Rs 27 lakh to accident victim's kin

The family members of a 34-year-old Municipal Corporation of Delhi employee, who died in an accident in 2010, has been given compensation of over Rs 27.63 lakh by a motor accident claims tribunal. 

Manoj Kumar was killed after he was hit by a speeding motorcycle.

The tribunal’s presiding officer Arun Bhardwaj directed Iffco Tokio General Insurance Company Ltd, with which the two-wheeler was insured, to pay the sum to Kumar’s family within a month.

The tribunal held that the motorcycle rider, Sukhjinder Sandhu, was driving negligently. “As per evidence from the prosecution’s witness, negligence by Sukhjinder Sandhu in driving the vehicle resulted in fatal injuries to Kumar,” said the tribunal.

“The total compensation payable to Kumar’s family is Rs 27,63,736. The insurance firm has not proved any of the statutory defence available to avoid its liability,” the tribunal held.Ved Prakash, the primary witness, said he and Kumar were part of a group of kawarias (a type of Hindu pilgrims) coming from Haridwar on August 8, 2010. 

They were walking and it was raining. When they reached Mohan Nagar in Ghaziabad, a motorcycle bearing a UP registration number hit Kumar from the back. 

The two-wheeler was on a high speed. Kumar was taken to hospital, where he died.

Of the total compensation, Rs 5 lakh each was apportioned by the tribunal in favour of the widow, three children and Kumar’s mother. 

The remaining amount of Rs 2,63,736 was released in favour of Kumar’s father.