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Judgment
The appellant has challenged the award of the Claims Tribunal whereby compensation of Rs.75,40,621/- has been awarded to respondents No.1
and 2.
On 1st March, 2012 at about 1:30 A.M, Prateek Kumar and his friends were going from Connaught Place to Saket in a Mahindra Scorpio car
bearing No.HR-11C-6677 being driven by respondent No.3. Respondent No.3 lost control of the vehicle near Gate No.1 of National Gallery of
Modern Art, India Gate Outer Circle, Delhi due to which the vehicle struck against a tree and turned turtle. The police registered FIR No.33/2012
dated 1 st March, 2012 against respondent no.3 under Sections 279/337/338 of IPC at P.S. Tilak Marg.
Prateek was sitting in the back seat of the offending vehicle, suffered hemorrhage in left frontal region; multiple fracture greated wing of sphenoid;
fracture in left temporal parietal bone; fracture right mastoid with fracture sphenoid sinus; B/L hemothorax with collapse of B/L posterior basal
segment; pneumothorax with multiple contusion; fracture of 6-7 and 8 ribs; diffuse axonal head injury with HPA suppression and spinal cord injury of
D5-D6 vertebra. Prateek was taken to RML Hospital, where he was admitted for treatment. On 15th March, 2012, Prateek was shifted to Sir Ganga
Ram Hospital for further treatment where he remained admitted till 3 rd June, 2012. On 04th June, 2012, Prateek was taken to Nishant Hospital,
Lucknow and he remained admitted there from 04th June, 2012 to 08th July, 2012; 26th July, 2012 to 27th July, 2012; 13th February, 2013 to 1st
March, 2013; 05th June, 2013 to 15th June, 2013; 18th June, 2014 to 25th June, 2014. He was admitted to NuTech MediWorld Hospital, New Delhi
from 06th
The injuries suffered by Prateek resulted in 100% disability relating to Post-traumatic paraplegia with B/B involvement and loss of vision (left) as
per the disability certificate dated 04th August, 2013 (PW-1/25). Prateek remained bedridden for about 27 months and could not recover from the
injuries suffered by him. Prateek succumbed to his injuries on 04th July, 2014 at R.D.S.O. Hospital, Manak Nagar, Lucknow.
Prateek was aged 22 years at the time of the accident. He passed Senior Secondary School in the year 2008 with 82% marks and was pursuing
B.Sc.(Nautical Science) six semester course jointly conducted by Directorate General of Shipping and Indira Gandhi National Open University
(IGNOU). Prateek had completed the fifth semester of the six semester course. Prateek completed Pre-Sea Cadet course from Maritime Institute,
Mumbai in the first and second semesters. Prateek completed 18 months training with Shipping Corporation of India in the third, fourth and fifth
semesters and was getting a stipend of Rs.10,000/- per month plus other perks.
Prateek was survived by his parents who are respondents No.1 and 2, hereinafter referred to as ‘the claimants’. The claimants claimed
compensation of Rs.3 crores including Rs.60 lakhs spent on the medical treatment of Prateek before his death i.e. from 1st March, 2012 to 4th July,
2014. According to the claimants, the deceased would have earned Rs.1 lakh per month after completing B.Sc. (Nautical Science).
Respondent No.1 (father of the deceased) appeared in the witness box as PW-1 and proved the injuries suffered, treatment taken as well as the
expenditure incurred on the treatment of Prateek. PW-1 also proved the academic and professional qualifications of the deceased. PW-1 also proved
passport of Prateek as Ex.PW1/1, ICSE Board Certificate as Ex.PW1/2, Senior School Certificate as Ex.PW1/3, Diploma in Nautical Science as
Ex.PW1/4, medical examination reports as Ex.PW1/5 to Ex.PW1/7, certificates of on-board training for 18 months as Ex.PW1/8 to Ex.PW1/10,
prospectus of B.Sc. (Nautical Science) as Ex.PW1/11, certificate issued by Capt. SSS Rewari, ARI Charitable Trust, Saket as Ex.PW1/11(A),
discharge summary of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital as Ex.PW1/12, reports of Sir Ganga Ram Hospital as Ex.PW1/13 (Colly.), discharge slips of Nishant
Hospital, Lucknow as Ex.PW1/14 (Colly.), prescription slip of Sahara Hospital as Ex.PW1/15, prescription slip of Garg Opthalmic Centre as
Ex.PW1/16, prescription slip of Abhinav Drishti as Ex.PW1/17, prescription slip of Dr. Sushil Upadhyay as Ex.PW1/18, discharge slip of Nishant
Hospital, Lucknow as Ex.PW1/19, prescription slip of Dr. Rajiv Khanna as Ex.PW1/120, discharge slip of Nishat Hospital, Lucknow as Ex.PW1/21,
prescription slip of Atlantis Super Speciality Medical Centre, Lucknow as Ex.PW1/22, MRI reports as Ex.PW1/23 (Colly.), medical bills as
Ex.PW1/24 (Colly.), disability certificate as Ex.PW1/25, Form-16 as Ex.PW1/26 (Colly.) and terms and conditions of IIIrd officer in Shipping
Corporation of India as Mark ‘A’.
The claimants examined Captain Yogesh Puri, Regional General Manager, Shipping Corporation of India as PW-2 who deposed that the deceased
was a Trainee, Nautical Officer (Cadet) with Shipping Corporation of India from 12th February, 2011 to 12th December, 2011. He further deposed
that after completion of one month training, the trainees are deployed for sea training on ships for eighteen months and after completion of the said
training, the cadets are usually employed with them. PW-2 proved the statement of account of wages of the deceased as Ex.PW-2/2.
The claimants examined Dr. Manu Seth, from Nishant Hospital, Lucknow as PW â€" 3 who deposed that the deceased suffered 100% permanent
disability and was unable to perform any work and was even unable to move both his lower limbs due to the injury in the spine. PW â€" 3 categorically
confirmed that deceased died due to the injuries sustained in the accident which resulted in paraplegia.
The Claims Tribunal held that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving by respondent No.3 which resulted in grievous injuries to
Prateek who later succumbed to his injuries. The Claims Tribunal took the earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.40,000/- per month, deducted 50%
towards personal expenses and applied the multiplier of 11 according to the age of the mother to compute the loss of dependency as Rs.26,40,000/-.
The Claims Tribunal awarded Rs.32,95,621/- towards medical treatment, Rs.11,20,000/- towards loss of income during treatment, Rs.3,50,000/-
towards conveyance and attendant charges, Rs.1,00,000/- towards loss of love and affection, Rs.10,000/- towards loss of estate and Rs.25,000/-
towards funeral expenses. The total compensation awarded is Rs.75,40,621/-.
Learned counsel for the appellant urged at the time of the hearing that the negligence of the driver of the offending vehicle has not been proved;
there is no nexus between the injuries suffered by Prateek and his death; the medical expenses of the deceased have not been proved; the earning
capacity of the deceased has been taken on a higher side; the minimum wages of Rs.8,814/- per month be taken into consideration for computing the
earning capacity; Rs.11,20,000/- awarded towards loss of income during treatment be set aside and the non-pecuniary compensation be reduced in
terms of National Insurance Co. Limited v. Pranay Sethi, (2017) 16 SCC 680.
Learned counsel for respondents No.1 and 2 urged at the time of the hearing that the Claims Tribunal has not awarded the future prospects and
lower multiplier of 11 has been applied instead of 18 according to the age of the deceased. With respect to the earning capacity of the deceased,
respondents No.1 and 2 rely upon the terms and conditions dated 30th August, 2012 of Shipping Corporation of India in respect of the fresh graduates
of B.Sc. (Nautical Science) who are paid wages of Rs.1,03,620/-per month (Rs.3,454/- per day).
The Claims Tribunal held that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of respondent no.3 considering the FIR, the site plan as
well as the mechanical inspection report which was not rebutted by respondent No.3 as he did not appear in the witness box. The Claims Tribunal
relied upon Cholamandalam M.S. General Insurance Company Ltd. v. Kamlesh, 2009 (3) AD (Delhi) 310, Bimla Devi v. Himachal Road Transport
Corporation, (2009) 13 SC 530, Parmeshwari v. Amir Chand, 2011 (1) SCR 1096 and National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pushpa Rana, 2009 ACJ
There is no infirmity in the finding of negligence of respondent no.3 by the Claims Tribunal and therefore, the finding of the Claims Tribunal with
respect to the negligence of respondent no.3 is upheld.
The appellant’s objection that the injuries suffered by Prateek have not resulted in his death is frivolous and is rejected as Dr. Manu Seth, PW-
3, proved that the deceased died due to the injuries suffered in the accident which resulted in paraplegia.
The Claims Tribunal has applied the multiplier of 11 according to the age of the mother of the deceased, whereas the appropriate multiplier has to
be applied according to the age of the deceased in terms of principles laid down in Pranay Sethi,(supra). The deceased was aged 22 years at the time
of the accident and the appropriate multiplier according to his age is 18. The multiplier is, therefore, enhanced from 11 to 18.
The Claims Tribunal has taken the earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.40,000/- per month which is under challenge in this appeal. The law
with respect to the earning capacity of a student pursuing a professional course is well-settled that the Claims Tribunal has to assess the earning
capacity of the deceased considering the nature of the professional course being pursued by the deceased and the prospects of his income after
completing the course. The relevant judgments on this principle are as under:
16.1 In Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. v. Deo Patodi, (2009) 13 SCC 123, the accident dated 12th June, 2003 resulted in the death of a 22 year old
brilliant student who had completed Business Administration Course and had an offer of job from a US based company at the time of the accident.
The Claims Tribunal took his earning capacity as Rs.18,000/- per month. The Supreme Court enhanced the earning capacity of the deceased from
Rs.18,000/- per month to Rs.25,000/- per month.
16.2 In New India Assurance Company Limited v. Ganga Devi, MANU/DE/3623/2009, the accident dated 12th August, 2003 resulted in the death of
an MBBS graduate who was doing internship and was getting a stipend of Rs.5,000/- per month. The Claims Tribunal took minimum wages of
Rs.3,543/- per month in respect of a graduate. This Court rejected the principle of minimum wages applied by the Claims Tribunal and took the
earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.18,000/- per month and added 50% was towards future prospects. This Court enhanced the compensation
from Rs.9,60,352/- to Rs.21,36,000/-.
16.3 In Ramesh Chand Joshi v. New India Assurance Company Limited MAC. APP. 212-13/2006 decided on 20th January, 2010, the accident dated
30th July, 2004 resulted in the death of a first year student of B. Tech in Delhi College of Engineering. The Claims Tribunal took the minimum wages
of Rs.1,875/- per month which was challenged before this Court. This Court again rejected that principle of the minimum wages applied by the Claims
Tribunal. Following the Supreme Court judgment in Deo Patodi, (supra), this Court assessed the earning capacity of the deceased after completing the
graduation course to be Rs.38,333/- per month and the compensation was enhanced from Rs.3,25,000/- to Rs.22,78,980/-. The relevant portion of the
judgment is as under:
“7. The learned Tribunal has taken the notional income of the deceased as Rs.22,500/- per annum i.e. Rs.1,875/- per month which is less than even
the minimum wages of a daily wager. The approach and finding of the learned Tribunal is absurd and without any basis. The law in this regard is well
settled by catena of judgments. The minimum wages are permissible to be taken where the deceased is illiterate and does not possess any professional
or technical qualification. Where the deceased is educated or is pursuing the professional course, income has to be taken on the basis of his earning.
Reference in this regard may be made to judgment of Oriental Insurance Company Ltd. v. Deo Pataudi, 2009 (8) Scale 194, in which case the
deceased aged 22 years was a student having a brilliant career and offer of employment from a US Based Company at the time of accident. The
learned Tribunal took his earning capacity to be Rs.18,000/- per month. The High Court in appeal upheld the earning capacity of the deceased at
18,000/- per month. The Hon’ble Supreme Court enhanced the earning capacity of the deceased from Rs.18,000/- to Rs.25,000/- per month.
Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act provides that the learned Tribunal shall conduct an inquiry into the claim petition. Section 169 of the Motor
Vehicles Act provides that the learned Tribunal shall follow such summary procedure as it deem fit to conduct such an inquiry. The inquiry stipulated
in Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act is different from the civil trial. The learned Tribunal has not conducted any inquiry whatsoever for assessing
the earning capacity of the deceased. Be that as it may, this Court in appellate jurisdiction has the same power of conducting such an enquiry into this
matter and, therefore, vide order dated 26th November, 2009, this Court issued a notice to the Dean of Delhi College of Engineering, Bawana to place
on record the average salary of a fresh Engineering graduate of Delhi College of Engineering, in pursuance to which the Joint Registrar of Delhi
College of
Engineering (now known as Delhi Technological University) has filed an affidavit along with the chart of average salary drawn by a fresh engineering
graduates of Delhi College of Engineering. The chart contains the names of different Companies and salaries offered by them in the year 2009 to
fresh graduates in Bio-Technology from Delhi College of Engineering. xxx xxx xxx
The average salary of a graduate in Bio-Technology from Delhi College of Engineering during 2009 is 4.6 lacs per annum. The chart further shows
that there were 18 eligible students who all got the job offers and the placement was 100%. The chart further shows that the minimum salary offered
was Rs.3. lacs per annum and highest salary offered to an Engineering graduate in Bio-Technology was Rs.9 lacs per annum. 10. From the inquiry
conducted by this Court as to the earning capacity of the deceased, it is held that the earning capacity of the deceased after completing graduation
course would have been Rs.4.6 lacs per annum i.e. Rs.38,333/- per month.†(Emphasis Supplied)
16.4 In HDFC Ergo General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Rattan Kumar Dwivedi, 2017 SCC OnLine Del 9874, the accident dated 21st July, 2008 resulted in
the death of a national level sportsperson who was a student of B. Com. (Hons.). The Claims Tribunal awarded Rs.10,40,000/- by taking the earning
capacity of the deceased as Rs.10,000/- per month which was challenged on the ground that minimum wages should have been applied by the Claims
Tribunal. Applying the principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy,
AIR 2012 SC 100, this Court rejected the application of minimum wages to such cases. Considering the brilliant record of the student as a
sportsperson, this Court determined the earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.25,000/- per month and enhanced the compensation from
Rs.10,40,000/- to Rs.24,50,000/-. The relevant portion of the judgment is as under:
“14. In the present case, the deceased Apoorva Dwivedi was a student of B.Com (Hons.) at Bharti College, Delhi University. She was a sports
person having won 86 prizes/certificates in athletics, track and field, gymnastics, baseball, soft ball, basketball, cricket etc. The deceased had secured
second place in team event at 40th Delhi State Gymnastics Championship, 2001; best athlete of the year 2003-2004 at school and zonal level and first
position in baseball in 52nd National School Games conducted by School Games Federation of India held from 23rd December to 28th December,
2006. The deceased was sports captain of Holy Child Senior Secondary School, Tagore Garden, New Delhi for the academic year 2007-08. Judicial
notice is taken of the notifications for government job for sports persons as well as advertisements in private jobs for sports persons, under which a
graduate sports person can secure a job with a job in the pay scale of Rs.30,000/- to Rs.40,000/- per month. Considering that the deceased was a
sports person with an extraordinary talent in various sports, namely, athletics, track and field, gymnastics, baseball, soft ball, basketball, cricket etc. and
having been awarded 86 prizes/certificates, it is presumed that the deceased would have earned Rs.25,000/- per month after completing her
graduation. Deducting 50% towards the personal expenses of the deceased and applying the multiplier of 14 according to the age of her mother, the
loss of dependency is computed as Rs.21,00,000/- [(Rs.25,000â€" 50%)x12x14]. The compensation for loss of love and affection is enhanced from
Rs.25,000/- to Rs.1,00,000/-; and compensation for pain and suffering is enhanced from Rs.25,000/- to Rs.1,00,000/-. Adding Rs.1,30,000/- towards
medical expenses and Rs.20,000/- towards funeral expenses, total compensation is computed as Rs.24,50,000/- [21,00,000/- + 1,00,000/- + 1,30,000/- +
1,00,000/- + 20,000/-]. The Claims Tribunal has awarded interest @ 7.5% per annum which is on a lower side considering that the Supreme Court as
well as this Court are consistently awarding interest @ 9% per annum. The rate of interest is enhanced from 7.5% to 9% per annum.â€
16.5 In HDFC Ergo General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Lalta Devi, 2015 ACJ 2526, the accident dated 19th June, 2011 resulted in the death of a third
year student of B. Tech. The Claims Tribunal awarded compensation of Rs.19,50,000/- by taking the earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.25,000/-
per month. The insurance company and the claimants both challenged the award before this Court. This Court held the earning capacity of the
deceased to be Rs.26,815/- per month by relying on the basic pay of a junior engineer and the compensation amount was enhanced from
Rs.19,50,000/- to Rs.22,94,871/-.
16.6 In United India Insurance Company Limited v. Anita, 2017 SCC OnLine Del 11152, the accident dated 16th June, 2009 resulted in the death of a
21 year old student of B. Tech. (Mechanical and Automatio Engineering). The Claims Tribunal awarded Rs.34,65,689/- by taking the earning capacity
of the deceased as Rs.26,815/- per month and 50% future prospects thereon, which was challenged by the insurance company. This Court upheld the
award of the Claims Tribunal and dismissed the appeal. The relevant portion of the judgment is as under:
“5. The Claims Tribunal took the income of the deceased as Rs.26,851/- following the judgment of this Court in HDFC Ergo General Insurance
Co. Ltd. v. Lalta Devi, 2015 ACJ 2526 in which this Court took the income of a B.Tech third year student in a similar university as Rs.26,851/-
according to the salary drawn by a Junior Engineer. The learned Tribunal has also taken into consideration that the deceased had passed the 5th
semester in December 2008 and had received the approval for six weeks industrial training with Indian Airlines. The Claims Tribunal also considered
the mark sheets of the deceased for 3rd, 4th and 5 th semester along with certificate of excellence for 3rd semester and deceased had stood first in
the 3rd semester examination in December, 2007. The Claims Tribunal also considered the statement of PW-2 who was a class fellow of the
deceased and had initially joined Maxim Group in 2011 at a monthly salary of Rs.16,000/- as Production Engineer and thereafter, another company
with a package of Rs.4,34,000/- per annum with 18% increment in the salary.
This Court is of the view that the income of the deceased computed by the Claims Tribunal and the future prospects added thereon are fair and
reasonable and does not warrant any interference.â€
16.7 In Bharti AXA General Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Upender Kumar Shastri, 2018 SCC OnLine Del 7855, the accident dated 01st September, 2014
resulted in the death of an 18 years old student of B.A. (Hons.) in Kamla Nehru College, Delhi University. The Claims Tribunal awarded
compensation of Rs.30,05,000/- by taking the earning capacity as Rs.40,000/- per month. This Court held that the earning capacity of Rs.40,000/- per
month was on higher side and reduced the earning capacity of the deceased to Rs.27,600/-. The relevant portion of the judgment is as under:
“2. The accident dated 01st September, 2014 resulted in the death of Deepti. The deceased was aged 18 years at the time of the accident and was
a student of B.A. (Hons) in Kamla Nehru College, Delhi University. The Claims Tribunal took the earning capacity of the deceased as Rs.40,000/-
considering her brilliant academic record and her aspiration to join Indian Police Service. Relevant portion of the award is reproduced hereunder: -
“As far as the income of the deceased is concerned, admittedly she was a student when she met with an accident and died. In order to assess her
notional income her academic record is required to be seen. PW-1 in his affidavit has alleged that he deceased was doing BA hon. 1st year course
from Kamla Nehru College, she was brilliant in her studies and extraordinary in sport and since her childhood she was maintaining a good academic
record and was doing very well at sports at state and national level and secured top positions. It is stated that the deceased has secured 90% marks in
her XIIth class and she secured 99% marks in Geography and secured all India top position, she was congratulated by the then HRD Minster Smt.
Smriti Zuben Irani vide letter dated 02.06.2014 i.e. Ex.PW1/5. It is stated that the deceased was sincere, hard working student and she was preparing
for civil services examination as she wanted to join Indian Police Services. Her educational and sports record were proved as Ex.PW1/6 (Colly)
which shows that the deceased was a brilliant student, both in education as well as in sports and it can be safely assumed that she was having a bright
future. Her various certificates of merits have been proved on record with respect to her various achievements in sports and education. But it is
known to all that life is full of probabilities and improbabilities and nothing can be said with certainly about anyone’s future and the same is with
the deceased also but having regard to her achievements in her educational carrier as well as in supports and the fact that she was studying in well
reputed college of Delhi University, it can be said with certainly that had she lived longer she must have achieved success in her life. In the totality of
facts and circumstances, of the case, the evidence on record and having regard to the uncertainities of life and the fact that the deceased was a girl
and she would have married after completing her education and establishing in her carrier in all probabilities and the fact that her parents were not
financially dependent upon her at the time of her death, I am of the opinion that it cannot be assumed at this stage that she in all circumstances, would
have cleared civil services examination in future, but it can be said with some certainly that even if she would not have cleared he civil services
examination, she would have had a great future. Even if she would have worked in a private sector or even if she would have cleared a clerical exam
in Govt. Sector, after completing her education she must have got an initial salary of Rs.40,000/- per month. Therefore, the loss of estate would come
to Rs.40,000/- x 12 x 18 = Rs.86,40,000/-.
(Emphasis supplied) xxx xxx xxx
Learned counsel for the appellant in MAC APP. 376/2017 urged at the time of hearing that the minimum wages be taken into consideration to
compute the compensation. It is submitted that the earning capacity of Rs.40,000/- per month taken by the Claims Tribunal is on a higher side. xxx xxx
xxx
The present case relates to an accident dated 01st September, 2014 whereas Rattan Kumar Dwivedi (supra) related to the accident of the year
2008. This Court is of the view that the earning capacity of Rs.40,000/- taken by the Claims Tribunal is on a higher side. The earning capacity of the
deceased is reduced to Rs.27,600/- per month. The deceased was unmarried and, therefore, 50% has to be deducted towards her personal expenses.
The deceased was 18 years of age, therefore the multiplier of 18 has to be applied according to the age of the deceased in terms of National
Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi 2017 SCC Online SC 1270.â€(Emphasis Supplied)
There is no merit in the contention of the insurance company that the compensation be computed by taking the minimum wages of Rs.8,814/- per
month as the income of the deceased. The law is well settled that it is not mandatory to resort to minimum wages to compute the compensation in
each and every case. Reference is made to Municipal Corporation of Delhi v. Association of Victims of Uphaar Tragedy (supra), in which 59 persons
died in 1997 and the Supreme Court granted compensation of Rs.10,00,000/- to the victims above 20 years of age by taking their income as Rs.8,333/-
per month whereas the minimum wages at the relevant time were less than Rs.2600/- per month. The relevant portion of the judgment is as under:
“38. … It can be by way of making monetary amounts for the wrong done or by way of exemplary damages, exclusive of any amount recoverable
in a civil action based on tortuous liability. But in such a case it is improper to assume admittedly without any basis, that every person who visits a
cinema theatre and purchases a balcony ticket should be of a high income group person. In the year 1997, Rs. 15,000 per month was rather a high
income. The movie was a new movie with patriotic undertones. It is known that zealous movie goers, even from low income groups, would not mind
purchasing a balcony ticket to enjoy the film on the first day itself. To make a sweeping assumption that every person who purchased a balcony class
ticket in 1997 should have had a monthly income of Rs. 15,000 and on that basis apply high multiplier of 15 to determine the compensation at a uniform
rate of Rs. 18 lakhs in the case of persons above the age of 20 years and Rs. 15 lakhs for persons below that age, as a public law remedy, may not be
proper. While awarding compensation to a large group of persons, by way of public law remedy, it will be unsafe to use a high income as the
determinative factor. The reliance upon Neelabati Behera (AIR 1993 SC 1960 : 1993 AIR SCW 2366) in this behalf is of no assistance as that case
related to a single individual and there was specific evidence available in regard to the income. Therefore, the proper course would be to award a
uniform amount keeping in view the principles relating to award of compensation in public law remedy cases reserving liberty to the legal heirs of
deceased victims to claim additional amount wherever they were not satisfied with the amount awarded. Taking note of the facts and circumstances,
the amount of compensation awarded in public law remedy cases, and the need to provide a deterrent, we are of the view that award of Rs. 10 lakhs
in the case of persons aged above 20 years and Rs. 7.5 lakhs in regard to those who were 20 years or below as on the date of the incident, would be
appropriate. We do not propose to disturb the award of Rs. 1 lakh each in the case of injured. The amount awarded as compensation will carry
interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of writ petition as ordered by the High Court, reserve liberty to the victims or the LRs. of the
victims as the case may be to seek higher remedy wherever they are not satisfied with the compensation. Any increase shall be borne by the
Licensee (theatre owner) exclusively.†(Emphasis Supplied)
In Uphaar Tragedy (supra), the Supreme Court has awarded Rs.10 lakhs to the victims aged more than 20 years and Rs.7.5 lakhs to the victims
aged less than 20 years. In that case, the multiplier of 15 was applied and 1/3rd was deducted towards the personal expenses which mean that the
Court has assumed the income of the victims aged more than 20 years to be Rs.8,333/- per month and that of victims aged less than 20 years to be
Rs.6,249/- per month. The calculation of the compensation would be as under :- For victims aged more than 20 years:-(Rs.8,333/- less 1/3 rd)x 12 x 15
= Rs.10 lakhs. For victims aged less than 20 years:-(Rs.6249/- less 1/3rd) x 15 = Rs.7.5 lakhs.
It is relevant to note that the Uphaar Tragedy (supra), took place on 13 th June, 1997 and the minimum wages at the relevant time were less than
Rs.2600/- but neither the Division Bench of this Court nor Supreme Court resorted to minimum wages to compute the compensation, although neither
the income nor the occupation of the victims was proved.
In the present case, the deceased was a student of B.Sc. (Nautical Science). The deceased had successfully completed the Pre-Sea Cadet
Course from Maritimes Training Institute and eighteen month On-Board training with Shipping Corporation of India and was getting stipend of
Rs.10,000/- per month excluding perks. On successful completion of B.Sc. (Nautical Science), the deceased would have had a successful career in
Merchant Navy. As per the terms and conditions of the appointment of a fresh graduate, Shipping Corporation of India pays wages of Rs.1,03,620/-
per month (Rs.3,454/- per day). This Court is of the view that the earning capacity of the deceased be taken as Rs.25,500/- per month. Applying the
well-settled principles of law laid down by Supreme Court and this Court in the aforesaid cases, the earning capacity of Rs.40,000/- taken by the
Claims Tribunal is reduced to Rs.25,500/- per month.
Taking the income of the deceased as Rs.25,500/- per month, adding 40% towards future prospects, deducting 50% towards his personal
expenses, and applying the multiplier of 18, the loss of dependency is computed as Rs.38,55,600/-
The Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs.11,20,000/- towards loss of income during treatment which is not permissible because the loss of dependency
has been awarded to the claimants on the multiplier method and is, therefore, set aside.
The Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs.32,95,621/- towards medical treatment which is based on sufficient evidence. There is no infirmity in the
medical expenditure awarded by the Claims Tribunal.
The Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs.1 lakh towards loss of love and affection which is not a permissible head in view of the judgment of the
Supreme Court in Pranay Sethi (supra) and is therefore, set aside. The compensation under the head of loss of estate is enhanced from Rs.10,000/-to
Rs.15,000/- and funeral expenses are reduced from Rs.25,000/- to Rs.15,000/- in terms of Pranay Sethi (supra) and Rs.9,400/- is awarded to the
claimants as the cost of litigation.
The Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs.3,50,000/- towards conveyance and attendant charges which is just, fair and reasonable considering the
deceased died about 27 months after the date of accident and was under constant medical treatment during this period.
The claimants are entitled to total compensation of Rs.75,40,621/-along with interest @ 9% per annum from the date of institution of the claim
application. The breakup of the compensation is as under:
(i) Compensation for loss of dependency: Rs.38,55,600/-
(ii) Medical expenditure: Rs.32,95,621/-
(iii) Conveyance & attendant charges: Rs.3,50,000/-
(iv) Loss to the estate: Rs.15,000/-
(v) Funeral expenses: Rs.15,000/-
(vi) Cost of Litigation: Rs.9,400/-
Total = Â Rs.75,40,621/-
Applying the principles laid down in Section 167 of the Indian Evidence Act, this Court upholds the amount awarded by the Claims Tribunal but on
the grounds mentioned hereinabove. The appeal is dismissed.
The appellant has deposited the entire award amount with the Claims Tribunal out of which 20% has been released in terms of order dated 01st
August, 2017 and Rs.32,95,621/- was released on 05th February, 2018 and the balance amount is lying with the Claims Tribunal.
List for disbursement of the compensation amount on 29th May, 2018.
Copy of this judgment be circulated to all the Claims Tribunals.
Copy of this judgment be given dasti to the counsels for the parties under signature of the Court Master.