Court Enhances Parsuram Rout Compensation Rs 3 Lakh

Case Name: Parsuram Rout vs. Batakrushna Sahoo & Anr
Court/Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appeal No. 2026 (arising out of SLP No. 6429 of 2026)
Order Date: 01 April 2026 (New Delhi)
Accident Date: 22 March 1997
Claim Petition Filing Date: 08 September 1997

Appellant/Claimant: Parsuram Rout
Respondents: Batakrushna Sahoo & Anr (vehicle owners) and Respondent No. 2 – United India Insurance Company Limited (insurer)
Lower Forums: Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Cuttack (Misc. Case No. 783 of 1997); High Court of Orissa at Cuttack (MACA No. 250 of 2022)

Determination of adequate compensation for injuries (fracture of left foot, spinal injury) sustained in the 1997 motor accident.
Whether compensation should include amounts for permanent disability and future loss of earnings.
Calculation of interest at 6% per annum from the date of filing the claim petition (08‑09‑1997).

The Supreme Court noted the seriousness of the injuries, prolonged medical treatment, and the pendency of proceedings.
While the High Court did not award compensation for permanent disability due to lack of satisfactory nexus, the Court found the need for further enhancement to meet the ends of justice.
The Court considered the age of the injured, the disability suffered, the amount originally claimed, and the evidence presented.

An additional lump‑sum compensation of Rs 3,00,000 is awarded to the appellant, on top of the High Court’s award of Rs 82,000.
United India Insurance Company Limited must pay the Rs 3,00,000 within eight weeks from the date of uploading this order.
If payment is delayed, interest at 6% per annum will accrue from 08‑09‑1997 until realization.
The amount is to be remitted directly into the claimant‑appellant’s bank account; bank account details are to be furnished by the appellant’s counsel to the insurer’s counsel within one week.
Any amount already deposited under the Tribunal’s award or the High Court’s enhancement shall be released in favour of the claimant; if not deposited, it shall be paid immediately.

United India Insurance Company Limited must comply with the payment timeline and interest provisions.
The appellant’s counsel must provide bank account particulars within the stipulated one‑week period.
The insurer must ensure release of any previously deposited amounts as directed.

The appeal is allowed in the terms stated above.
All pending applications, if any, are disposed of.
The order is signed by J. Sanjay Karol and J. Augustine George Masih on 01‑04‑2026.