Mahendra Karsh Compensation Enhanced to Rs 16.59 Lakh

Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur

Order Date: 06 October 2026

Parties: Appellants – Revati Bai (widow) and sons Shubham Karsh and Dinesh Karsh, claimants for death of Mahendra Karsh; Respondents – Bhuneshwar Patel (driver), Krishna Kumar Patel (owner) of the offending harvester and tractor, and The New India Insurance Company Limited (insurer).
The appeal under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 challenges the award dated 17 July 2023 in Claim Case No. 04/2023, where the Claims Tribunal awarded Rs 10,85,000 as compensation for the road accident on 16 November 2022.
Claimants argued that the Tribunal incorrectly assessed the deceased’s monthly income at Rs 6,000 and applied a 40 % addition for future prospects; they sought assessment at Rs 9,960 per month (per Minimum Wages Notification) and a 25 % addition, plus a 10 % enhancement of conventional heads.
Respondents (drivers/owners) contended the Tribunal’s award was proper; the insurer argued the future‑prospects addition should be 25 % because the deceased was 40 years old.
The Court also considered an application for condonation of a 104‑day delay in filing the appeal, which was allowed.

The Court partially allowed the appeal.
Monthly income of the deceased is fixed at Rs 9,960; future‑prospects addition reduced to 25 %; multiplier of 15 applied; conventional heads enhanced to Rs 1,65,000.
Total compensation revised from Rs 10,85,000 to Rs 16,59,000.
Claimants entitled to an additional Rs 5,74,000, payable with interest at 6 % per annum from the date of filing of the claim before the Tribunal until realization.
All other conditions of the impugned award remain intact.
The Registry directed to communicate the enhanced amount in Hindi Devanagari, with assistance of paralegal workers coordinated by the Secretary, Legal Aid of the relevant area.

Topics: Compensation, Motor Accident, Court Judgment