no longer drive. His chances of getting any other employment was bleak and even if he got any job, the salary was likely to be a pittance. The Tribunal therefore assessed his loss of future earning capacity as 75%. Calculation of compensation will be as follows : a) Annual income prior to the accident : Rs. 36,000/- . b) Loss of future earning per annum (75% of the prior annual income) : Rs. 27000/-.

c) Multiplier applicable with reference to age : 17 d) Loss of future earnings : (27000 x 17) : Rs. 4,59,000/- Illustration 'C' : The injured was 25 years and a final year Engineering student. As a result of the accident, he was in coma for two months, his right hand was amputated and vision was affected. The permanent disablement was assessed as 70%. As the injured was incapacitated to pursue his chosen career and as he required the assistance of a servant throughout his life, the loss of future earning capacity was also assessed as 70%. The calculation of compensation will be as follows :

a) Minimum annual income he would have got if had been employed as an Engineer : Rs. 60,000/- b) Loss of future earning per annum

-5- (70% of the expected annual income) : Rs. 42000/- c) Multiplier applicable (25 years) : 18 d) Loss of future earnings : (42000 x 18) : Rs. 7,56,000/- [Note : The figures adopted in illustrations (A) and (B) are hypothetical. The figures in Illustration (C) however are based on actuals taken from the decision in Arvind Kumar Mishra (supra)]. 7.

Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of National Insurance Company Ltd. Vs. Pranay Sethi & Ors. [(2017) 16 SCC 680] has clarified the law under Sections 166, 163-A and 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, on the following aspects:- (A) Deduction of personal and living expenses to determine multiplicand;

(B) Selection of multiplier depending on age of deceased; (C) Age of deceased on basis for applying multiplier; (D) Reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely, loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses, with escalation; (E) Future prospects for all categories of persons and for different ages: with permanent job; self-employed or fixed salary. The relevant portion of the judgment is reproduced as under:- "

Therefore, we think it seemly to fix reasonable sums. It seems to us that reasonable figures on conventional heads, namely, loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenses should be Rs.15,000, Rs.40,000 and Rs.15,000 respectively. The principle of revisiting the said heads is an acceptable principle. But the revisit should not be fact-centric or quantum-centric. We think that it would be condign that the amount that we have quantified should be enhanced on percentage basis in every three years and the enhancement should be at the rate of 10% in a span of three years. We are disposed to hold so because that will bring in consistency in respect of those heads."

8.

Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Erudhaya Priya Vs. State Express Tran. Corpn. Ltd. 2020 ACJ 2159, has held as under:- " 7. There are three aspects which are required to be examined by us: (a) the application of multiplier of '17' instead of '18'; The aforesaid increase of multiplier is sought on the basis of age of the appellant as 23 years relying on the judgment in National Insurance Company Limited v. Pranay Sethi and Others, 2017 ACJ 2700 (SC). In para 46 of the said judgment, the Constitution Bench effectively affirmed the multiplier method to be used as mentioned in the table in the case of Sarla Verma (Smt) and Others v. Delhi

-6Transport Corporation and Another, 2009 ACJ 1298 (SC) . In the age group of 15-25 years, the multiplier has to be '18' along with factoring in the extent of disability.

The aforesaid position is not really disputed by learned counsel for the respondent State Corporation and, thus, we come to the conclusion that the multiplier to be applied in the case of the appellant has to be '18' and not '17'.

(b) Loss of earning capacity of the appellant with permanent disability of 31.1% In respect of the aforesaid, the appellant has claimed compensation on what is stated to be the settled principle set out in Jagdish v. Mohan & Others, 2018 ACJ 1011 (SC) and Sandeep Khanuja v. Atul Dande & Another, 2017 ACJ 979 (SC). We extract below the principle set out in the Jagdish (supra) in para 8: "8. In assessing the compensation payable the settled principles need to be borne in mind. A victim who suffers a permanent or temporary disability occasioned by an accident is entitled to the award of compensation. The award of compensation must cover among others, the following aspects: (i) Pain, suffering and trauma resulting from the accident; (ii) Loss of income including future income;

(iii) The inability of the victim to lead a normal life together with its amenities;

(iv) Medical expenses including those that the victim may be required to undertake in future; and (v) Loss of expectation of life."

[emphasis supplied] The aforesaid principle has also been emphasized in an earlier judgment, i.e. the Sandeep Khanuja case (supra) opining that the multiplier method was logically sound and legally well established to quantify the loss of income as a result of death or permanent disability suffered in an accident.

In the factual contours of the present case, if we examine the disability certificate, it shows the admission/hospitalization on 8 occasions for various number of days over 11⁄2 years from August 2011 to January 2013. The nature of injuries had been set out as under:

"Nature of injury:

(i) compound fracture shaft left humerus (ii) fracture both bones left forearm (iii) compound fracture both bones right forearm (iv) fracture 3rd, 4th & 5th metacarpals right hand (v) subtrochanteric fracture right femur (vi) fracture shaft femur (vii) fracture both bones left leg We have also perused the photographs annexed to the petition showing the current physical state of the appellant, though it is stated by learned counsel for the respondent State Corporation that the same was not on record in the trial court.

-7Be that as it may, this is the position even after treatment and the nature of injuries itself show their extent. Further, it has been opined in para 13 of Sandeep Khanuja case (supra) that while applying the multiplier method, future prospects on advancement in life and career are also to be taken into consideration.

We are, thus, unequivocally of the view that there is merit in the contention of the appellant and the aforesaid principles with regard to future prospects must also be applied in the case of the appellant taking the permanent disability as 31.1%. The quantification of the same on the basis of the judgment in National Insurance Co. Ltd. case (supra), more specifically para 61(iii), considering the age of the appellant, would be 50% of the actual salary in the present case. (c) The third and the last aspect is the interest rate claimed as 12% In respect of the aforesaid, the appellant has watered down the interest rate during the course of hearing to 9% in view of the judicial pronouncements including in the Jagdish's case (supra). On this aspect, once again, there was no serious dispute raised by the learned counsel for the respondent once the claim was confined to 9% in line with the interest rates applied by this Court.

CONCLUSION

8. The result of the aforesaid is that relying on the settled principles, the calculation of compensation by the appellant, as set out in para 5 of the synopsis, would have to be adopted as follows:

Heads Awarded Loss of earning power (Rs.14,648 x 12 x 31.1/100 Rs. 9,81,978/- Future prospects (50 per cent addition) Rs.4,90,989/- Medical expenses including transport charges, nourishment, etc.

Rs.18,46,864/- Loss of matrimonial prospects Rs.5,00,000/- Loss of comfort, loss of amenities and mental agony Rs.1,50,000/- Pain and suffering Rs.2,00,000/- Total Rs.41,69,831/-

-8The appellant would, thus, be entitled to the compensation of Rs. 41,69,831/- as claimed along with simple interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of application till the date of payment. 9.

A perusal of the award reveals that injured (since deceased) was stated to be an agriculturist and was running a tyre re-sole factory, of which he was the sole proprietor. In absence of any documentary evidence, the learned Tribunal assessed the income of the claimant (Since deceased) as Rs.3,000/- by guess work without taking into consideration his work, which is on the lower side. This Court deems it fit to reassess the same by placing reliance on his occupation. 10.

It is a settled position of law, as laid down by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Chandra @ Chanda @ Chandraram v. Mukesh Kumar Yadav & Ors., reported as (2022) 1 SCC 198, that in cases where there is no documentary evidence of income, the minimum wages notification may be adopted as a guiding factor, but the same cannot be treated as an inflexible or absolute standard. The Court has further held that a reasonable amount of guesswork, based on the facts and circumstances of each case, is permissible and indeed necessary while assessing the income of the deceased.

11.

Further reliance can be made to the recent judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in K. Ramya v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. (Law Finder Doc ID No. 2042849), wherein the Apex Court reiterated that the Motor Vehicles Act is a beneficial legislation and envisages the grant of just and fair compensation so as to meet the ends of justice.

12.

The relevant portion of the award is reproduced as under: "11. At the outset, it is pertinent to reiterate the concept of `just' compensation under Section 168 of the Act. It is a settled

-9proposition, now through a catena of decisions[4*] including the one rendered by the Constitution Bench in Pranay Sethi[5*] that compensation must be fair, reasonable and equitable. Further, the determination of quantum is a factdependent exercise which must be liberal and not parsimonious. It must be emphasized that compensation is a more comprehensive form of pecuniary relief which involves a broad-based approach unlike damages as noted by this court in Yadava Kumar v. Divisional Manager, National Insurance Co. Ltd (2010) 10 SCC 341, para 17. The discussion in the abovementioned cases highlights that Tribunals under the Act have been granted reasonable flexibility in determining `just' compensation and are not bound by any rigid arithmetic rules or strict evidentiary standards to compute loss unlike in the case of damages. Hence, any interference by the Appellate Courts should ordinarily be allowed only when the compensation is `exorbitant' or `arbitrary'.

12. Furthermore, Motor Vehicles Act of 1988 is a beneficial and welfare legislation that seeks to provide compensation as per the contemporaneous position of an individual which is essentially forward-looking.[8*] Unlike tortious liability, which is chiefly concerned with making up for the past and reinstating a claimant to his original position, the compensation under the Act is concerned with providing stability and continuity in peoples' lives in the future.[9*] Keeping the abovementioned principles in the backdrop, we now move on to the facts at hand."

13.

In view of the above referred to judgment and considering the facts and circumstances of the present case, this Court deems it appropriate to reassess the income of the claimant (since deceased) at Rs.10,000/- per month.

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A further perusal of the record shows that the learned Tribunal has awarded the compensation on the lower side to the claimant under the heads of Pain and suffering, which is required to be enhanced. 15.

It is trite that permanent disability suffered by an individual not only impairs his cognitive abilities and his physical facilities, but there are multiple non-quantifiable implications for the victim. Further, the very fact that healthy person turns into invalid being deprived of normal companionship and incapable of leading a productive life makes one suffer loss of dignity. As per the facts of the case the claimant (since deceased) suffered grievous injuries on his person including fracture on upper tibia and multiple fractures on his left chest. Furthermore, he also suffered fracture of both bones of leg on the right side due to which his right leg was shortened 1/2 inches. PW-4 Dr. Rakesh Girdhar assessed the disability of the claimant (since deceased) as 26% on account of abovementioned disability. This fairly concludes the fact that the claimant (since deceased) has suffered immense amount of pain and agony due to the accident in question.

16.

The Hon'ble Apex Court in the case of 'KS Muralidhar versus R Subbulakshmi and another 2024 INSC 886 highlighted the intangible but devastating consequence of pain and suffering. The relevant portion of the same is reproduce as under:- "15. Keeping in view the above-referred judgments, the injuries suffered, the `pain and suffering' caused, and the life-long nature of the disability afflicted upon the claimant-appellant, and the statement of the Doctor as reproduced above, we find the request of the claimant-appellant to be justified and as

-11such, award Rs.15,00,000/- under the head `pain and suffering', fully conscious of the fact that the prayer of the claimant-appellant for enhancement of compensation was by a sum of Rs. 10,00,000/-, we find the compensation to be just, fair and reasonable at the amount so awarded." 17.

Therefore, in view of the above judgment and facts and circumstances of the present case, this Court deems it appropriate to grant compensation of Three lakhs under the heads of pain and suffering. 18.

A further perusal of the award reveals that the claimant has passed away during the pendency of the appeal, therefore, the amount awarded for his pain and suffering became part of his estate and he is liable to the compensation awarded above even after his death.

19.

The legal position on this issue stands conclusively settled by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Dhannalal @ Dhanraj (Dead) v. Nasir Khan, 2025 INSC 1177. The Apex Court authoritatively held that the amounts computed towards medical expenses-both incurred and future-as well as expenses for a personal attendant and the amount awarded under the head of pain and suffering, are liable to be sustained where the injured victim survived for a considerable period after the accident. In such circumstances, the Court observed that these amounts, having accrued during the lifetime of the injured, form part of the estate of the injured-victim. Consequently, upon the death of the injured, the legal heirs are legally entitled to recover the said amounts as representatives of the estate. 20.

The relevant extract of the aforesaid judgment is reproduced hereunder:

-12- "12. The award of the Tribunal as modified and enhanced by the High Court determined a total award of Rs.5,52,095/- as computed under mental agony, pain and suffering, nourishment, transportation and medical expenses, incurred and future, as also expenses for a personal attendant which has to be sustained, since the injured had lived for 11 years after the accident, in a vegetative state. That has already become a part of the estate of the injured-victim."

21.

A further perusal of the award reveals that the learned Tribunal has awarded Rs.38,400/- to the claimant on account of his disability. This amount has rightly been granted by the learned Tribunal as a separate head from the loss of future income, therefore, this amount has rightly been awarded and no interference is warranted in this regard. Reliance at this stage can be placed upon the judgment of Apex Court titled as Kavin vs. P. Sreemani Devi, (SC) 2025 INSC 1028. The relevant portion of the same is reproduced as under:- "13. The Claims Tribunal further granted an amount of Rs. 3 lacs towards permanent disability suffered by the claimant. This was after taking into consideration the 100% disability suffered by the claimant.

The High Court however set aside the grant of compensation under this head by observing that as compensation towards loss of income had been granted, further amount of Rs. 3 lacs towards permanent disability was not admissible. We do not find any basis whatsoever for this approach of the High Court. The grant of compensation for loss of future income is a distinct head from the one under which compensation is granted for permanent disability. In the light of the fact that the claimant suffered 100% permanent disability and was living in a vegetative state, the High Court was not justified in setting aside the grant of compensation under this head.

-13disability suffered by the claimant, he would be entitled to amount of Rs. 5 lacs under this head."

22.

A further perusal of the award reveals that the learned Tribunal has erred in assessing the disability of the claimant (since deceased) at only 13% qua his whole body. This finding is contrary to the medical evidence placed on record. The disability certificate assessed by PW-4 clearly records that the claimant (since deceased) was examined and assessed by Dr. Rakesh Girdhar (PW-4), who opined that the claimant (since deceased) has suffered 26% permanent disability qua his particular limb on account of malunited fracture both bones right leg with VIC. Due to the said injuries, his right leg was shortened by 1/2 inches. Furthermore, the claimant (since deceased) shall be unable to perform any physical work involving walking, standing, or prolonged movement throughout her lifetime. The impairment has a direct and adverse impact on her functional ability and significantly diminishes her prospects of securing gainful employment in the future.

23.

It is a settled principle of law that while determining compensation, the functional disability and its impact on the victim's earning capacity must be given due weight, rather than mechanically reducing the percentage of medical disability. In this regard, reliance is placed on the judgment of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Rahul Ganpatrao Sable v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. 2023(9) scale 970, wherein, the Apex Court held that in cases where the nature of the disability effectively incapacitates a person from pursuing any meaningful employment, the functional disability must be evaluated in terms of the resultant loss of earning capacity, and not merely on the basis of medical assessment. The relevant portion of the judgment is reproduced as under:

-14- "14. The five injuries which are permanent in nature apparently make him unfit for any employment even though the disability may be 60% or 85%. The compression fractures of seven cervical vertebra resulting into Paraplegia and further loss of bladder function make it absolutely impossible for a person to work and be gainfully employed. Considering the nature of disability, loss of income, is, thus, held to be 100% and not 50% as held by the High Court."

24.

Therefore, in order to serve the ends of justice, the functional disability of the claimant (since deceased) deserves to be assessed at 26%, and the compensation ought to be recalculated accordingly. 25.

A further perusal of the award reveals that the learned Tribunal has erred in not adding any amount of future prospects to the income of the claimant, therefore, as per settled law 10% is to be added as future prospects. Furthermore, the learned Tribunal erred in applying the multiplier, therefore, as per the settled law, multiplier of 11 would be applicable.

26.

A further perusal of the award reveals that meager amount is granted by the learned Tribunal under the head of transportation and special diet. Furthermore, no amount was granted for attendant and loss of amenities of life. Therefore, the award requires indulgence of this Court. RELIEF 27.

In view of the above, the present appeal is allowed and award dated 17.12.2007 is modified. Accordingly, as per the settled principles of law as laid down by Hon'ble Supreme Court as mentioned above, the appellants (legal heirs of deceased) are held entitled to the enhanced amount of compensation as calculated below:-

-15Sr. No. Heads Compensation Awarded Income Rs.10,000/- Loss of future prospects (10%) Rs.1,000/- (10% of Rs.10,000/-) Annual Income Rs.1,32,000/- (Rs.11,000/- X 12) Loss of future earning on account of 26% disability Rs.34,320/- (Rs.1,32,000/- X 26%) Multiplier of 11 Rs.3,77,520/- (Rs.34,320/-X 11) Medical Expenses Rs.60,000/- Pain and suffering Rs.3,00,000/- Attendant Charges Rs.50,000/- Transportation Charges Rs.50,000/- Disability Rs.38,400/- Loss of amenities of life Rs.1,00,000/- Special Diet Rs.1,00,000/- Total Amount Rs.10,75,920/- Rs.7,53,144/- (on account of 30 : 70 Contributory negligence) Amount awarded by learned Tribunal on account of contributory negligence on the ratio of 30 : 70:- Rs.97,000/- Enhanced amount of compensation Rs. 6,56,144/- (7,53,144- 97,000) 28.

So far as the interest part is concerned, as held by Hon'ble Supreme Court in Dara Singh @ Dhara Banjara Vs. Shyam Singh Varma 2019 ACJ 3176 and R.Valli and Others VS. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (2022) 5 Supreme Court Cases 107, the amount so calculated shall carry an interest @ 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition, till the date of realization. 29.

Respondent No.3-Insurance Company is directed to deposit the enhanced amount along with interest with the Tribunal within a period of two

-16months from the date of receipt of copy of this judgment. The Tribunal is directed to disburse the enhanced amount of compensation along with interest to the appellants (legal heirs of deceased) in equal ratio. 30.

Pending application(s), if any, also stand disposed of. (SUDEEPTI SHARMA) JUDGE 11.05.2026 Ayub/Sahil Whether speaking/non-speaking : Speaking Whether reportable : Yes/No