United India Insurance Company Ltd. v. Uma Chowdhuri And ORS

In The High Court At Calcutta Civil Appellate Jurisdiction Appellate Side Present:- The Hon'ble Justice Ananya Bandyopadhyay FMA 386 of 2024 United India Insurance Company Ltd.

v.

Uma Chowdhuri & Ors.

Ms. Sucharita Paul ... for the appellant/insurance company.

Mr. Saidur Rahaman ... for the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants. Heard on: March 20, 2025.

Judgment on: March 25, 2025.

Ananya Bandyopadhyay, J:-

1. The Learned Advocates representing the respective parties are present.

2. The instant appeal had been preferred against the impugned judgment and award dated 31st July 2023 passed by the Learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Judge, 5th Court, Malda in MAC Case No.223 of 2018.

3. An application under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act had been filed by the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants on account of the death of the victim on 8th October, 2017 due to an accident with the involvement of the offending vehicle being a tractor bearing registration No.WB-65/9341, which approached from Kaliachak towards

Khaschandpur at high speed and collided with the victim, who suffered grievous injuries and succumbed to the same at Silampur Rural Hospital.

4. The Learned Advocate representing the appellant/insurance company submitted that the multiplier method was not considered by the Learned Tribunal while assessing the compensation. However, a composite sum of Rs.5,00,000/- was granted along with an interest at the rate of 7% per annum, which was excessive.

5. The Learned Advocate representing the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants submitted that in view of the notification dated 22nd May, 2018 as well as the observation of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in Hon'ble High Court in Urmila Halder v. The New India Assurance Company Ltd, the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants are entitled to a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- as rightly assessed by the Learned Tribunal. 6.

Since, the occurrence of the accident, involvement of the offending vehicle, the driving license, Insurance certificate etc. are not disputed by the Learned Advocate representing the appellant/insurance company, this Court restricts itself only to the extent of granting compensation considering the judgment of the Hon'ble High Court in Urmila Halder v. The New India Assurance Company Ltd1. and the same being affirmed by the Supreme Court in Special Leave Petition2 and the notification dated 22nd May, 2018, the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants are entitled to Rs.5,00,000/- of just compensation with regard to second schedule 1(a) and 1 2019(2)TAC 143 2 Special Leave Petition(Civil) No. 6260 of 2019

notification dated 22nd May, 2018 and also the aforesaid observations of the High Court at Calcutta and the Hon'ble Supreme Court.

The second schedule 1(a) is as follows: - "Fatal Accidents:

Compensation payable in case of Death shall be five lakh rupees."

7.

It was further submitted by the Learned Advocate for the appellant/insurance company that the Appellant/Insurance Company submits to have deposited a sum of Rs. 6,65,205/-=(Rs. 25,000 + Rs. 6,40,205/-) through two separate cheques as per challan filed by the Learned Advocate representing the appellant/insurance company.

8.

The respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants are entitled to receive the balance amount of Rs. 5,00,000/- interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of filing of the claim application under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act till the date of actual realization.

9.

The office of the Registrar General, High Court, Calcutta shall encash the cheques and, thereafter, disburse the same to the present respondent Nos. 1 to 4 /claimants in equal share, as mentioned in the award passed by the Learned Motor Accident Claims Tribunal Judge, 5th Court, Malda in MAC Case No.223 of 2018 on proof of proper identification of the respondent Nos. 1 to 4/claimants subject to payment of ad valorem Courts fees and refund the amount, if any, through a cheque to the Learned Advocate representing the appellant/insurance company for the accounts of the insurance company. 10.

The interest generated on the sum deposited by the appellant/insurance company at the office of the Learned Registrar General, High Court at Calcutta, which has already been deposited in the Nationalized Bank by the office of the Learned Registrar General, High Court at Calcutta is to be apportioned and the sum of

interest accrued on the aforesaid amount is to be disbursed in favour of the appellant/insurance company.

11.

The instant appeal is disposed of accordingly. 12.

The interim order if any stand vacated.

13.

Copy of the order be sent to the Department as well as the concerned tribunal as expeditiously as possible.

(Ananya Bandyopadhyay, J.) S.R.