The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra’s Thane district has awarded compensation totalling Rs 63.76 lakh to the family of a couple and their 11-year-old son who lost their lives in a road accident in 2020, reported the PTI.
The compensation has been granted to the couple’s surviving children and their grandmother.
MACT member R V Mohite held the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) responsible for the incident, citing rash and negligent driving by the bus driver. The tribunal dismissed the corporation’s argument that the motorcycle rider was at fault for carrying five passengers, ruling instead that the primary cause of the accident was the bus driver’s conduct, according to the PTI.
The tragic incident took place on November 12, 2020 near Shahapur.
Sakharam Maya Mukane (34) was travelling on a motorcycle with his wife Indra (29) and their three sons when a speeding state transport bus collided with them. The couple died instantly, while their three sons sustained severe injuries. One of the children later succumbed to injuries during treatment in hospital, the news agency reported.
Survivors had suffered serious injuries
The two surviving sons, Navnath and Eknath, who were eight and five years old at the time, suffered grievous injuries but survived the crash. The tribunal considered their condition and future needs while determining the compensation, as per the PTI.
In its observations, the tribunal noted that the force of the collision was so intense that the motorcycle was dragged for some distance, indicating that the bus was travelling at high speed. This finding further reinforced the conclusion of negligent driving.
Compensation with interest
The order, passed on April 17 and made available on Sunday, relates to five separate petitions filed in connection with the accident. The tribunal directed MSRTC to pay the total compensation amount along with 9 per cent annual interest from the date of filing of the petitions, as per the PTI.
Thane court rejects Rs 50 lakh claim in 2019 crane accident
Meanwhile, in an another decision earlier this month, the Thane MACT had dismissed a Rs 50 lakh compensation claim filed by the family of a 32-year-old dock worker who died in a crane accident in 2019, reported the PTI.
The tribunal ruled that the victim had entered a restricted area without safety gear, contributing to the fatal incident.
MACT member K P Shrikhande observed that although the death of Kiran Lahanu Korade was tragic, the family failed to establish rash or negligent operation by the crane driver, the news agency reported.
The order, passed on April 8 and released on Monday, stated that the claim lacked sufficient evidence to hold the operator responsible.
(with PTI inputs)
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