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

Order Date: 02 November 2026

Case Overview

  • Parties: appellant APSRTC (Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) vs. petitioners Gunireddy Chandra Kalavathi (wife) and sons Gunireddy Sreenivasulu Reddy & Gunireddy Sudharshana Reddy (family of the deceased). Separate appeals numbered MACMA No.452/2017 (APSRTC) and MACMA No.932/2017 (petitioners) were filed under Order 41 of the CPC against the judgment and decree dated 30‑08‑2016 in MVOP No.449/2013 of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal‑cum‑VI Additional District Judge, Kadapa.
  • Accident Background: On 14‑05‑2012 at ~5:30 a.m., at Platform No.8, RTC bus stand Kadapa, APSRTC bus No. AP11‑Z‑3538 (Proddatur Depot) allegedly drove rashly and struck Gunireddy Ramachandra Reddy, a 52‑year‑old RTC driver earning Rs 12,292 per month (net Rs 12,232 after professional tax). He was taken to RIMS Hospital and later declared dead. A criminal case (No. 76/2012) under Sec 304‑A IPC was lodged against the driver and conductor; the charge sheet and Motor Vehicles Inspector report found no mechanical defect.
  • Legal Contentions: APSRTC argued no negligence, that the deceased was at fault, and that compensation was excessive. Petitioners contended the tribunal erred on facts, failed to consider future earnings, omitted transportation allowance, and sought higher compensation per Supreme Court precedents (e.g., Rajesh v. Raj Beer Singh).
  • Tribunal Findings (Original): The Tribunal awarded Rs 10,51,860 with 7.5% interest, finding the driver negligent and the petitioners entitled to compensation.
  • Court’s Re‑examination: The High Court re‑appraised oral and documentary evidence, affirmed the driver’s rash negligence, confirmed the deceased’s age (52) and net monthly income (Rs 12,232), and applied Supreme Court jurisprudence on entitlement of legal representatives (including major sons) to compensation.
  • Compensation Calculation Adopted by Court:

| Head | Calculation | Amount (Rs.) |

| Annual income (12,232 × 12) | 1,46,784 |

| Deduction for personal expenses (1/3) | 48,928 |

| Net income after deduction | 97,856 |

| Future prospects (15% of net) | 14,678 |

| Total loss of earnings | 1,12,534 |

| Loss of dependency (×11) | 12,37,874 |

| Loss of consortium (40,000 × 3) | 1,20,000 |

| Funeral expenses | 15,000 |

| Loss of estate | 15,000 |

| Grand Total | 13,87,874 (rounded to 13,87,900) |

Final Outcome

  • MACMA No.932/2017 (Petitioners’ Appeal): Allowed. Compensation increased from Rs 10,52,860 to Rs 13,87,900 with simple interest at 7.5% per annum from the date of the petition until realization. Allocation: Rs 11,87,900 to petitioner No.1 (widow) and Rs 1,00,000 each to petitioners Nos.2 & 3 (sons). The amount, after deducting any already deposited, must be paid within one month of the Tribunal receiving this judgment. Petitioners may withdraw the awarded sum plus accrued interest after deduction of any prior payments.
  • MACMA No.452/2017 (APSRTC’s Appeal): Dismissed. No order as to costs. All pending miscellaneous petitions stand closed.

Topics: Motor Accident Compensation, Transport Liability