High Court · 2025

C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS Dated : 18.12.2025CORAM:THE HONOURABLE MRS.JUSTICE R.KALAIMATHIC.M.A.No.2680 of 20251.Praveenkumar2.Pradeep Kumar (Minor) rep. by his brother, 1st petitioner as Natural Guardian and Next Friend.3.Bhagyamma4.Gangaiah ... Appellantsvs.1.Boya Kesalu2.The Oriental Insurance Company Limited, Oriental House, 2nd Floor, Old No.115, New No.216, Prakasam Road, Broadway, Chennai – 600 018. ... RespondentsPRAYER: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is filed under Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, to enhance the amount awarded in MCOP No.7885 of 2018 dated 28.03.2022 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (In the II Court of Small Causes, Chennai).For Appellants: Mr.K.VaradhakamarajFor Respondents : Mr.J.Chandran for R21/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025J U D G M E N TNot being satisfied with the Award passed in M.C.O.P.No.7885 of 2018 dated 28.03.2022 on the file of the the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (In the II Court of Small Causes, Chennai), the legal heirs of one Gangadhar have filed this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal for enhancement of compensation.2. By consent, this civil miscellaneous appeal is taken up for final disposal at the admission stage itself.3. Parties are indicated herein as per their litigative status and ranking before the Tribunal.4. Heard the arguments of the learned counsel for the appellant and learned counsel for the second respondent. Perused the relevant records.5.The claim petition was filed under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, claiming compensation of Rs.45,00,000/- for the death of one Gangadhar, who succumbed to the injuries in a road traffic accident that took place on 02.12.2018.2/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 20256. The Tribunal upon consideration of oral and documentary evidence and after hearing the arguments advanced by either side, granted compensation of Rs.24,38,000/- with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of claim petition and the amounts granted under various heads are given hereunder:-“Towards loss of dependency Rs.23,62,500/-, towards loss of estate Rs.15,000/-, towards loss of love and affection Rs.44,000/-, towards funeral expenses Rs.16,500/-, totally a sum of Rs.24,38,000/- is granted.”7. The learned counsel for the appellants/claimants strenuously argued that the deceased was working as a driver in the Government of Kuwait and earning a sum of Rs.35,000/- per month, but the Tribunal had fixed the monthly income at Rs.15,000/-, which is inadequate, and therefore sought for enhancement of compensation. 8. Per contra, the learned counsel for the second respondent/Insurance Company submitted that no proof was produced to show that the deceased was working in Kuwait and no other concrete evidence was marked. Therefore, the Tribunal fixed the notional monthly income of the deceased at Rs.15,000/-, which is reasonable. He further argued that, taking into account the age, avocation of the deceased, and 3/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025other relevant details, the amount awarded by the Tribunal appears to be reasonable and sought confirmation of the quantum of compensation granted by the Tribunal.9. It has come on record through the evidence of P.W.1, Praveenkumar, that the deceased, who was his father, was working in a private agency in Kuwait and earning a sum of Rs.35,000/- per month. Ex.P.4 is the passport of the deceased, which reflects that he had visited Kuwait. Ex.P.5 is the driving licence of the deceased issued by the Government of Kuwait. However, no document has been marked to establish the proof of income of the deceased at the relevant point of time. The date of the accident is 02.12.2018. As per Ex.P.4 (Passport), the age of the deceased at the relevant point of time is taken as 44 years. Though no concrete evidence, such as Bank Passbook or pay slip, was produced, this Court, considering the above details, deems it fit to fix the monthly income of the deceased at Rs.18,000/-.10. As held by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi and others, 2017 (2) TN MAC 609 (SC), 25% of 4/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025the income is to be added towards future prospects while computing the loss of dependency. Further, as held in Sarla Verma and others v. Delhi Transport Corporation and another, 2009 (2) TN MAC 1 (SC), the appropriate multiplier to be adopted is 14m. It is also noted that, since the claimants are four in number, 1/4th of the income has to be deducted towards personal and living expenses while computing the loss of dependency. Based on the aforesaid details, for computing loss of dependency, the following formula emerges:Rs.18,000/- +25%-1/4 x 12 x 14m = Rs.28,35,000/-11. It appears that the Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.44,000/- towards loss of love and affection. In terms of the principles laid down by the Hon’ble Supreme Court in National Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi and others, 2017 (2) TN MAC 609 (SC), a sum of Rs.40,000/- is to be awarded to each claimant under this head. Hence, this Court deems fit to grant a sum of Rs.1,16,000/- as addition under the said head. As regards the amounts awarded under the other heads, they appear to be reasonable and require no interference. The compensation, as modified in the light of the above findings, is reworked and tabulated as under:5/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025Sl.No.DescriptionAmount awarded by TribunalAmount awarded by this CourtAward confirmed or enhanced or granted or reduced1For Loss of DependencyRs.23,62,500/-Rs.28,35,000/-Enhanced2For Loss of Estate Rs.15,000/- Rs.15,000/-Confirmed3For Loss of Love and Affection Rs.44,000/- Rs.1,60,000/-Enhanced4For Funeral Expenses Rs.16,500/- Rs.16,500/-ConfirmedTotalRs.24,38,000/-Rs.30,26,500/-Enhanced12. Thus, the compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced from Rs.24,38,000/- to Rs.30,26,500/- which would carry interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of petition till the date of realisation. 13. In the result, (i) The Civil Miscellaneous Appeal stands partly allowed. There is no order as to costs.(ii) The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is enhanced from Rs.24,38,000/- to Rs.30,26,500/-.(iii) The first claimant is entitled to get a sum of Rs.8,26,500/-, the 6/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025second claimant is entitled to get to Rs.18,00,000/- and the third and fourth claimants are entitled to get a sum of Rs.2,00,000/- each.(iv) The Insurance Company/second respondent is directed to deposit the enhanced compensation amount determined by this Court, i.e., Rs.30,26,500/- (less the amount already deposited, if any), together with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum from the date of the claim petition till the date of deposit, excluding the period of delay, and with costs, to the credit of MCOP No.7885 of 2018 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (II Court of Small Causes, Chennai), within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of a copy of this Judgment.(v) On such deposit being made, the claimants are permitted to withdraw their share amount, along with the interest and costs, after adjusting the amount, if any already withdrawn, by filing necessary application before the Tribunal. (vi) The claimants are directed to pay the Court fee for the enhanced compensation amount, if required.(vii) The Tribunal below shall disburse the amount upon production of the certified copy showing proof of payment of Court fee by the claimants. Consequently, connected Civil Miscellaneous Petition, if any stands closed. 18.12.20257/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025NCC: Yes/NoIndex :Yes / NoInternet:Yes / NosknTo1. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, (In the II Court of Small Causes, Chennai).2.The Section Officer, V.R. Section, Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, Madurai.8/9 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis C.M.A.No.2680 of 2025R.KALAIMATHI,J.,sknC.M.A.No.2680 of 202518.12.20259/9