Chennai: Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai directed Metropolitan Transport Corporation Ltd to pay a compensation of Rs 25.45 lakh to parents of a 25-year old silver lamp worker, who died in a road accident caused by a MTC bus. He was crushed to death at the spot in 2013.
In the petition M. Kuppusamy and K. Manjula submitted that their son Karthikeyan, 25, was working as a silver lamp worker and earning Rs 15,000 per month. On December 12, 2013 at about 10.10 am, he was riding his motorcycle and traveling on ICF Konnur High Road. When he reached A.E.E. Colony bus shop, a MTC (7A) bus came driven by its driver in a very rash and negligent manner, dashed against the motorcycle. The front wheel of the MTC bus ran over his leg. He also sustained serious injuries and died at the spot.
They depended on the income of the Karthikeyan, who died due to accident. Hence, MD, MTC was liable to pay a compensation of Rs 30 lakh to them. In the reply, MD denied the allegation and stated that bus driver drove the vehicle with due care and observed traffic rules. He was not rash and negligent at the time of accident. The bus was on its schedule trip from Arakkambakkam to Broadway.
When it was proceeding slowly on the Konnur high Road, Karthikeyan rode the two-wheeler at high speed and in rash and negligent manner. He attempted to overtook a garbage clearing tricycle of the Corporation stationed on the left side of the MTC bus.
He lost control over the vehicle and dashed against the tricycle and caught underneath the left rear wheel of MTC bus and sustained fatal injuries. This accident took place due to negligence of Karthikeyan. Hence, the MTC was not liable to pay any compensation to the petitioners.
Judge, Small Causes Court -III, S.Umamaheswari, said considering oral and documentary evidences this Tribunal holds that the accident took place due to rash and negligent driving of bus driver. Therefore, MD is vicariously liable to pay a compensation of Rs 25,45,000 to the petitioners, the judge said.
