published in http://judis.nic.in/supremecourt/imgst.aspx?filename=40780
NON-REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 8083 OF 2013
(Arising out of SLP(C) No.26872 of 2011)
R. Venkata Ramana & Anr. .....Appellants
Versus
The United India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors. …..Respondents
J U D G M E N T
ANIL R. DAVE, J.
1. Leave granted.
2. Being aggrieved by the Judgment delivered by the Andhra Pradesh High
Court in Civil Misc. Appeal No.1016 of 2007 on 27th December, 2010, this
appeal has been preferred on behalf of the claimants in a Motor Accident
Claim Petition.
3. The facts giving rise to the present appeal, in a nut shell, are as
under:
On account of an accident, which had taken place on 31st July, 2000,
around 6 p.m., son of the appellants had suffered severe injuries. He had
to be hospitalized and operations had to be performed. The injured was
left with 80% disability due to the accident. Looking at the nature of
injuries suffered by the injured, a claim for Rs.25,07,564/- was made by
the appellants and the injured, who was also a claimant before the Tribunal
but at present, possibly because of his inability, the appeal has been
filed by the parents.
4. After considering the evidence and looking at the injuries suffered
and physical condition of the injured, namely, Rajanala Ravi Krishna, who
was hardly 17 years old at the time of the accident, by way of
compensation, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.18,75,800/- with interest @
7.5 % from the date of presentation of the petition till realization of the
said amount.
5. Being aggrieved by the order passed by the Tribunal, respondent No.1
– United India Insurance Company Ltd., filed Civil Misc. Appeal No.1016 of
2007 praying that the amount of compensation be reduced as it was much on
higher side. After hearing the concerned counsel and looking at the
evidence, the High Court allowed the civil misc. appeal by reducing the
amount of compensation to a sum of Rs.12,45,800/- with interest thereon to
the claimants.
6. Being aggrieved by the reduction in the amount of compensation, the
parents of the 17 years old injured student have approached this Court by
way of this appeal.
7. The learned counsel appearing for the appellants had submitted that
the Tribunal had awarded just and proper compensation which ought not to
have been reduced by the High Court. The learned counsel had taken us
through the order passed by the Tribunal and the relevant evidence. Upon
perusal of the evidence, we find that the son of the appellants, as a
result of the accident, is suffering from 80% permanent disability. The
Neurologist who had been examined by the Tribunal had stated that there was
no chance of any improvement in the health of the injured. Upon perusal of
the evidence, we find that Rajanala Ravi Krishna, as a result of the
accident, tracheotomy and other surgeries performed on him, he has
practically become bedridden, except for the fact that he can be moved in a
wheel chair. He requires continuous nursing because he is unable to
perform his day to day activities. In the circumstances, the learned
counsel had submitted that the amount of compensation awarded by the
Tribunal was just and proper.
8. On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the respondent –
Insurance Company had submitted that the Tribunal had awarded huge amount
of compensation to a person who was not having any income and was only a
student, whose future was not known to any one. In the said circumstances,
according to the learned counsel, the High Court had rightly considered the
judgment delivered by this Court in the case of Sarla Verma v. Delhi Road
Transport Corporation 2009(6) SCC 121 while awarding just amount of
compensation. He had supported the judgment delivered by the High Court
and had submitted that the present appeal be dismissed.
9. Upon hearing the learned counsel and looking at the impugned judgment
and the order of the Tribunal as well as the evidence adduced on behalf of
the claimants, we are of the view that the Tribunal was not at all lenient
in the matter of awarding the compensation and the compensation awarded by
the Tribunal was just and proper.
10. We have considered the facts and the injuries suffered by Rajanala
Ravi Krishna, who was hardly 17 years old student at the time of the
accident. We need not go into the negligence part of the driver because
even in the criminal proceedings it had been held that the driver of the
vehicle was guilty of rash and negligent driving. Upon perusal of the
evidence, we find that the condition of Rajanala Ravi Krishna, after the
accident has become very pathetic. Evidence adduced by the Neurologist and
other evidence also reveal that Rajanala Ravi Krishna shall not be in a
position to speak for his life and shall not be in a position to do
anything except breathing for his life, unless a miracle happens. He would
require care of a person every day so as to see that he is given food, bath
etc. and so as to enable him even in the matter of answering natural call.
It would be worth producing the reaction of the Tribunal after appreciating
evidence of the doctor and the said portion of the Tribunal’s order has
been even reproduced by the High Court in its judgment:
“It is not in dispute that because of this accident the injured
petitioner who appears to be an active and bright student from
Exs.A.481 to A.487, he lost all the function of his all four limbs on
account of the severe injuries sustained by him. I have myself
questioned PW.2 to find out the graveness of the injuries that are
sustained by the injured third petitioner. It has been the evidence
of PW.2 that there is no possibility of the injured petitioner
regaining normal power of all the four limbs inspite of any amount of
treatment. The patient require physio therapy throughout his life and
assistance of some person for all his activities. PW.2 has also
stated that it is difficult to say even by the time he was giving
evidence whether the patient could regain his voice, PW.2 further
stated that the patient requires regular medication of at least
Rs.500/- per day for his subsistence. PW.2 also stated the patient
requires some bodies assistance even for taking food and finally PW.2
stated that the patient is medically described as in a “vegitiative
state” and patient is called as “spastic quadric paresys”.
11. Looking at the aforestated facts which even the High Court had
noticed, we feel that the Tribunal can not be said to have awarded more
amount by way of compensation.
12. From the order of the tribunal, we find that
the appellants had in
fact proved that they had spent Rs.3,49,128/- towards medical expenses for
treating their son. They had to purchase certain instruments worth
Rs.58,642/- for making life of their son comfortable and Rs.31,000/- had
been spent towards nursing and Rs.1,37,000/- had to be spent for
Physiotherapist. Looking at the fact that Rajanala Ravi Krishna will have
to remain dependant for his whole life on someone and looking at the
observations made by the Tribunal, which have been reproduced hereinabove,
in our opinion, his life is very miserable and there would be substantial
financial burden on the appellants for the entire life of their injured
son. At times it is not possible to award compensation strictly in
accordance with the law laid down as in a particular case it may not be
just also. We are hesitant to say that it is a reality of life that at
times life of an injured or sick person becomes more miserable for the
person and for the family members than the death. Here is one such case
where the appellants, even during their retired life will have to take care
of their son like a child especially when they would have expected the son
to take their care.
13. Though, the High Court has rightly followed the principle laid down
in the case of Sarla Verma (supra), in our opinion, the amount of
compensation awarded by the Tribunal is more just.
The Tribunal awarded a
lump sum of Rs.10 lacs and the amount of expenditure incurred by the
appellants for treating their son.
The total amount awarded by the
Tribunal was Rs.18,75,800/- which, in our opinion, is not too much and in
our opinion, the said amount should be awarded to the appellants.
14. In the circumstances, we quash and set aside the judgment delivered
by the High Court and restore the order of the Tribunal. The amount of
compensation determined by the Tribunal along with interest @ 7.5 % from
the date of presentation of the claim petition till its realization shall
be paid to the appellants.
15. The appeal is allowed with no order as to costs.
……...........................................J.
(ANIL R. DAVE)
……...........................................J.
(DIPAK MISRA)
New Delhi
September 17, 2013
NON-REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO. 8083 OF 2013
(Arising out of SLP(C) No.26872 of 2011)
R. Venkata Ramana & Anr. .....Appellants
Versus
The United India Insurance Co. Ltd. & Ors. …..Respondents
J U D G M E N T
ANIL R. DAVE, J.
1. Leave granted.
2. Being aggrieved by the Judgment delivered by the Andhra Pradesh High
Court in Civil Misc. Appeal No.1016 of 2007 on 27th December, 2010, this
appeal has been preferred on behalf of the claimants in a Motor Accident
Claim Petition.
3. The facts giving rise to the present appeal, in a nut shell, are as
under:
On account of an accident, which had taken place on 31st July, 2000,
around 6 p.m., son of the appellants had suffered severe injuries. He had
to be hospitalized and operations had to be performed. The injured was
left with 80% disability due to the accident. Looking at the nature of
injuries suffered by the injured, a claim for Rs.25,07,564/- was made by
the appellants and the injured, who was also a claimant before the Tribunal
but at present, possibly because of his inability, the appeal has been
filed by the parents.
4. After considering the evidence and looking at the injuries suffered
and physical condition of the injured, namely, Rajanala Ravi Krishna, who
was hardly 17 years old at the time of the accident, by way of
compensation, the Tribunal awarded a sum of Rs.18,75,800/- with interest @
7.5 % from the date of presentation of the petition till realization of the
said amount.
5. Being aggrieved by the order passed by the Tribunal, respondent No.1
– United India Insurance Company Ltd., filed Civil Misc. Appeal No.1016 of
2007 praying that the amount of compensation be reduced as it was much on
higher side. After hearing the concerned counsel and looking at the
evidence, the High Court allowed the civil misc. appeal by reducing the
amount of compensation to a sum of Rs.12,45,800/- with interest thereon to
the claimants.
6. Being aggrieved by the reduction in the amount of compensation, the
parents of the 17 years old injured student have approached this Court by
way of this appeal.
7. The learned counsel appearing for the appellants had submitted that
the Tribunal had awarded just and proper compensation which ought not to
have been reduced by the High Court. The learned counsel had taken us
through the order passed by the Tribunal and the relevant evidence. Upon
perusal of the evidence, we find that the son of the appellants, as a
result of the accident, is suffering from 80% permanent disability. The
Neurologist who had been examined by the Tribunal had stated that there was
no chance of any improvement in the health of the injured. Upon perusal of
the evidence, we find that Rajanala Ravi Krishna, as a result of the
accident, tracheotomy and other surgeries performed on him, he has
practically become bedridden, except for the fact that he can be moved in a
wheel chair. He requires continuous nursing because he is unable to
perform his day to day activities. In the circumstances, the learned
counsel had submitted that the amount of compensation awarded by the
Tribunal was just and proper.
8. On the other hand, the learned counsel appearing for the respondent –
Insurance Company had submitted that the Tribunal had awarded huge amount
of compensation to a person who was not having any income and was only a
student, whose future was not known to any one. In the said circumstances,
according to the learned counsel, the High Court had rightly considered the
judgment delivered by this Court in the case of Sarla Verma v. Delhi Road
Transport Corporation 2009(6) SCC 121 while awarding just amount of
compensation. He had supported the judgment delivered by the High Court
and had submitted that the present appeal be dismissed.
9. Upon hearing the learned counsel and looking at the impugned judgment
and the order of the Tribunal as well as the evidence adduced on behalf of
the claimants, we are of the view that the Tribunal was not at all lenient
in the matter of awarding the compensation and the compensation awarded by
the Tribunal was just and proper.
10. We have considered the facts and the injuries suffered by Rajanala
Ravi Krishna, who was hardly 17 years old student at the time of the
accident. We need not go into the negligence part of the driver because
even in the criminal proceedings it had been held that the driver of the
vehicle was guilty of rash and negligent driving. Upon perusal of the
evidence, we find that the condition of Rajanala Ravi Krishna, after the
accident has become very pathetic. Evidence adduced by the Neurologist and
other evidence also reveal that Rajanala Ravi Krishna shall not be in a
position to speak for his life and shall not be in a position to do
anything except breathing for his life, unless a miracle happens. He would
require care of a person every day so as to see that he is given food, bath
etc. and so as to enable him even in the matter of answering natural call.
It would be worth producing the reaction of the Tribunal after appreciating
evidence of the doctor and the said portion of the Tribunal’s order has
been even reproduced by the High Court in its judgment:
“It is not in dispute that because of this accident the injured
petitioner who appears to be an active and bright student from
Exs.A.481 to A.487, he lost all the function of his all four limbs on
account of the severe injuries sustained by him. I have myself
questioned PW.2 to find out the graveness of the injuries that are
sustained by the injured third petitioner. It has been the evidence
of PW.2 that there is no possibility of the injured petitioner
regaining normal power of all the four limbs inspite of any amount of
treatment. The patient require physio therapy throughout his life and
assistance of some person for all his activities. PW.2 has also
stated that it is difficult to say even by the time he was giving
evidence whether the patient could regain his voice, PW.2 further
stated that the patient requires regular medication of at least
Rs.500/- per day for his subsistence. PW.2 also stated the patient
requires some bodies assistance even for taking food and finally PW.2
stated that the patient is medically described as in a “vegitiative
state” and patient is called as “spastic quadric paresys”.
11. Looking at the aforestated facts which even the High Court had
noticed, we feel that the Tribunal can not be said to have awarded more
amount by way of compensation.
12. From the order of the tribunal, we find that
the appellants had in
fact proved that they had spent Rs.3,49,128/- towards medical expenses for
treating their son. They had to purchase certain instruments worth
Rs.58,642/- for making life of their son comfortable and Rs.31,000/- had
been spent towards nursing and Rs.1,37,000/- had to be spent for
Physiotherapist. Looking at the fact that Rajanala Ravi Krishna will have
to remain dependant for his whole life on someone and looking at the
observations made by the Tribunal, which have been reproduced hereinabove,
in our opinion, his life is very miserable and there would be substantial
financial burden on the appellants for the entire life of their injured
son. At times it is not possible to award compensation strictly in
accordance with the law laid down as in a particular case it may not be
just also. We are hesitant to say that it is a reality of life that at
times life of an injured or sick person becomes more miserable for the
person and for the family members than the death. Here is one such case
where the appellants, even during their retired life will have to take care
of their son like a child especially when they would have expected the son
to take their care.
13. Though, the High Court has rightly followed the principle laid down
in the case of Sarla Verma (supra), in our opinion, the amount of
compensation awarded by the Tribunal is more just.
The Tribunal awarded a
lump sum of Rs.10 lacs and the amount of expenditure incurred by the
appellants for treating their son.
The total amount awarded by the
Tribunal was Rs.18,75,800/- which, in our opinion, is not too much and in
our opinion, the said amount should be awarded to the appellants.
14. In the circumstances, we quash and set aside the judgment delivered
by the High Court and restore the order of the Tribunal. The amount of
compensation determined by the Tribunal along with interest @ 7.5 % from
the date of presentation of the claim petition till its realization shall
be paid to the appellants.
15. The appeal is allowed with no order as to costs.
……...........................................J.
(ANIL R. DAVE)
……...........................................J.
(DIPAK MISRA)
New Delhi
September 17, 2013
