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Nanda Ram Dakot Vs. Rustam and ors. - Court Judgment

SooperKanoon Citation
SubjectMotor Vehicles
CourtRajasthan High Court
Decided On
Case NumberC.M.A No. 1111 of 1998
Judge
Reported inII(2002)ACC360; 2003ACJ1862
AppellantNanda Ram Dakot
RespondentRustam and ors.
Appellant Advocate Sandeep Mathur, Adv.
Respondent Advocate Azad Ahmad and; Anil Kumar, Advs.
Cases ReferredDr. Gop Ramchandani v. Onkar Singh
Excerpt:
- .....of left arm above elbow with 81 per cent permanent disability. the claims tribunal had found that injured-claimant was earning rs. 1,200 per month. the tribunal had awarded rs. 2,00,000 for loss of teeth and amputation of left hand. apart from above the tribunal had awarded rs. 10,000 for medical expenses, rs. 10,000 for pain and mental agony and rs. 50,000 for loss of future income. the total compensation was awarded as rs. 2,70,000.4. the present appeal has been filed for enhancement of compensation. it is the contention of counsel for the appellant that this court in almost similar case wherein the injured had suffered 50 per cent permanent disability had awarded rs. 3,00,000 for non-pecuniary damages vide order dated 12.10.2000 in norat mal v. latur lal 2002 acj 2066 (rajasthan).5......
Judgment:

J.C. Verma, J.

1. This appeal has been filed by injured-claimant for enhancement of the compensation awarded vide award dated 30.6.1998 by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Kotputli, District Jaipur, in M.A.C.T. Case No. 370 of 1993.

2. For the reason that the present appeal has been filed for enhancement of compensation, therefore, there is hardly any necessity to discuss any other aspect of the case.

3. The claimant-injured sustained injuries in accident on 11.4.1992 when he was hit by truck No. HR 26-3665. After framing the necessary issues in regard to the negligence, accident and about quantum of compensation, the award has been passed. The Tribunal had found that the injured had suffered the injuries of dislocation and breaking of three teeth, amputation of left arm above elbow with 81 per cent permanent disability. The Claims Tribunal had found that injured-claimant was earning Rs. 1,200 per month. The Tribunal had awarded Rs. 2,00,000 for loss of teeth and amputation of left hand. Apart from above the Tribunal had awarded Rs. 10,000 for medical expenses, Rs. 10,000 for pain and mental agony and Rs. 50,000 for loss of future income. The total compensation was awarded as Rs. 2,70,000.

4. The present appeal has been filed for enhancement of compensation. It is the contention of counsel for the appellant that this Court in almost similar case wherein the injured had suffered 50 per cent permanent disability had awarded Rs. 3,00,000 for non-pecuniary damages vide order dated 12.10.2000 in Norat Mal v. Latur Lal 2002 ACJ 2066 (Rajasthan).

5. Reliance has been made on the Division Bench judgment of Andhra Pradesh High Court in case of Gandhari Ramesh v. Janardhan 1999 ACJ 816 (AP) and on a judgment of this Court in case of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. v. Sirajuddin 1999 ACJ 895 (Rajasthan).

6. In case of Gandhari Ramesh, 1999 ACJ 816 (AP), the oil tanker had bumped against right side portion of bus coming from opposite direction resulting in severance of right arm from the shoulder of a passenger in the bus. The Tribunal had held that the accident was caused due to composite negligence of both the drivers. The injured was 23 years old and was trained electrician. It was held that right hand had been amputated and the prospect of even going in for an artificial limb is bleak. The prospect of getting married and leading a normal family life had also become bleak. It was doubtful whether the injured could take up any other profitable employment with his left hand. The Tribunal had granted Rs. 1,33,000, which was enhanced to Rs. 3,66,000. The accident occurred in May, 1993.

7. In case of United India Insurance Co. Ltd. 1999 ACJ 895 (Rajasthan), in case of amputation of left hand with 50 per cent permanent disablement the amount Rs. 3,00,000 has been awarded as non-pecuniary special damages apart from the medical expenses, etc. The accident was caused in March, 1994 between two trucks.

8. In case of R.D. Hattangadi v. Pest Control (India) Pvt. Ltd. 1995 ACJ 366 (SC), the Supreme Court had held that the compensation payable to a victim of an accident, the damages have to be assessed separately as pecuniary damages and special damages. Pecuniary damages are those which the victim has actually incurred and which are capable of being calculated in terms of money; whereas non-pecuniary damages are those which are incapable of being assessed by arithmetical calculations. In order to appreciate two concepts pecuniary damages may include expenses incurred by claimant: (i) medical attendance; (ii) loss of earnings or profit up to the date of trial; (iii) other material loss. So far as non-pecuniary damages are concerned, they may include: (i) damages for mental and physical shock, pain and suffering already suffered or likely to be suffered in future; (ii) damages to compensate for the loss of amenities of life which may include a variety of matters, i.e., on account of injury the claimant may not be able to walk, run or sit; (iii) damages for the loss of expectation of life, i.e., on account of injury the normal longevity of the person concerned is shortened; (iv) inconvenience, hardship, discomfort, disappointment, frustration and mental stress of life.

9. In case of Dr. Gop Ramchandani v. Onkar Singh 1993 ACJ 577 (Rajasthan), on account of 50 per cent permanent disablement Rs. 3,00,000 were awarded as non-pecuniary special damages, wherein the injured suffered amputation of one leg.

10. In the present case the appellant, who is injured-claimant is of the age of 30 years. He has suffered loss of three teeth and amputation of left arm above elbow with 81 per cent permanent disability. He is said to have been working in carpet factory. He has family to support. He would suffer throughout his life because of amputation of arm. In my opinion, it is a fit case where the non-pecuniary compensation should be enhanced from Rs. 2,00,000 to Rs. 3,00,000. The claimant shall be entitled to Rs. 3,00,000 as damages.

11. For the discussions made above, the claimant is entitled for the compensation of Rs. 3,00,000 plus Rs. 70,000, total Rs. 3,70,000 as awarded by the Tribunal on other counts, with the same rate of interest. The amount of compensation shall be paid to claimant, after adjusting the amount already paid, within three months from the date of receipt of certified copy of this order.

12. With the above observations, the misc. appeal is partly allowed.


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