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CDJ 2026 MHC 5488
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| Court : High Court of Judicature at Madras |
| Case No : CMA. No. 2377 of 2026 |
| Judges: THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE N. ANAND VENKATESH |
| Parties : Jaya & Others Versus Natarajan & Another |
| Appearing Advocates : For the Petitioners: S.P. Yuvaraj, Advocate. For the Respondents: R2, P. Suresh Srinivasan, Advocate. |
| Date of Judgment : 30-07-2026 |
| Head Note :- |
Motor Vehicles Act - Section 173 -
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| Summary :- |
1. Statutes / Acts / Rules / Orders / Regulations, and Sections Mentioned:
- Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act
2. Catch Words:
- Compensation
- Loss of Dependency
- Loss of Estate
- Funeral Expenses
- Loss of Consortium
- Enhancement of Compensation
3. Summary:
The appeal challenges the award of Rs.10,10,900 granted by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal to the children of the deceased, alleging insufficient compensation. The Tribunal had found the two‑wheeler rider negligent and fixed amounts for loss of dependency, estate, funeral expenses, and loss of consortium. The appellants contend that the deceased, being 60 years old, could not be a source of dependency for his children aged 42‑46, rendering the loss of dependency award inappropriate. The Court examined the factual matrix and deemed the Tribunal’s findings on liability correct. However, it held that the claimants could not be considered dependents of the deceased and thus the loss of dependency component was misplaced. Nonetheless, the Court chose not to interfere with the Tribunal’s award. Consequently, the appeal was dismissed without costs.
4. Conclusion:
Appeal Dismissed |
| Judgment :- |
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(Prayer: Civil Miscellaneous Appeal filed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, appeal challenging the order dated 16.10.2024 made in MCOP No.535 of 2021, on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Special District Court, Krishnagiri.)
1. This appeal has been filed against the Award passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Special District Court, Krishnagiri in MCOP No.535 of 2021 dated 16.10.2024, wherein the claimants have seeking for enhancement of compensation.
2. The claimants are the children of the deceased, Ellammal. The case of the claimants is that on 15.02.2021, the deceased was walking on the extreme left side of the Rayakottai-Krishnagiri Road and at about 06.30 a.m., the offending vehicle which was a two wheeler belonging to the 1st respondent was ridden in a rash and negligent manner and it dashed on the deceased. As a result of which, the deceased sustained fatal injuries and succumbed to the injuries. An FIR came to be registered against the rider of the two wheeler in Crime No.50 of 2021. It is under these circumstances, the claim petition came to be filed before the Tribunal.
3.The Tribunal on considering the facts and circumstances of the case and on appreciation of oral and documentary evidence, came to a conclusion that the accident had taken place only due to the rash and negligent driving on the part of the rider of the two wheeler.
4. Having rendered the above finding, the Tribunal fixed the total compensation at Rs.10,10,900/- under various heads as follows:
Compensation awarded under the head
| Amount (in Rs.)
| Loss of Dependency
| 75,000
| Loss of Estate
| 20,000
| Funeral Expenses
| 20,000
| Loss of Consortium
| 1,76,000
| Total
| 10,10,900
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5. The above compensation was directed to be paid along with interest at the rate of 7.5% per annum.
6. Aggrieved by the same, the claimant has filed the present appeal seeking for enhancement of compensation.
7. Heard the learned counsel for the appellants and the learned counsel appearing on behalf of the 2nd respondent.
8. The bone of contention is regarding the notional monthly income that was fixed by the Tribunal while calculating the compensation under the head of ‘Loss of Dependency’.
9. In the considered view of this Court, the claimants are all aged about 42 to 46 years and the deceased was aged about 60 years and by no stretch, the claimants can be called dependents on the deceased. In spite of the same, the Tribunal has fixed the compensation under the head of ‘Loss of Income’.
10. In view of the above, this Court does not want to tinker with the Award passed by the Tribunal and the Award passed by the Tribunal is confirmed.
11. Accordingly, this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal stands dismissed. No Costs.
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