Smt. Kalavati & Ors. Versus Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr.

Smt. Kalavati & Ors. Versus Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr. Case

Landmark Cases of India / सुप्रीम कोर्ट के ऐतिहासिक फैसले

REPORTABLE

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA

CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6676 OF 2022

Smt. Kalavati & Ors.                   .. Appellants

Versus

Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr.          ..Respondents

With

CIVIL APPEAL NO. 6677 OF 2022

Smt. Chandrakala & Anr.                    .. Appellants

Versus

Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr.          ..Respondents

J U D G M E N T

M. R. Shah, J.

1. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned

judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High

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Court of Karnataka at Kalaburagi Bench passed in respective

First   Appeals,   the   original   claimants   have   preferred   the

present appeals and have prayed to enhance the amount of

compensation. 

Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022

2. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned

judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High

Court in M.F.A. No. 200507 of 2018 by which the High Court

has   enhanced   the   amount   of   compensation   from

Rs.10,70,000/­   as   awarded   by   the   learned   Tribunal   to

Rs.15,98,120/­ only, the original claimants have preferred the

present appeal.

2.1 The issue involved in the present appeal is in a very

narrow compass.

2.2 That   the   deceased  at   the   time   of  accident/death   was

serving as a driver and was holding a valid driving license.

According   to   the   original   claimants   he   was   earning

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Rs.15,000/­ per month.

2.3   The   learned   Tribunal   awarded   the   amount   of

compensation for the death of the deceased at Rs.10,70,000/­

under different heads including the loss of dependency.  The

learned   Tribunal   considered   the   loss   of   dependency   at

Rs.9,00,000/­   considering   the   income   of   the   deceased   at

Rs.7,500/­ per month.  By the impugned judgment and order

the   High   Court   has   enhanced   the   loss   of   dependency   to

Rs.14,28,120/­   considering   the   income   of   the   deceased   at

Rs.8,500/­ per month.

2.4 Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned

judgment and order passed by the High Court, the claimants

have preferred the present appeal for enhancing the amount of

compensation on loss of dependency considering the income of

the deceased at Rs.15,000/­ per month.

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Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022

3. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned

judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High

Court in MFA No.200509 of 2018 by which the High Court has

enhanced the amount of compensation from Rs.9,00,000/­ as

awarded by the learned Tribunal to Rs.12,25,104/­ only, the

original claimants have preferred the present appeal.

3.1 That   the   learned   Tribunal   awarded   a   total   sum   of

Rs.9,00,000/­   under   different   heads   towards   the

compensation for the death of the deceased – husband of the

appellant no.1.  The learned Tribunal has awarded the loss of

dependency at Rs.7,80,000/­ considering the income of the

deceased at Rs.7,500/­ per month.   In an appeal the High

Court   has   enhanced   the   amount   of   compensation   to

Rs.12,25,104/­   by   enhancing   the   amount   of   compensation

towards loss of dependency at Rs.11,05,104/­ considering the

income of the deceased at Rs.8,500/­ per month.

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3.2 Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned

judgment and order passed by the High Court, the original

claimants   have   preferred   the   present   appeal   praying   to

enhance the amount of compensation under the head loss of

dependency   considering   the   income   of   the   deceased   at

Rs.15,000/­ per month.

4. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties

and   in   the   facts   and   circumstances   of   the   case   and

considering the material on record and considering the fact

that   the   deceased   were   having   driving   license   and   were

working as drivers, the claimants shall be entitled to the loss

of dependency considering the income of the deceased at least

as Rs.10,000/­ per month.   Thereafter adding 40% towards

future prospects and rise in income and applying the relevant

multiplier   the   claimants   shall   be   entitled   to   the   enhanced

amount of compensation.

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4.1 In the case of Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022 considering

the actual income of the deceased as Rs.10,000/­ per month

and adding 40% towards the future prospects and thereafter

deducting 1/3rd towards the personal expenses of the deceased

and   applying   the   multiplier   of   15   the   claimants   shall   be

entitled   to   Rs.16,18,120/­   (instead   of   Rs.14,28,120/­   as

awarded by the learned Tribunal) towards the compensation

under the head loss of dependency.

4.2 Now   so   far   as   the   Civil   Appeal   No.6677   of   2022   is

concerned, considering the actual income of the deceased as

Rs.10,000/­ per month and adding 40% towards the future

prospects and thereafter deducting 1/3rd towards the personal

expenses of the deceased and applying the multiplier of 13 the

claimants shall be entitled to Rs.14,56,104/­ towards the loss

of compensation under the head loss of dependency.

To   the   aforesaid   extent,   the   impugned   judgment   and

orders passed by the High Court are required to be modified.

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5. In view of the above and for the reason stated above, both

the appeals succeed in part.   The impugned judgment and

order passed by the High Court in MFA No.200507 of 2018 is

hereby modified and it is held that the original claimants shall

be   entitled   to   a   total   sum   of   Rs.18,50,120/­   towards   the

compensation with 6% interest (in place of Rs.15,98,120/­ as

awarded by the learned Tribunal).

Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022 is partly allowed to the

aforesaid extent. 

5.1 The impugned judgment and order passed by the High

Court in MFA No.200509 of 2018 is hereby modified and it is

held that the original claimants shall be entitled to a total sum

of Rs.15,76,104/­ towards the compensation with 6% interest

(in   place   of   Rs.12,25,104/­   as   awarded   by   the   learned

Tribunal).

Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022 is hereby partly allowed to

the aforesaid extent.

The   respondents/insurance   company   to   deposit   the

balance enhanced amount of compensation with the learned

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Tribunal  within  a  period of  eight weeks from today failing

which it shall carry an interest @ 7.5 % all throughout.

Both these appeals are partly allowed to the  aforesaid

extent.  In the facts and circumstances of the case, there shall

be no order as to costs.

………………………………….J.

       [M.R. SHAH]

NEW DELHI;     ….…………………………….J.

SEPTEMBER 23, 2022.     [KRISHNA MURARI]

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