Shiv Kumar vs Gainda Lal

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 7629 of 2022

Shiv Kumar & Ors. … Appellants

Versus

Gainda Lal & Ors. …Respondents

JUDGMENT

M. R. Shah, J.

1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned

judgment and order dated 07.03.2019 passed by the High

Signature Not Verified Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in First Appeal Digitally signed by NIRMALA NEGI Date: 2022.10.21 16:55:36 IST Reason: No.854 of 2014, the original claimants have preferred the

present appeal to enhance the amount of compensation. 1

2. That the wife of the appellant no.1 died in a vehicular

accident. At the relevant time, the deceased was aged 25

years and was a housewife. The Motor Accident Claim

Tribunal awarded Rs.19,12,200/­ with the interest at the rate

of 7.5% towards the compensation under different heads. The

Learned Tribunal awarded the loss of dependency at

Rs.3,24,000/­ considering the income of the deceased at

Rs.1,500/­ per month. As at the relevant time the deceased

was pregnant, the learned Tribunal also awarded Rs.50,000/­

for foetus. Learned Tribunal awarded Rs.19,12,200/­ under

different heads:

Head of Claim MACT Income 1500/­pm Future Prospect ­ Loss of Dependency (Annual Income after adjusting deductions and Rs.3,24,000/­ future prospects *Multiplier)

Medical expenses Rs.15,18,000/­ For Fetus Rs.50,000 Loss of Consortium 10,000 + 10,000 Or 2 Loss of Love and affection Conventional Head 20,000 (Funeral Expense and Loss of Estate) Award 19,12,200 @ 7.5%

2.1 In an appeal at the instance of the original claimants, by

the impugned judgment and order the High Court has

enhanced the amount of compensation at Rs.29,34,000/­

under different heads:

Head of Claim MACT High Court Income 1500/­pm 6000/­pm notional Future Prospect ­ ­

Loss of Dependency Rs.12,96,000/­ (Annual Income after adjusting Rs.3,24,000/­ deductions and future prospects *Multiplier)

Medical expenses Rs.15,18,000/­ Rs.15,18,000/­

For Fetus Rs.50,000 Rs.50,000/­

Loss of Consortium ­ Or Loss of Love and 10,000 + 10,000 affection 3 Conventional Head 20,000 70,000 (Funeral Expense and Loss of Estate) Award 19,12,200 @ 29,34,000 @ 7.5% 7.5%

2.2 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned

judgment and order passed by the High Court, the original

claimants have preferred the present appeal.

3. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellants

­original claimants has vehemently submitted that the High

Court has committed a serious error in awarding the loss of

dependency considering the income of the deceased at

Rs.6,000/­ per month only. It is submitted that even the

minimum wages payable to the skilled worker was much more

than Rs.6,000/­ per month. It is submitted that even

otherwise while awarding the loss of dependency, future

prospect has not been taken into consideration at all.

3.1 It is submitted that the High Court has also erred in

awarding Rs.50,000/­ towards foetus. It is submitted that the

claimants shall be entitled to a sum of Rs.40,000/­ each

4 towards loss of consortium or loss of love and affection.

Therefore, it is prayed to allow the present appeal.

4. Shri Vishnu Mehra, learned counsel appearing on behalf

of the contesting respondents – Insurance Company has

submitted that in the facts and circumstances of the case and

more particularly when the deceased was only a housewife, it

cannot be said that the High Court has committed any error in

awarding the loss of dependency considering the income of the

deceased at the rate of Rs.6,000/­ per month. However, has

fairly conceded that the High Court ought to have awarded the

loss of dependency considering future prospects.

5. Having heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the

respective parties and considering the fact that at the relevant

time the deceased was a housewife aged 25 years only and

there was contribution of the wife in the family and there is

evidence that she was also doing the tuition work, we are of

the opinion that the High Court ought to have considered the

income of the deceased at least Rs.7,500/­ per month. The

5 High Court has also not considered the future prospects. As

per the settled position of law while considering the loss of

dependency 40% of the income is required to be added

towards future prospects.

5.1 We are of the opinion that the claimants shall be entitled

to a sum of Rs.1 lakh each instead of Rs.50,000/­ as awarded

by the High Court for loss of foetus.

5.2 The claimants – husband and the minor son shall also be

entitled to Rs.40,000/­ each towards loss of consortium or

loss of love and affection.

5.3 To the aforesaid extent the impugned judgment and order

passed by the High Court is required to be modified.

6. In view of the above and for the reason stated above,

present appeal is allowed. The impugned judgment and order

passed by the High Court is hereby modified and it is directed

that the appellants ­ original claimants shall be entitled to a

6 total sum of Rs.32,82,000/­ with interest at the rate of 7.5%

per annum.

Present appeal is accordingly allowed to the aforesaid

extent. However, in the facts and circumstances of the case

there shall be no order as to costs.

………………………………….J. [M.R. SHAH]

NEW DELHI; ….…………………………….J.

OCTOBER 21, 2022. [M.M. SUNDRESH]

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