Rs 10.25 lakh for retired teacher's kin

Chennai. The Madras high court has observed that the dismissal of an accident claim plea by a tribunal in Namakkal citing lack of territorial jurisdiction to award compensation, was more shocking than the mishap itself and ordered Rs 10.25 lakh be paid to the family of the victim, a retired teacher.

Justice S. Vimala made the observation while allowing an appeal by the family of the victim against the dismissal of the petition by the principal district judge in Namakkal. “It is clear that the claims tribunal at Namakkal ought not to have dismissed the claim petition even though a specific defence has been taken by the insurance company with regard to the lack of territorial jurisdiction,” the high court judge said.