Chennai: Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chennai, directed Metropolitan Transport Corporation to pay a compensation of Rs 39.28 lakh to family members of a 35-year old data entry operator, who died in an accident caused by an MTC bus five years ago.
In the petition, S. Kasthuri submitted that her husband E. Sudharsan Prabhu, 35, was employed as data entry operator in Government Hospital of Thoracic Medicine and received a salary of Rs 12,000 per month. In addition to this, he was also doing part time catering and earning Rs 10,000 per month.
On November 28, 2013, at about 7.20 pm he was riding pillion on a bike from Kilpauk to Chintadripet. An MTC bus, which was driven in a rash and negligent manner, dashed against the motorcycle. As a result both rider and pillion rider sustained serious injuries.
Sudharsan Prabhu was admitted to Government general hospital, Chennai, and shifted to private hospital and underwent some risky surgical procedures. Later, he was shifted to GH, where he succumbed to injuries.
She said the family members lost breadwinner and hence sought direction to the MD. MTC, to pay a compensation of Rs 51 lakh to her family members.
In its reply, the MD, MTC said the MTC bus driver was obeying traffic rules. The accident took place due to the negligence of bike rider. The bus was on its trip from Anna Square to Koyambedu. When the vehicle reached Ulagappa street and Arunachalam street junction, the two wheeler came from the Ulagappa street in a rash and negligent manner and crossed the junction without seeing the traffic including the bus. The rider lost control and two-wheeler dashed against the front bumper of the bus and as a result duo sustained injuries. Hence the MTC was not liable to pay any compensation to the petitioners.
The judge, Small Causes Court III, S. Umamaheswari, said considering oral and documentary evidence the tribunal holds that the accident took place due to rash and negligent driving of the bus driver. The judge directed the MD to pay a compensation of Rs.39,28,000. to the family members of the deceased with interest of 7.5 per cent per annum.
