New India Assurance Co Ltd v. Neeraj & Ors

Delhi High Court · 31 Oct 2013 · 2013:DHC:5604
Suresh Kait
MAC.APP. 778/2010
2013:DHC:5604
civil appeal_allowed

AI Summary

The Delhi High Court allowed the insurer's appeal by increasing the deduction towards personal expenses from one-fourth to one-third in a motor accident claim, thereby reducing the compensation payable to the claimants.

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MAC.APP. 778/2010
HIGH COURT OF DELHI
JUDGMENT
delivered on: 31st October, 2013
MAC.APP. 778/2010
NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO LTD. ..... Appellant Represented by: Mr. Kunal Rawat, Adv.
versus
NEERAJ & ORS ..... Respondents Represented by: Mr. Neeraj Kumar, Adv. for R1 and R2.
CORAM:
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURESH KAIT SURESH KAIT, J. (Oral)

1. Instant appeal has been preferred against the impugned award dated 30.07.2010, whereby ld. Tribunal, while granting compensation in favour of the respondents / claimants, has deducted 1/4th towards the personal expenses.

2. Ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant argued that Veer Chand, father of the deceased, who appeared as PW[4] was working in Railway and earning Rs.11,000/- per month. This fact has been admitted by the father of the deceased in his cross-examination. Thus, he was not dependent upon the deceased. 2013:DHC:5604 MAC.APP. 778/2010

3. I note, ld. Tribunal has considered 4 dependents, i.e., wife, daughter and parents. Accordingly, deducted 1/4th towards personal expenses.

4. Ld. Counsel appearing on behalf of the respondents / claimants does not dispute the fact submitted by the counsel for the appellant. Therefore, I deduct 1/3rd instead of 1/4th towards personal expenses and accordingly, the compensation comes as under:

1. Loss of dependency Rs.3237.90x12x17: Rs.6,60,531.60/-

2. Loss of Love and Affection: Rs. 40,000/-

3. Loss of consortium: Rs. 10,000/-

4. Loss of Estate: Rs. 10,000/-

5. Funeral expenses: Rs. 25,000/- Total: Rs.7,45,531.60/- 5 Hence, the compensation amount comes to Rs.7,78,100 – Rs.7,45,531.60 = Rs.22,568.40/-

6. Accordingly, Instant appeal stands allowed on the above terms.

7. Consequently, the Registrar General of this court is directed to release the balance compensation amount in favour of the respondents / claimants on taking steps.

8. Statutory amount and excess amount, if any, be released in favour of the appellant.

SURESH KAIT, J OCTOBER 31, 2013 jg