The Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has delivered a significant verdict, ordering the owner of a motorcycle to pay Rs 36.9 lakh as compensation to the family of a 52-year-old man who lost his life in a tragic road accident near Padgha back in 2017.
The Fatal Collision
According to detailed case records examined by the tribunal, the victim was riding his motorcycle on January 29, 2017, at approximately 4:15 pm when the tragedy unfolded. Another motorcycle approaching from the opposite direction allegedly came at extremely high speed and collided head-on with the victim's vehicle.
The tribunal conducted a thorough investigation and concluded that the collision occurred exclusively due to rash and negligent driving by the rider of the other motorcycle. The impact proved fatal, with the victim sustaining severe injuries that required immediate medical attention.
Legal Proceedings and Ex-Parte Hearing
Following the devastating incident, Padgha Police registered a formal case invoking multiple legal sections including BNS 304A, 279, 337, and 338 along with relevant provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act. Despite receiving proper legal notice, the owner of the offending motorcycle chose not to participate in the tribunal proceedings.
This lack of cooperation from the vehicle owner forced the tribunal to conduct an ex-parte hearing, meaning the case proceeded without representation from the defense side. The tribunal based its decision on comprehensive documentation including the First Information Report (FIR), spot panchanama, post-mortem report, and the victim's salary records.
Compensation Calculation Breakdown
The tribunal's compensation calculation followed a meticulous process. It was established that the deceased was employed with a private company in Shahad, drawing a monthly salary of Rs 31,954. After making appropriate deductions for taxes and adding 10% for future prospects, the tribunal determined the annual income.
Applying a multiplier of 11 - considered appropriate for the victim's age group of 51-55 years - the tribunal computed the compensation amount. The final award of Rs 36.9 lakh was distributed under various heads including loss of dependency, loss of consortium, loss of estate, and funeral expenses, taking into account the financial needs of the victim's dependents.
In addition to the principal compensation amount, the tribunal has directed that the sum will carry 9% annual interest from June 23, 2017, which marks the date when the claim was originally filed. To ensure financial security for the family, a portion of the compensation will be placed in fixed deposits for three years.
