In a dramatic turn of events, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) was compelled to settle a 15-year-old accident compensation case within a single day. This swift action came only after a court in Chikkamagaluru ordered the attachment and seizure of a KSRTC bus, highlighting the extreme measures needed to resolve long-pending legal dues.
A 15-Year Wait for Justice
The tragic incident dates back 15 years, when a bus accident claimed the life of a young girl from Poomadihalli village in Hassan taluk. She was the daughter of Ramachandra and Vasantha. Grieving and seeking redress, the parents initially approached the court for compensation and later appealed to the high court, seeking a higher amount.
Despite multiple legal notices sent to the transport department over the years, the compensation payment was consistently delayed. The family's advocate stated that the persistent inaction finally led the court to take a stringent step: ordering the seizure of a KSRTC bus from the Chikkamagaluru depot with the help of court bailiffs.
Court Order Triggers Immediate Action
The attachment of the bus served as an immediate catalyst. KSRTC divisional controller Niranjan confirmed that following the seizure, the authorities moved rapidly to release the long-pending compensation amount to the victim's family. Subsequently, the bus was released from court custody.
Officials explained that the matter was settled promptly to avoid further legal complications and operational disruptions. An officer revealed that acting on orders from higher authorities, they resolved the case quickly. The officer also admitted that several such compensation cases are pending within KSRTC, and it is common for delays to occur. "In a few cases, the parties will tolerate delay," the officer said, adding, "We make prompt efforts to resolve the issues at the given time."
Broader Implications of the Case
This incident sheds stark light on the systemic delays within public sector undertakings in settling legal compensations. It underscores how judicial intervention, through tangible actions like asset seizure, can become necessary to enforce court orders and deliver justice, even if it arrives years later. The case sets a precedent for other pending matters, demonstrating that legal mechanisms exist to hold authorities accountable for inaction.
The resolution, though delayed for a decade and a half, finally brings a measure of closure to Ramachandra and Vasantha, whose fight for their daughter's justice required an extraordinary court mandate to reach its conclusion.
