Punjab Roadways asked to pay Rs 12L to kin of accident victim

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of over Rs 12 lakh to family members of a 42-year-old man, who died in a road accident involving a rashly-driven Punjab Roadways bus in 2011.

MACT Presiding Officer Manish Gupta directed Punjab Roadways and M D of Punjab State Bus Stand Management Company Ltd, owner of the bus, to pay Rs 12,77,016 to the six family members of Ram Awadh Singh who was hit by the bus when he was on his motorcycle.

The tribunal, while awarding the compensation, relied on the testimony of the victim’s wife and an eyewitness, along with documents including FIR, post mortem report and seizure memos of both the vehicles (bus and motorcycle).

“In view of facts and circumstances and the evidence, it is clear that the accident in question occurred due to the negligence of the driver of the offending bus. Accordingly, it is held that Singh expired due to injuries sustained by him on account of rash and negligent driving of the bus…” it said.

According to the petition filed by the mother, wife and three children of Singh, who was an electrician, on June 17, 2011 he was going on his motorcycle and when he reached near Alipur bypass road, Bhalaswa here, the Punjab State Roadways bus being driven rashly and negligently hit him with great force.

Due to the impact, he fell on the road and received serious injuries. He was taken to a nearby hospital by some people, but was declared by doctors as brought dead.

Through the petition, his family members had claimed a compensation of Rs 20 lakh.

During the proceedings, the driver and owner of the bus had filed their written statements contending that the victim was responsible for the accident as he was driving his bike rashly and negligently.

Punjab Roadways had also argued that the eyewitness who had deposed against the driver was planted by the petitioners.

Source:: Indian Express