CHENNAI: The family of a 64-year-old retired government official, who died in a road accident in 2013, has been awarded Rs 10.68 lakh as compensation.
Disposing of a petition from the family of the victim, K N Karthikeyan, a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal here gave the award.
Karthikeyan’s widow, V Manjulavathi, along with her three children V Senthilkumar, V Vijaykumar and V Gandhimathi, submitted to the Tribunal that on July 22, 2013, around 11.20 pm, KN Karthikeyan was walking on GNT Road opposite to MA Nagar bus stop at Red Hills. Suddenly, a two-wheeler driven in a rash manner hit him, causing severe head injuries. He was rushed to Government Stanley Hospital and was later shifted to a private multi specialty hospital where he died on April 4, 2013.
The petitioners claimed Rs 20 lakh compensation from the owner and the insurer of the vehicle stating that the victim, a retired official of Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Sewerage Board, was earning Rs 20,000 per month through his real estate business. The owner of the vehicle failed to appear before the tribunal throughout the trial. The insurer, United India Insurance Co Ltd contended that the accident occurred because of Karthikeyan’s negligence. The motor cycle rider was not responsible for his death. Also, the family had to prove that the rider had a valid driving license and the vehicle was with insurance.
Observing that the insurance company and the vehicle owner had failed to provide any evidence to prove the victim’s contributory negligence, chief judge B Gokuldas said, “It was clear from the documentary evidence and deposition of the eye witness that the accident occurred solely because of negligent driving. Being the insurer of the vehicle, United India insurance has to indemnify the owner.” The judge directed the insurer to pay a compensation of Rs 10.68 lakh for losses of dependence, consortium, love and affection along with expenses for medical treatment, transportation and funeral within two months.