Chennai: The State Consumer Disputes Redressal (SCDR) Commission has directed the Zion Matriculation school in the city to pay Rs 10 lakh as compensation to parents of 7-year-old E. Sruthi, who fell down through a hole in the school bus and died.
“The complainant has claimed compensation of Rs 25 lakh, which is very much on the higher side. We have to note that the child died in a very tragic, pathetic and pitiable circumstances. Further the wife of the complainant has undergone sterilisation. Having regard to the facts and circumstances of the case and considering all the relevant factors, we feel that award of Rs 10 lakh as total compensation would be the just and reasonable compensation for the negligence and deficiency in service on the part of the school and the consequent death of the child, and the mental agony and sufferings of the parents”, said SCDR Commission comprising its Judicial member J. Jayaram and member P Bakiyavathi while partly allowing the complaint filed by E.R. Sethumadhavan, father of Sruthi.
According to the complainant, on July 25, 2012, his daughter, who was studying 2nd standard in school, was seated on the 6th row in the school bus where there was a big hole covered with a wooden board.
