Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction
Order Date: 07 August 2026
Case Overview
- Parties: Appellant Shankar Lal Keshari (labourer) vs Respondent S K Samanta and Cooperative Limited (employer).
- Accident: 27 November 2020, motor vehicle accident involving Hyva Truck (Reg. No. MP66D0802); resulted in right‑leg above‑knee amputation, left‑leg rod insertion, 90 % permanent disability certified.
- Lower proceedings: IVth Additional Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Singrauli awarded Rs 29,59,108 with 7 % interest, based on monthly income Rs 12,000 (daily wage Rs 400) and multiplier 16 (age 32).
- High Court: Miscellaneous Appeal No. 4068 of 2024, order dated 02 September 2025 enhanced compensation to Rs 47,09,108 (increase of Rs 17,50,000).
- Issues before Supreme Court: Incorrect income assessment (Rs 12,000) despite appellant’s testimony of Rs 20,000 monthly and employer’s admission of approx Rs 15,000 plus overtime, night allowance and special allowance; need to recompute compensation under “just compensation” principles.
Re‑calculation of Compensation
- Monthly income fixed at Rs 20,000 → Yearly income Rs 3,60,000.
- Future prospects: 40 % of yearly income = Rs 1,44,000.
- Total for income component = Rs 5,04,000; multiplier 16 → Rs 85,64,000.
- Permanent functional disability (100 %) valued at Rs 80,64,000.
- Additional heads:
- Medical expenses: Rs 3,50,000
- Attendant charges: Rs 9,00,000
- Special diet & transportation: Rs 1,00,000
- Pain and suffering: Rs 5,00,000
- Prosthetic limb maintenance: Rs 10,00,000
- Grand total compensation: Rs 1,09,14,000 (One Crore Nine Lakh Fourteen Thousand Only).
Final Outcome
- Civil Appeal allowed; total compensation of Rs 1,09,14,000 awarded with 7 % per annum interest from the date of filing the claim petition until realization.
- Payment to be directly remitted into appellant’s bank account within eight weeks of the order; bank details to be supplied by counsel.
- Observations of lower courts on joint‑and‑several liability remain unchanged.
- Any pending applications stand disposed of.
Topics: Motor Accident Compensation, Supreme Court Order