Authority: High Court of Chhattisgarh at Bilaspur
Order Date: 13.10.2026
Case Overview
- Parties:
- Appellants: Uttara Kumari (widow of the deceased) and Purushottam Chandra (son of the deceased), residents of Borsi, Janjgir‑Champa, Chhattisgarh.
- Respondents: Kuldeep Singh (driver of the vehicle), Harnek Singh (owner of the vehicle), and National Insurance Company Limited (insurer of the vehicle), with the insurer represented by Advocate P.K. Tulsyan.
- Background: The deceased, Narayan Prasad Chandra, died from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident on 27.09.2024. The 5th Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Bilaspur (Case No. 1983/2024) awarded a compensation of Rs 14,82,500 on 08.10.2026.
- Dispute: The appellants contended that the Tribunal incorrectly assessed the deceased’s monthly income at Rs 10,380, asserting that he was a mason earning Rs 15,000 per month. They sought reassessment of income and enhancement of the compensation award.
- Counsel: Advocate Anand Kesharwani appeared for the appellants; no counsel appeared for respondents No. 1 & 2; Advocate P.K. Tulsyan appeared for the insurer (respondent No. 3).
- Court’s Findings:
- The Tribunal’s assessment was based on the minimum wages notification issued by the Labour Department, which prescribed Rs 10,380 per month for an unskilled labourer at the relevant time.
- No cogent or reliable evidence was presented to establish that the deceased earned Rs 15,000 per month as a mason.
- The Court found the Tribunal’s appreciation of evidence to be judicious and concluded there was no legal or factual infirmity in the award.
Final Outcome
- The appeal is dismissed. The compensation award of Rs 14,82,500, based on a monthly income of Rs 10,380, stands as awarded by the Tribunal.
- No order as to costs.
Topics: Motor Accident Compensation, Insurance Law, Judicial Review