Chennai: The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chennai has directed an insurance firm to pay a compensation of Rs 51.65 lakh to family members of a 26-year-old techie who was crushed to death in a gory accident five years ago.
Sanath Kumar, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, was working as an IT Analyst in Tata Consultancy Services.
In the petition, his parents — Chainuru Suryanarayana, Nageswari and his brother C Jagadeesh Prathap of Gudur, Nellore District, Andhra Pradesh, submitted that Sanath Kumar Chainur was working as a Software Engineer (IT Analyst) in Tata Consultancy Services, Siruseri SEZ, Unit2, Navalur, Chennai. He was earning Rs 65,000 per month.
He was also given incentives by his organisation for his excellent work. He also used to take tuitions for students near his place of living and used to earn substantial money. He was paying income tax regularly.
On July 2, 2012, at about 4.30 p.m., Sanath Kumar was travelling on a motorcycle from Medavakkam cross road to Eechankadu. A tanker lorry belonging to Megebur Raauman Aleem, Chrompet, came from behind and hit the motorcycle. As a result, he fell down and was crushed to death under the tanker lorry on the spot.
They said the accident took place due to the negligence and rash driving of the driver. Aleem, owner of the vehicle and the Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., Saidapet, insurer of the vehicle, jointly, severally and vicariously liable to pay compensation of '1.50 crore to the petitioners.
In his reply, Aleem stated that the accident occurred due to the negligence of Sanath Kumar. The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd., stated that the compensation claimed was excessive and imaginary.
"It was not true that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving of the tanker lorry", the firm added. Hence, they prayed for dismissal of the petition.
On completion of the trial, Judge, Small Causes Court-II, Chennai S. Priya said this Tribunal has come to the conclusion that the driver was responsible for the accident. The petitioners liable to receive a compensation of '51.65 lakh from the insurance firm.
