Supreme Court Grants Rs 25L Lump‑Sum to Bennyachan

Authority: Supreme Court of India, Civil Appellate Jurisdiction

Order Date: 23 September 2026

Case Overview

• Parties: Appellant Melvin Bennyachan vs. Respondent The Oriental Insurance Company Ltd.
• Origin: Motor accident claim; Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Muvattupuzha awarded Rs 14,85,985 with 9% interest per annum.
• High Court of Kerala (Ernakulam) enhanced award to Rs 29,72,770 and reduced interest to 8% per annum.
• Appellant suffered below‑knee amputation, requiring prosthetic limb; counsel argued cost Rs 2,50,000 and maintenance Rs 15,000 per year, citing Prahlad Sahai judgment (prosthetic cost Rs 2.5 lakh every five years till age 70 and Rs 15,000 annual maintenance).
• Respondent argued compensation reasonable but could not dispute prosthetic cost precedent.

Final Outcome

• Supreme Court allowed the appeal, adding a lump‑sum compensation of Rs 25,00,000 to the amount already awarded by the High Court.
• The Rs 25 lakh is to be paid within eight weeks from the order date, without any interest.
• All pending applications, if any, are disposed of.

Topics: Compensation, Insurance, Supreme Court