Motor accident claims tribunal awarded Rs 21.10 lakh to the petitioners
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Chennai: The motor accident claims tribunal, Chennai, has directed a public sector insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 21.10 lakh to the family of a 31-year-old supervisor who died in a road accident in 2009. The deceased, S. Thangaraj, 31, of Chennai, was working in a private company at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam.
The petitioners, T. Ilayavani, 24, wife of Thangaraj, T. Aathithiya, 4, and T. Dhaksani - his son and daughter respectively - and S. Jaya, his mother, submitted that Thangaraj was working as a mason-cum-supervisor in Tech Sharp Engineers, under Copco Engineering, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Kalpakkam, and drawing a salary of Rs 15,000 per month. He was working in the private company on contract basis.
They said Thangaraj was proceeding to the company on a two-wheeler along East Coast Road at 6.30 am on April 5, 2009. A lorry, proceeding to Puducherry from Chennai, hit the bike at Vaayalur, near Chelliammankoil, in Kancheepuram district. In the impact, he was thrown out from the vehicle and died instantly.
They said the mishap occurred due the lorry driver who drove the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner. The Sadras police station, Kancheepuram district, registered a case against the driver under sections 279, 304 (A) and 427 IPC.
They sought a direction to lorry owner B. Saravanan of Sivanandarpuram, Cuddalore, and New India Assurance Company Ltd, insurer of the vehicle, to pay a compensation of '25 lakh for the death Thangaraj, the sole breadwinner of the family.
The owner of the vehicle was absent during the trial. The insurance firm replied that the lorry was not covered under valid insurance policy and the driver had no valid driving licence at the time of the accident. The mishap was caused by the deceased, the firm added.
On completion of the trial, special sub-judge J. Chandran said, “Due to the accident, Ilayavani lost her husband at the age of 24 years and children lost their father’s love and affection at a tender age and his mother lost him at the fag-end of her life.”
“The tribunal holds that the vehicle owner and insurance firm are jointly and severally liable to pay compensation to the petitioners. Further, the New India Assurance Company Ltd, insurer of the vehicle, is liable to pay a compensation of Rs 21 lakh to the petitioners with an interest of 7.5 per cent in two months,” the judge added.
( Source : dc correspondent )
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