Road accident case: Kin of victim get over Rs 20L compensation

Family members of a 33-year-old man, who died in a road accident involving a rashly driven Haryana Roadways bus, have been awarded a compensation of over Rs 20 lakh by a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) here.
The tribunal directed the New India Assurance Company Ltd, insurer of the offending vehicle, to pay Rs 20,77,048 to the family members of Amit Sharma, who died in September 2012.
"It is settled law that the term rashness and negligence has to be construed lightly while making a decision on a petition for claim for the same as compared to the word rashness and negligence as finds mention in the Indian Penal Code," MACT presiding officer Sanjeev Kumar Singh said.

"Therefore, after considering all the documents filed by the petitioners as a whole it is clear that respondent 1 (driver) was driving the vehicle in a rash and negligent manner," the tribunal said.
The petition filed by the victim's family said that on September 5, 2012, Amit was going from his house in Gokal Pur village to Nehru Place on his bike when a speeding bus hit him from behind.
As a result of this, the deceased sustained serious injuries and died on the spot.

The family members of Amit, who was self employed, had claimed a compensation of Rs 20 lakh.

The driver, through a written statement, denied the rash and negligent aspect and also claimed that the contents of the petition were false.
Haryana Roadways did not file any statement.