Authority: High Court of Andhra Pradesh at Amaravati (Special Original Jurisdiction)

Order Date: 29 September 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: Appellant – Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) represented by its General Manager, Musheerabad, Hyderabad; Respondents – family of the deceased K. Nagaraju (wife, minor son, parents, sister) and the driver of the APSRTC bus.
  • Nature of Proceeding: Motor Accident Civil Miscellaneous Appeal No. 1652/2017 under Order 41 of the CPC, challenging the judgment and decree dated 14‑02‑2017 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal‑cum‑III Additional District Judge, Ananthapuramu (O.P. No. 424 of 2015).
  • Background: On 24‑03‑2015 at about 09:30 A.M., the deceased K. Nagaraju was driving an auto‑rickshaw (No. AP 02 TB 6628) from Ananthapuramu to Singanamala. Near the district jail, an APSRTC bus (No. AP 28 Z 2831) allegedly drove rashly and collided with the auto, causing multiple injuries and the instantaneous death of the driver.
  • Criminal Proceedings: A criminal case No. 59 of 2015 was registered under Sections 337 and 304‑A IPC against the APSRTC bus driver. The charge‑sheet was filed, confirming the driver’s negligence.
  • Claims by Petitioners: Compensation of Rs 8,58,500 for loss of earnings, consortium, love‑affection, loss of estate, funeral expenses, and related costs. The deceased was 29 years old, earned Rs 500 per day, and had a notional monthly income of Rs 4,500 (after deduction of personal expenses). A multiplier of 17 was applied.
  • Defence by Respondents: APSRTC and the driver contended that the deceased was at fault, had no driving licence, and that the compensation claim was excessive.
  • Evidence: Eye‑witness testimony of PW‑2, post‑mortem report (Ex A2), inquest report (Ex A3), sale agreement of the auto (Ex A5), finance documents (Ex A6), registration proof (Ex A7), and charge‑sheet (Ex A4) established the driver’s rash negligence and the deceased’s earnings.

Final Outcome

  • The Court held that the accident was caused by the rash and negligent driving of the APSRTC bus driver (respondent No. 1).
  • Both APSRTC (respondent No. 2) and the driver were held jointly and severally liable for the compensation.
  • The Tribunal’s award of Rs 8,58,500 was deemed just and fair; the breakdown included:
  • Loss of earnings: Rs 6,88,500
  • Consortium: Rs 1,20,000 (adjusted from original Rs 1,00,000)
  • Love and affection: Rs 50,000
  • Funeral expenses: Rs 15,000 (adjusted from Rs 10,000)
  • Loss of estate: Rs 15,000 (adjusted from Rs 10,000)
  • Transportation: Rs 20,000
  • The appeal is dismissed, confirming the Tribunal’s decree dated 14‑02‑2017. All pending miscellaneous petitions, if any, stand closed.

Topics: Motor Accident Compensation, Transport Liability