Chennai: The Madras High Court has directed all trial courts dealing with motor accident claims cases to ensure that the crossing in the cheques issued to claimants should be only with the endorsement “A/c payee” and not with endorsement “& Co”.
“It has been brought to the attention of this court that in the crossed cheques which are issued to the claimants, it is mentioned as “& Co” instead of “A/c payee”. Such practice has to be avoided by all the trial courts and crossing should be made in the cheques only with the endorsement “A/c payee” and not with the endorsement “& Co”. It is made clear that that if any violation of the same is brought to the notice of this court, appropriate action will be initiated against the erring officials,” said Justice S Vaidyanathan.
The judge directed the Registry to send a circular to all the courts below dealing with M.C.O.P cases, directing them to follow this condition in letter and spirit. The judge gave the above directions, while enhancing the compensation of Rs 1.26 lakh, awarded to N Dileep Kumar, an engineering student, who met with an accident while traveling as a pillion rider in a two wheeler on ECR road in 2007, by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chennai, to Rs 3 lakh.
