Chennai: The Principal Special Court under Essential Commodities and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, Chennai, has directed Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC), Villupuram division, to pay a compensation of Rs 27.61 lakh to family members of an MTC bus driver, who was killed in a road accident, caused by a TNSTC bus near Mamallapuram in 2015.
In the petition K. Meenakshi submitted that her husband N. Kasi, 43, was working as a driver in Metropolitan Transport Corporation from 2007. In the small hours on March 11, 2016, Kasi was travelling in a TNSTC bus from Puducherry to Chennai as a passenger.
The driver was driving the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner endangering public safety. He overtook a lorry, which was preceding ahead the bus. While doing so, the bus rammed into the right side of the lorry.
Many persons sustained injuries. Her husband, who sustained fatal injuries, later died. Mamallapuram police registered case against the driver.
She said her family members depended on his income. Since the bus driver was responsible for the accident, the managing director, TNSTC, Villupuram division, is liable to pay compensation of '50 lakh to her family members.
In the reply, the MD, denied the allegation. The MD stated that the lorry driver was solely responsible for the accident. The management was not liable to pay any compensation. The MD said that the petition liable to be dismissed.
Principal special judge K. Ayyappan said the petitioner has proved the case. The MD, TNSTC, Villupuram, is liable to pay a compensation of '27.61 lakh to Meenakshi and other family members.
