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Date of reserved for Judgment :24.10.2025

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APHC010628412012

IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

AT AMARAVATI

(Special Original Jurisdiction)

[3520]

THURSDAY,THE EIGHTH DAY OF JANUARY

TWO THOUSAND AND TWENTY SIX

PRESENT

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A. HARI HARANADHA SARMA

MOTOR ACCIDENT CIVIL MISCELLANEOUS APPEAL NO: 724/2012

Between:

1. THE APSRTC, REP.BY MD, MUSHEERABA D, HYD, REP.BY ITS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, MUSHEERABAD, HYDERABAD. REP.BY ITS

REGIONAL MANAGER, ANANTAPUR.

...APPELLANT

AND

1. MEDA BHANU MANOJ AND 3 OTHERS, S/O MEDA KAILASH, MINOR

R/O D.NO.8-174-2, BANAKAMADI STREET, TADIPATRI,

2. M LAKSHMI JAHNAVI, D/O MEDA KAILASH, MINOR, R1 AND R2 ARE

REP.BY THEIR GRAND FATHER R/O D.NO.8 -174-2, BANAKAMADI

STREET, TADIPATRI,

3. M VENKATA SUBBAIAH, S/O M.VENKATA RAMAIAH R/O D.NO.8 -174-2,

BANAKAMADI STREET, TADIPATRI,

4. MEDA SUBHADRAMMA, W/O MEDA VENKATA SUBBAIAH R/ O D.NO.8-

174-2, BANAKAMADI STREET, TADIPATRI,

...RESPONDENT(S):

2

Appeal filed under Order 41 of CPC praying thet the Highcourt may be

pleased toallow the appeal by setting aside the decree and judgment dated 2-12-

2011 made in MVOP.no. 674 of 2009 on the file of the Chairman MACT cum

Distirct Judge, Ananthapur

IA NO: 1 OF 2012(MACMAMP 1621 OF 2012

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in

the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased stay all

further proceedings including the execution of the judgment and decree made in

OP.no. 674 of 2009 dated 2-12-2011 on the file of the Chairman MACT cum

Distirct Judge, Ananthapur

IA NO: 1 OF 2013(MACMAMP 747 OF 2013

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in

the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased to

vacate the stay granted in MACMA.MP.no. 1621 of 2012 in MACMA.No. 724 of

2012 dt, 10/04/2012 and permit the petitioner to withdraw the amount deposited

by respondent / petitioner

Counsel for the Appellant:

1. SANISETTY VENKATESWARLU SC For APSRTC

Counsel for the Respondent(S):

1. INENI VENKATA PRASAD

MOTOR ACCIDENT CIVIL MISCELLANEOUS APPEAL NO: 2277/2013

Between:

1. MEDA BHANU MANOJ, S/O.MEDA KAILASH, MINOR R/O.D.NO.8 -174-2,

BANAKAMANDI STREET, TADIPATRI, ANANTAPUR DISTRICT.

2. M.LAKSHMI JAHNAVI, D/O.MEDA KAILASH, MINOR R/O.D.NO.8 -174-2,

BANAKAMANDI STREET, TADIPATRI, ANANTAPUR DISTRICT.

[PETITIONERS 1 AND 2 ARE MINORS REP BY GUARDIA N, NEXT

FRIEND GRAND FATHER P3

3. M.VENKATA SUBBAIAH, S/O.M.VENKATA RAMAIAH, HINDU

3

R/O.D.NO.8-174-2, BANAKAMANDI STREET, TADIPATRI, ANANTAPUR

DISTRICT.

4. MEDA SUBHADRAMMA, W/O.MEDA VENKATA SUBBAIAH, HINDU

R/O.D.NO.8-174-2, BANAKAMANDI STREET, TADIPATR I, ANANTAPUR

DISTRICT.

...APPELLANT(S)

AND

1. THE AP STATE ROAD TRANSPORT CORPORATION, rep by its

Managing Director O/o.Musheerabad, Hyderabad. rep by its Regional

Manager O/o.Anantapur.

...RESPONDENT

Appeal filed under Order 41 of CPC praying thet the Highcourt may be

pleased to

IA NO: 1 OF 2012(MACMAMP 8072 OF 2012

Petition under Section 151 CPC praying that in the circumstances stated in

the affidavit filed in support of the petition, the High Court may be pleased

condone the delay of 237 days in filing the MACMA against the orders passed in

and also

Counsel for the Appellant(S):

1. INENI VENKATA PRASAD

Counsel for the Respondent:

1. SANISETTY VENKATESWARLU SC For APSRTC

The Court made the following:

4

THE HONOURABLE SRI JUSTICE A. HARI HARANADHA SARMA

M.A.C.M.A.Nos.724 of 2012 & 2277 of 2013

COMMON JUDGMENT:

Introductory:

1. The claimants in O.P.No.674 of 2009 on the file of the Chairman, Motor

Accident Claims Tribunal-cum-District Judge, Anantapur (for short “the learned

MACT”) are the appellants in M.A.C.M.A.No.2277 of 2013 and the respondent

therein is the appellant in M.A.C.M.A.No.724 of 2012.

2. For the sake of convenience, the parties hereinafter referred to as the

claimants and the respondent, as and how they are arrayed in the impugned

order.

3. The claimants / appellants are questioning the adequacy and sufficiency of

compensation of Rs.15,84,000/- awarded as against the claim made for

Rs.40,00,000/-.

4. The respondent is disputing the compensation awarded as excessive,

while denying the liability on the grounds of absence of negligence and

non-joinder of necessary parties.

5. Since both the appeals arise out of the order dated 02.12.2011 in the same

case, both appeals are heard and are being decided together.

5

Case of the claimants:

6(i). Claimant Nos.1 and 2 are children and claimant Nos.3 and 4 are father-in-

law and mother-in-law of one Meda Venkata Supraja alias M. Supraja

(hereinafter referred to as “the deceased”)

(ii). On 18.08.2008 at about 05:30 am, the deceased was proceeding in a car

bearing No.AP 04 U 2444 with her husband to Tadipatri. When the car reached

near Molakavemula Cross, A.P.S.R.T.C. bus bearing No.AP 28 Z 3390

(hereinafter referred to as “the offending vehicle”) came in the opposite direction

from Anantapur in a rash and negligent manner, driven by its driver and dashed

the car in which the deceased was travelling, whereby the accident occurred.

The exclusive negligence of the driver of the offending vehicle is the cause for

the accident. The driver of the car died on the spot. The deceased sustained

severe injuries and succumbed to the injuries while undergoing treatment in the

hospital.

(iii). A case in Crime No.42 of 2008 was registered for the offences under

Sections 337 and 304-A of the IPC against the driver of the offending vehicle and

he was subsequently charge sheeted.

(iv). The further case of the claimants is that the husband of the deceased died

due to the depression following the death of deceased. Petitioner Nos.1 and 2

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became orphans. Petitioner Nos.3 and 4 are taking care of petitioner Nos.1

and 2.

(v). Had the deceased been alive, she would have contributed her entire income

to the family and for the maintenance of all the petitioners.

(vi). The further case of the claimants is that the deceased was very bright and

brilliant. She was running business in the name and style of M/s. Jayalakshmi

Fried Gram Industries, Tadipatri, at Door No.8-142-1, Bankamadi Street,

Tadipatri and she was earning Rs.3,00,000/- per annum.

Case of the respondent:

7(i). The claimants shall strictly prove all the allegations as to accident,

negligence of the driver of the offending vehicle, death of deceased due to the

accident, age, occupation, income of the deceased and dependency of the

claimants / petitioners etc.

(ii). It is claimed by the respondent that there was no negligence on the part of

the driver of the offending vehicle and that the driver of the car alone was

responsible for the accident. There was no valid driving license for the driver of

the car. The petitioners ought to have added owner and the Insurance Company

of the car as parties. The case was foisted against the driver of the offending

vehicle with false allegations. The income of the deceased was not fortified with

proper evidence. In any event, the respondent is not liable to pay any

compensation.

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8. On the strength of pleadings, the following issues were settled for trial by

the learned MACT:

1) Whether the accident occurred on 18.08.2008 due to rash and negligent

driving of the driver of APSRTC bus bearing No.AP 28 Z 3390 and caused

death of the deceased?

2) Whether the petitioners are entitled for compensation and if so, to what

amount and from which respondent?

3) To what relief?

9. Here itself, this Court finds it proper to observe that proper care is missing

on the part on the learned MACT in framing the issues. Issues shall be framed

with reference to assertions and denials. Taking note of the context of the case,

when there is only one respondent, framing issue No.2 as to entitlement of the

petitioners and from which respondent indicates a mechanical cut, copy and

paste approach of the learned MACT and absence of proper care.

10. Further, the issue touching upon the non-joinder of the owner and

Insurance Company of the car in which the deceased was travelling is missing,

which ought to have been framed.

11. However, issue No.1 being a comprehensive one provides some scope

for answering the contention as to contributory negligence of the driver of the car

and consequently answering the necessity of adding the owner and Insurance

8

Company of the car. Although, Motor Accident Claims Tribunals can decide

cases summarily, when issues are framed following CPC, there shall be proper

attention in framing issues.

Evidence:

12. On behalf of the claimants, M. Venkata Subbaiah, claimant No.3 paternal

grandfather of claimant Nos.1 and 2 was examined and he deposed about the

relationship of the petitioners with the deceased, her age, occupation, income

etc. and relied on the certified copies of documents Ex.A1-FIR, Ex.A2-Inquest

report, Ex.A3-Post mortem certificate, Ex.A4-charge sheet, Ex.A5-MVI report,

Ex.A6-original PAN Card of the deceased, Ex.A7 and Ex.A8 are the Income Tax

returns Forms along with statement for The assessment years 2006-2007 and

2007-2008, Ex.A9-Cerrtifciate issued by Commercial Tax Officer-I, Tadipatri,

Ex.A10-VAT Registration Certificate issued by the CTO, Tadipatri and

Ex.A11- Notification of VAT Registration Certificate issued by CTO, Tadipatri.

13. Further, on behalf of the claimants one Besta Veerappa, an Eye Witness to

the accident, was examined as P.W.2. and one V. Madhusudhana Reddy,

Income Tax Consultant, Tadipatri, was examined as P.W.3, who asserted that

the income of the deceased was Rs.3,70,932.80/- for the year 2006-2007 and

Rs.4,47,193.27/- for the year 2007-2008.

14. On behalf of the respondent, the driver of the offending vehicle was

examined as R.W.1. He has disowned the liability.

9

Findings of the learned MACT:

15. While referring to the certain judgments as to collision between two

vehicles vide New India Assurance Co. Ltd., vs. B. Mallareddy

1

, Perneti

Nirmala vs. APSRTC

2

, National Insurance Co. Ltd., vs. Islavath Chinnmma

3

and National Insurance Co. Ltd. Vs. P. Murugan

4

, the cases of collision

between two vehicles and by referring to the crime record as well as the

evidence of eye witness, learned MACT concluded that the driver of the

A.P.S.R.T.C. bus was responsible for the accident.

16. While referring to the Income Tax returns and certain authorities, the

learned MACT accepted the income of the deceased at Rs.1,30,500/- per annum

and arrived at the contribution of the deceased to the claimants at Rs.87,000/-.

Applied the multiplier „17‟ and found the loss of dependency at Rs.14,79,000/-.

Thereafter, added Rs.50,000/- towards loss of love and affection, Rs.15,000/-

towards loss of estate and Rs.5,000/- towards funeral expenditure. In all,

quantified the compensation at Rs.15,84,000/-.

17. While observing that claimant Nos.3 and 4 are not dependents, the learned

MACT apportioned a sum of Rs.67,000/- each to the shares of claimant Nos.3

and 4 as compensation, considering that claimant Nos.1 and 2 are under the

1

2002 (6) ALD 137 (DB)

2

2009 (5) ALT 781

3

2007 ACJ 1529

4

2009 ACJ 2411

10

custody of claimant Nos.3 and 4. A sum of Rs.6,50,000/- was apportioned to

claimant No.1 and Rs.8,00,000/- was apportioned to claimant No.2.

Arguments in the appeal:

For the claimants:

18. When the Income Tax Returns are indicating the income of the deceased

at more than Rs.3,00,000/-, taking income at Rs.1,30,500/- is not rational and

awarding interest at the rate of 8% per annum is not correct.

On behalf of the respondent / A.P.S.R.T.C:

19. The defences of non-joinder of the owner and Insurance Company of the

car are not properly addressed and the negligence of the car driver is completely

ignored.

20. The compensation awarded under various heads is excessive.

21. Heard both sides. Perused the pleadings, evidence and observations of

the learned MACT in the impugned order carefully.

22. Now the points that arise for determination in these appeals are:

1) Whether the negligence of the driver of the RTC bus / the offending

vehicle is the cause for the accident and whether the issue touching the

contribution of negligence by the driver of the car and the necessity of

adding the owner and Insurance Company of the car are properly

addressed by the learned MACT?

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2) Whether the compensation of Rs.15,84,000/- awarded by the

learned MACT is just, reasonable and adequate or require any

modification either by way of enhancement or reduction?

3) What is the result of appeal in M.A.C.M.A.No.724 of 2012?

4) What is the result of appeal in M.A.C.M.A.No.2277 of 2013?

Point No.1:

23. Issue No.1 framed by the learned MACT is touching the aspect of

negligence. The proceedings before the learned MACT are summary in nature.

Following the CPC is not prohibited, but it can be to the extent of necessity. The

issue framed since open-ended, it would cover both the exclusive negligence of

the driver of the bus / the offending vehicle and also contribution of the driver of

the car.

24. The evidence of P.W.2 / Bestha Veerappa, the eye witness is very clear

that the driver of the car was driving very slowly and on the extreme left side of

the road margin and the offending vehicle came in a rash and negligent manner

with high speed, lost control over the same and dashed the car and that the

driver of the car died on the spot.

25. P.W.2 stated that in the cross examination that he was in the field and

watched the accident and he denied the negligence on the part of the car.

12

26. P.W.2 is arrayed as L.W.2 in the Ex.A4-charge sheet and from the

markings of Ex.A4, it reflects that he was examined as P.W.1 before the

concerned Criminal Court.

27. It is pertinent to note that the driver of the bus / offending vehicle,

examined as R.W.1 admitted that Police registered a criminal case against him

and his department placed him under suspension.

28. When the stand of the respondent A.P.S.R.T.C. is that there was no

negligence on the part of the driver of the car, there cannot be suspension of the

driver of the offending vehicle and departmental proceedings against him. The

departmental proceedings and suspension against the driver, although

independent, suggests that that the negligence is admitted by the respondent. If

there is no negligence, there need not be departmental proceedings. If there are

departmental proceedings, there will be negligence. The department cannot take

the stand of absence of negligence for the purpose of defence in a motor

accident claim in one voice and come out with another voice of negligence in a

disciplinary proceedings against an employee. This is nothing short of blowing

hot and cold at once and this paradox cannot be appreciated.

29. In the facts and circumstances of the case and on the material available

on record, particularly in the absence of any evidence indicating the result of the

criminal case or the result of the departmental proceedings, the respondent/

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APSRTC cannot claim that there is absence of negligence on its part and that

there was contribution of negligence by the driver of the car. What prevented the

respondent from summoning either the Motor Vehicle Inspector to show the

nature of damage to the vehicles or from examining any other eyewitnesses cited

in the charge sheet is not even whispered. Therefore, the grounds urged as to

either absence of negligence or the necessity of adding the owner and insurance

Company of the car etc. are found fit for rejection.

30. In this context, it is also relevant to note that the appreciation of evidence

in answering the question of fact as to negligence in a motor accident claim can

be based on the official records and the theory of probability with a holistic

approach. This approach stands fortified with the aid of provisions of Motor

Vehicles Act and the Rules and also the observations of the Hon‟ble Apex Court,

as follows:

Statutory and Precedential Guidance:

Statutory Guidance:

31(i). It is relevant to note that the A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 are

applicable in deciding the cases by Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals and they

are made in exercise of powers conferred under Section 176 of the Motor

Vehicles Act which reads as follows:

176. Power of State Government to make rules. —A State

Government may make rules for the purpose of carrying into effect

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the provisions of sections 165 to 174, and in particular, such rules

may provide for all or any of the following matters, namely:—

(a) the form of application for claims for compensation and the

particulars it may contain, and the fees, if any, to be paid in respect

of such applications;

(b) the procedure to be followed by a Claims Tribunal in holding an

inquiry under this Chapter;

(c) the powers vested in a Civil Court which may be exercised by a

Claims Tribunal;

(d) the form and the manner in which and the fees (if any) on

payment of which an appeal may be preferred against an award of a

Claims Tribunal; and

(e) any other matter which is to be, or may be, prescribed.

(ii). Chapter „11‟ of the A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 commencing from

Rule 455 to Rule 476A deals with the powers of the Tribunal and all other allied

aspects like form of application, registration, notice to parties, appearance and

examination of parties, local inspection, summary examination of parties, method

of recording evidence, adjournments, framing and determination of issues,

judgments and enforcements of awards, Court fee relating to claim petitions

applicability of Civil Procedure Code and the application for claim basis to award

the claim by the claims tribunal. Rule 476 of the A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989

reads as follows:

Rule 476: Application for claim :-

(7) Basis to award the claim :- The Claims Tribunal shall proceed

to award the claim on the basis of;-

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(i) Registration Certificate of the Motor Vehicle involved in

the accident;

(ii) Insurance Certificate or Policy relating to the insurance

of the Motor Vehicle against the Third party risk;

(iii) Copy of First Information Report;

(iv) Post-mortem certificate or certificate of inquiry from

the Medical Officer; and

(v) The nature of the treatment given by the Medical Officer

who has examined the victim.

(7A) Specification of amount of compensation awarded by the

Tribunal to each victim:- Where compensation is awarded to two

or more persons, the Claims Tribunal shall also specify the

amount payable to each of them.

32. As per Rule 476 of the A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, the crime record

can be the basis. The official acts done are presumed to be proper until a

contrary is proved particularly when some statutory recognition is given to such

official records.

33. It is relevant to note that in view of the summary nature and mode of

enquiry contemplated under Motor Vehicles Act and social welfare nature of

legislation the Tribunal shall have holistic view with reference to facts and

circumstances of each case. It is sufficient if there is probability. The principle of

standard of proof, beyond reasonable doubt cannot be applied while considering

a claim seeking compensation for the death or the injury on account of road

accident. The touch stone of the case, the claimants shall have to establish is

16

preponderance of probability only. The legal position to this extent is settled and

consistent.

Precedential Guidance:

34(i). The Hon‟ble Apex Court in Bimla Devi and others Vs. Himachal Road

Transport Corporation

5

, in para 15 observed as follows:

“15. In a situation of this nature, the Tribunal has rightly taken a holistic

view of the matter. It was necessary to be borne in mind that strict proof of an

accident caused by a particular bus in a particular manner may not be

possible to be done by the claimants. The claimants were merely to establish

their case on the touchstone of preponderance of probability. The standard

of proof beyond reasonable doubt could not have been applied. For the said

purpose, the High Court should have taken into consideration the respective

stories set forth by both the parties..”

(ii). In a case between Bhagwan Ram and Ors. Vs. Deen Dayal and Ors.

6

,

while considering the nature of proof is required for believing the negligent driving

in Motor Accident Claims, the Hon‟ble High Court of Rajasthan found that

Certificate and the copies of documents prepared by the Police on the spot,

including the Challan, First Information Report etc. are admissible, even in the

absence of statement of eye witnesses and the same can be the basis to believe

the negligent driving of the driver of the offending vehicle, vide para-11 which

reads as follows:

“11. The fact that any of the eye witness or the police personnel and

authorities, who had prepared the documents - certified copies of challan

5

2009 (13) SCC 530

6

2013 (0) sc (Raj) 812

17

Exhibit-1, First Information Report as Exhibit-2, Naksha Mauka as Exhibit-4,

Halat Mauka as Exhibit-5, Postmortem Report as Exhibit-10 were not

examined is of no consequence. The said documents being certified copies of

public documents even in absence of such statements are admissible in

evidence as held by this Court in the case of Rajasthan State Road

Transport Corporation and Anr. v. Devilal & Ors., reported at 1991 ACJ

230 and Shrwan Kumar v. Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation &

Ors., reported at 1995 ACJ 337. It was held by this Court in the case of

Shrwan Kumar as under:-

"18. Public documents like the first information report and the report of

the mechanical inspection of the bus can be taken into consideration and

this point is no longer res integra so far as this court is concerned. In

Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation v. Devilal, 1991 ACJ 230

(Rajasthan) , it was observed that strictly speaking, provisions of Evidence

Act are not applicable before the Tribunal; if a document is a certified copy

of a public document it need not be proved by calling a witness or the

person who prepared it.”

(iii). In Anitha Sarma and Others Vs. New Indian Assurance Company Ltd.

7

,

the Hon‟ble Apex Court observed that in Motor Accident Claims, standard of

proof required is the preponderance of possibilities but not beyond reasonable

doubt; approach and role of the Courts, while examining the evidence in accident

cases, ought not to be to find fault with non-examination of the best eye

witnesses, as may happen in criminal Trial, but instead should be only to analyse

the material placed on record by the parties to ascertain whether the claimant‟s

version is more likely than not true. The observations in para-17 are as follows:-

7

2021(1) SCC 171

18

“17. Unfortunately, the approach of the High Court was not sensitive enough

to appreciate the turn of events at the spot, or the appellant-claimants'

hardship in tracing witnesses and collecting information for an accident which

took place many hundreds of kilometers away in an altogether different State.

Close to the facts of the case in hand, this Court in Parmeshwari v. Amir

Chand [Parmeshwari v. Amir Chand, (2011) 11 SCC 635 : (2011) 4 SCC

(Civ) 828 : (2011) 3 SCC (Cri) 605] , viewed that : (SCC p. 638, para 12)

“12. The other ground on which the High Court dismissed [Amir Chand v.

Parmeshwari, 2009 SCC OnLine P&H 9302] the case was by way of

disbelieving the testimony of Umed Singh, PW 1. Such disbelief of the High

Court is totally conjectural. Umed Singh is not related to the appellant but as

a good citizen, Umed Singh extended his help to the appellant by helping her

to reach the doctor's chamber in order to ensure that an injured woman gets

medical treatment. The evidence of Umed Singh cannot be disbelieved just

because he did not file a complaint himself. We are constrained to repeat our

observation that the total approach of the High Court, unfortunately, was not

sensitized enough to appreciate the plight of the victim.

…

„15. In a situation of this nature, the Tribunal has rightly taken a holistic view

of the matter. It was necessary to be borne in mind that strict proof of an

accident caused by a particular bus in a particular manner may not be

possible to be done by the claimants. The claimants were merely to establish

their case on the touchstone of preponderance of probability. The standard of

proof beyond reasonable doubt could not have been applied.’”

(iv). In a case between New India Assurance Company Ltd., Vs.

Kethavarapu Sathyavathi and Ors.

8

, the Hon‟ble Division Bench of High Court

of Andhra Pradesh has referred to Section 168, 169 of M.V. Act and Rule 476(7)

of A.P. Motor Vehicles Rules and also catena of decisions. The point for

8

2009 Supreme (AP) 136=2010(2) ALD 403=2009(3) ALT 260

19

consideration before the Hon‟ble Division Bench was that in holding an inquiry in

terms of Motor Vehicles Act, what is the procedure to be followed and whether

the F.I.R. can be basis for considering the claim. Observations in para 5 to 7 are

as follows:

“5. Point:

Under Section 168 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (for short "the

Act"), the Claims Tribunal shall give the parties an opportunity of being heard,

hold an inquiry into the claim and make an award determining just

compensation, etc. In holding any such inquiry, Section 169 of the Act

mandates the Tribunal to follow such summary procedure as it thinks fit

subject to rules. The Tribunal was conferred with the powers of a civil Court for

the specified purposes and under Rule 476 of the Rules, the Claims Tribunal

was directed to follow the procedure of summary trial as contained in the Code

of Criminal Procedure, 1973. The Tribunal was cautioned not to reject any

application on the ground of any technical flaw and was also obligated to

obtain whatever information necessary from the police, medical and other

authorities. It is true that sub-rule (7) of Rule 476 of the Rules states that the

Claims Tribunal shall proceed to award the claim on the basis of registration

certificate of the motor vehicle, insurance certificate or Policy, copy of first

information report, post-mortem certificate or certificate of inquiry from the

medical officer and the nature of treatment given by the medical Officer.

6. The said sub-rule obviously refers to the relevant dependable criteria for

assessment of the compensation, which is patently illustrative and can never

be considered to be exhaustive. This Sub-rule stating the basis to award the

claim, is obviously subject to the prohibition against depending on any

technical flaw and the procedure for summary trial to be followed by the

Tribunal. The said sub-rule cannot travel beyond the statutory obligation

imposed on the Tribunal to determine the just compensation after an inquiry,

20

in which an opportunity of being heard is given to the parties. The judicial

determination of the questions in controversy before the Tribunal in terms of

Sections 168 and 169 of the Act cannot be confined to consideration of the

five documents referred to in sub-rule (7) of Rule 476 of the Rules alone and

exclude any other oral or documentary evidence. The procedure of summary

trial under the Code of Criminal Procedure which the Tribunal shall follow

under Rule 476 of the Rules itself mandates taking all such evidence as may

be produced by both sides in support of their respective versions, apart from

the evidence which the Court, of its own motion, causes to be produced as per

Section 262 read with Sections 254 and 255 of the said Code. Sub-rule (7) to

be understood in the light of the object and scheme of the Act, is a directory

provision referring to some of the documents which can offer guidance to the

Tribunal in discharge of its statutory duty and the word "shall" used in the said:

subrule has to be necessarily understood as "may".

7. That apart, to say that the, first information report alone should be the

conclusive basis for determining the manner of the accident, even in spite of

the availability of other dependable evidence on record on that aspect, will be

offending the plain language of the statute and if that were the purport of sub-

rule (7), it cannot be considered valid, as any such delegated legislation

cannot travel beyond the legislation itself.”

(v). In Dulcina Fernandes v. Joaquim Xavier Cruz

9

, the Hon‟ble Apex Court

observed in Para 7 to 9, as follows:-

“ 7. It would hardly need a mention that the plea of negligence on the part of the

first respondent who was driving the pick-up van as set up by the claimants was

required to be decided by the learned Tribunal on the touchstone of

preponderance of probabilities and certainly not on the basis of proof beyond

reasonable doubt. (Bimla Devi v. Himachal RTC [(2009) 13 SCC 530]

9

(2013) 10 SCC 646

21

8. In United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Shila Datta [(2011) 10 SCC 509 :

(2012) 3 SCC (Civ) 798 : (2012) 1 SCC (Cri) 328] while considering the nature

of a claim petition under the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 a three-Judge Bench of

this Court has culled out certain propositions of which Propositions (ii), (v) and

(vi) would be relevant to the facts of the present case and, therefore, may be

extracted hereinbelow : (SCC p. 518, para 10)

“10. (ii) The rules of the pleadings do not strictly apply as the claimant

is required to make an application in a form prescribed under the Act. In fact,

there is no pleading where the proceedings are suo motu initiated by the

Tribunal.

…..

(v) Though the Tribunal adjudicates on a claim and determines the

compensation, it does not do so as in an adversarial litigation. …

(vi) The Tribunal is required to follow such summary procedure as it

thinks fit. It may choose one or more persons possessing special knowledge

of and matters relevant to inquiry, to assist it in holding the enquiry.”

9. The following further observation available in para 10 of the Report would

require specific note : (Shila Datta case [(2011) 10 SCC 509 : (2012) 3 SCC

(Civ) 798 : (2012) 1 SCC (Cri) 328] , SCC p. 519)

“10. … We have referred to the aforesaid provisions to show that an

award by the Tribunal cannot be seen as an adversarial adjudication

between the litigating parties to a dispute, but a statutory

determination of compensation on the occurrence of an accident,

after due enquiry, in accordance with the statute.”

35. In view of the discussion made above, point No.1 is answered against the

respondent A.P.S.R.T.C. and in favour of the claimants, concluding that the

findings of the learned MACT as to negligence on the part of the driver of the

RTC bus are proper and do not require any interference.

22

Point No.2:

Precedential guidance:

36(i). For having uniformity of practice and consistency in awarding just

compensation, the Hon‟ble Apex Court provided guidelines as to adoption of

multiplier depending on the age of the deceased in Sarla Verma (Smt.) and Ors.

Vs. Delhi Transport Corporation and Anr.

10

and also the method of calculation

as to ascertaining multiplicand, applying multiplier and calculating the

compensation vide paragraph Nos.18 and 19 of the Judgment.

(ii). Further the Hon‟ble Apex Court in National Insurance Company Ltd. v.

Pranay Sethi and Others

11

case directed for adding future prospects at 50% in

respect of permanent employment where the deceased is below 40 years, 30%

where deceased is between 40-50 years and 15% where the deceased is

between 50-60 years. Further, in respect of self employed etc., recommended

addition of income at 40% for the deceased below 40 years, at 25% where the

deceased is between 40-50 years and at 10% where the deceased is between

50-60 years. Further, awarding compensation under conventional heads like

loss of estate, loss of consortium and funeral expenditure at Rs.15,000/-,

Rs.40,000/- and Rs.15,000/- respectively is also provided in the same Judgment.

10

2009 (6) SCC 121

11

2017(16) SCC 680

23

(iii). Further in Magma General Insurance Company Ltd. v. Nanu Ram and

Others

12

, the Hon‟ble Apex Court observed that the compensation under the

head of loss of consortium can be awarded not only to the spouse but also to the

children and parents of the deceased under the heads of parental consortium

and filial consortium.

Just Compensation:

37. In Rajesh and others vs. Rajbir Singh and others

13

, the Hon‟ble Supreme

Court in para Nos.10 and 11 made relevant observations, they are as follows:

10. Whether the Tribunal is competent to award compensation in

excess of what is claimed in the application under Section 166 of the

Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, is another issue arising for consideration in

this case. At para 10 of Nagappa case [Nagappa v. Gurudayal Singh,

(2003) 2 SCC 274 : 2003 SCC (Cri) 523 : AIR 2003 SC 674] , it was

held as follows: (SCC p. 280)

“10. Thereafter, Section 168 empowers the Claims Tribunal to „make

an award determining the amount of compensation which appears to it

to be just‟. Therefore, the only requirement for determining the

compensation is that it must be „just‟. There is no other limitation or

restriction on its power for awarding just compensation.”

The principle was followed in the later decisions in Oriental Insurance

Co. Ltd. v. Mohd. Nasir [(2009) 6 SCC 280 : (2009) 2 SCC (Civ) 877 :

(2009) 2 SCC (Cri) 987] and in Ningamma v. United India Insurance Co.

Ltd. [(2009) 13 SCC 710 : (2009) 5 SCC (Civ) 241 : (2010) 1 SCC (Cri)

1213]

12

(2018) 18 SCC 130

13

(2013) 9 SCC 54

24

11. Underlying principle discussed in the above decisions is with regard

to the duty of the court to fix a just compensation and it has now

become settled law that the court should not succumb to niceties or

technicalities, in such matters. Attempt of the court should be to equate,

as far as possible, the misery on account of the accident with the

compensation so that the injured/the dependants should not face the

vagaries of life on account of the discontinuance of the income earned

by the victim.

38(i). With regard to the income of the deceased, the claimants relied on the

evidence of P.W.3. He has stated that the deceased Meda Venkata Supraja

alias M. Supraja was running M/s. Jaya Lakshmi Fried Gram Industries at

Tadipatri Town. He has submitted the accounts to Income Tax Department

relating to her factory.

(ii). She was regularly paying income tax to the department. She was an

Income Tax Assessee, her PAN number is AYJPS 3818 F. As per the balance

sheet, the income of the deceased for the year 2006-2007 is Rs.3,70,932.80/-

and for the year 2007-2008 is Rs.4,47,193.27/-. Ex.A7 and Ex.A8 are the

Income Tax returns.

(iii). The cross-examination of P.W.3 is as follows:

Statement under Ex.A7 is prepared for the purpose of tax payment.

Since 2004, the deceased was paying tax. It is not true to suggest that

for the financial year 2006-07 only I filed the income tax returns of the

deceased. After allowing depreciations, no tax was paid by the

deceased as per Ex.A7. After allowing the depreciation, no tax was

paid by the deceased for the financial year 2006-07. No returns were

25

filed by the deceased for the financial year 2007-08. It is not true to

suggest that I prepared Ex.A7 in order to help the petitioners and that I

am deposing false.

39. As per the Ex.A7 no tax is paid. Payment of tax is different and earning of

income is different. If the income does not fall within the limits the taxable limits,

one may not be required to pay tax. In Annexure-I of Ex.A7, the gross profit is

shown as Rs.13,74,703.50/-. In Ex.A8, gross annual income is shown as

Rs.1,30,500/-.

40. Leaned MACT has accepted the income of the deceased at Rs.1,30,500/-

on the strength of Ex.A7 considering the net profit of the assessment year 2007-

2008 as Rs.1,33,500/-. However, in view of the age of the deceased being „26‟

years, adding income towards future prospects should have been considered, in

the light of authoritative pronouncements holding that there can be progression in

income.

41. In the facts and circumstances of the case, there can be addition to a

tune of 30%, whereby the income of the deceased can be accepted at around

Rs.1,70,000/- per annum. 1/3

rd

can be deducted towards personal expenditure.

Then, the contribution of the deceased comes to Rs.1,13,334/-. The multiplier

applicable is „17‟. Upon application of the same, loss of dependency comes

to Rs.19,26,678/-(Rs.1,13,334/-x17), which is rounded off to around

Rs.19,27,000/-. Therefore, under the head of loss of dependency, the entitlement

of claimants accepted at Rs.19,27,000/-.

26

42. Further, the claimants are entitled for compensation under the

conventional heads i.e. Rs.40,000/- each to claimant Nos.1 and 2 towards

parental consortium, Rs.15,000/- towards funeral expenditure and Rs.15,000/-

towards loss of estate.

43. Claimant Nos.3 and 4, the father-in-law and mother-in-law of the

deceased, though not direct dependents, in view of their son and the deceased

being their daughter-in-law and they are living together, reasonable dependency

of claimant no.3 and 4 can be accepted, considering the nature of legislation and

the principles under the Fatal Accidents Act, wherein dependency is also a

relevant factor apart from claimants being the legal heirs. Therefore, the

entitlement of claimant Nos.3 and 4 is fixed at Rs.1,00,000/- each.

44. In view of the reasons and evidence referred above, the entitlement of the

claimants for reasonable compensation in comparison to the compensation

awarded by the learned MACT is found as follows:

Head Compensation awarded

by the learned MACT

Fixed by this

Court

(i) Loss of dependency Rs.14,79,000/- Rs.19,27,000/-

(ii) Loss of estate Rs.50,000/- Rs.15,000/-

(iii) Loss of Consortium -Nil- Rs.80,000/-

@ Rs.40,000/- each to

claimant Nos.1 and 2

(iv) Funeral expenses Rs.5,000/- Rs.15,000/-

(v) Love and affection Rs.50,000/- -Nil-

Total compensation awarded Rs.15,84,000/- Rs.20,37,000/-

Interest (per annum) 8% 9%

27

45. For the reasons aforesaid and in view of the discussion made above, the

point No.2 framed is answered concluding that the claimants are entitled for

compensation of Rs.20,37,000/- with interest at the rate of 9% per annum from

the date of petition till the date of realization and the order and decree dated

02.12.2011 passed by the learned MACT in O.P.No.674 of 2009 require

modification accordingly.

Point No.3:

M.A.C.M.A.No.724 of 2012:

Result:

46. In view of the discussion and conclusions drawn under point No.2, the

appeal filed by the A.P.S.R.T.C. vide M.A.C.M.A.No.724 of 2012 is fit to be

dismissed. Accordingly, M.A.C.M.A.No.724 of 2012 is dismissed. There shall be

no order as to costs.

Point No.4:

47. For the aforesaid reasons and in view of the conclusions drawn under

point Nos.1 to 3, Point No.4 is answered as follows:

In the result,

M.A.C.M.A.No.2277 of 2013:

(i) M.A.C.M.A.No.2277 of 2013 filed by the claimants is partly allowed.

28

(ii) Compensation awarded by the learned MACT in O.P.No.674 of 2009

at Rs.15,84,000/- with interest at the rate of 8% per annum is

modified and enhanced to Rs.20,37,000/- with interest at the rate of

9% per annum from the date of petition till the date of realization.

(iii) Apportionment:

(a) Claimant No.1 / son of the deceased is entitled to Rs.9,00,000/-

with proportionate interests and costs.

(b) Claimant Nos.2 / daughter of the deceased is entitled to

Rs.9,37,000/- with proportionate interest and costs.

(c) Claimant No.3 / Father-in-law of the deceased is entitled to

Rs.1,00,000/- with proportionate interest.

(d) Claimant No.4 / Mother-in-law of the deceased is entitled to

Rs.1,00,000/- with proportionate interest.

(e) In the context of long lapse of time from 2009 till date, it is clarified

that if either of claimant Nos.3 and 4 is not surviving, the amounts

apportioned to their shares shall be paid to survivor among them;

and if both of them are not surviving, the same shall be paid to

claimant Nos.1 and 2 equally.

(iv) Respondent before the learned MACT / A.P.S.R.T.C is liable to pay

the compensation.

(v) Time for payment /deposit of balance amount is two months.

29

(a) If the claimants furnish the bank account number within 15 days

from today, the respondent / A.P.S.R.T.C. shall deposit the amount

directly into the bank account of the claimants and file the

necessary proof before the learned MACT.

(b) If the claimants fail to comply v(a) above, the respondent /

A.P.S.R.T.C. shall deposit the amount before the learned MACT

and the claimants are entitled to withdraw the amount at once on

deposit.

(vi) There shall be no order as to costs, in the appeal.

48. As a sequel, miscellaneous petitions, if any, pending in these appeals

shall stand closed.

____________________________

A. HARI HARANADHA SARMA, J

Date:08.01.2026

Note:L.R. copy to be marked.

(B/o).

Knr

30

HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE A. HARI HARANADHA SARMA

M.A.C.M.A.Nos.724 of 2012 & 2277 of 2013

08.01.2026

Knr