Smt. Kalavati & Ors v. Mirza Kaisar Baig & Anr.

M. R. SHAH, J. 1. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court of Karnataka at Kalaburagi Bench passed in respective First Appeals, t he original claimants have preferred the present appeals and have prayed to enhance the amount of compensation. Civil Appeal No. 6676 of 2022 2. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court in M.F.A. No. 200507 of 2018 by which the High Court has enhanced the amount of compensation from Rs.10,70,000/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal to Rs.15,98,120/- only, the original claimants have preferred the present appeal. 2.1 The issue involved in the present appeal is in a very na rrow compass. 2.2 That the deceased at the time of accident/death was se rving as a driver and was holding a valid driving license. According to the original claimants he was earning Rs.15,000/- per month. 2.3 The learned Tribunal awarded the amount of compensation for the death of the deceased at Rs.10,70,000/- under different heads including the loss of dependency. The learned Tribunal considered the loss of dependency at Rs.9,00,000/- considering the inco me of the deceased at Rs.7,500/- per month. By the impugned judgment and order the High Court has enhanced the loss of dependency to Rs.14,28,120/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.8,500/- per month. 2.4 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court, the claimants have pref erred the present appeal for enhancing the amount of compensation on los s of 891 dependency considering the income of the deceased at Rs.15,000/- per month. Civil Appeal No. 6677 of 2022 3. Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order dated 19.02.2019 passed by the High Court in MFA No. 200509 of 2018 by which the High Court has enhanced the am ount of compensation from Rs.9,00,000/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal to Rs.12,25,104/- only, the original claimants have preferred the pr esent appeal. 3.1 That the learned Tribunal awarded a total sum of Rs.9,00,000/ - under different heads towards the compensation for the death o f the deceased – husband of the appellant no.1. The learned Tribuna l has awarded the loss of dependency at Rs.7,80,000/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs.7,500/- per month. In an appeal the High Court has enhanced the amount of compensation to Rs.12,25,104/- by enhancing the amount of compensation towards loss of dependen cy at Rs. 11,05,104/- considering the income of the deceased at Rs. 8,500/- per month. 3.2 Feeling aggrieved and dissatisfied with the impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court, the original claimants have preferred the present appeal praying to enhance the amount of compensation under the head loss of dependency considering the income of the deceased at Rs.15,000/- per month. 4. Having heard learned counsel for the respective parties and in the facts and circumstances of the case and considering the material on record and considering the fact that the deceased were havi ng driving license and were working as drivers, the claimants shall b e entitled to the loss of dependency considering the income of the deceased at least as Rs.10,000/- per month. Thereafter adding 40% tow ards future prospects and rise in income and applying the relevant multi plier the claimants shall be entitled to the enhanced amount of compensation. 4.1 In the case of Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022 considering the actual income of the deceased as Rs.10,000/- per month and adding 40% towards the future prospects and thereafter deducting 1/3 rd towards the personal expenses of the deceased and applying the multiplier of 15 the claimants shall be entitled to Rs.16,18,120/- ( instead of SMT. KALA VATI & ORS. v. MIRZA KAISAR BAIG & ANR. [M. R. SHAH, J. ] Rs. as awarded by the learned Tribunal) towards the compensation under the head loss of dependency. 4.2 Now so far as the Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022 is concerned, considering the actual income of the deceased as Rs.10,000/- per month and adding 40% towards the future prospects and thereafter deducting 1/3 rd towards the personal expenses of the deceased and applyi ng the multiplier of 13 the claimants shall be entitled to Rs.14,56,104/- towards the loss of compensation under the head loss of dependency. To the aforesaid extent, the impugned judgment and orders passed by the High Court are required to be modified. 5. In view of the above and for the reason stated above, both the appeals succeed in part. The impugned judgment and order pass ed by the High Court in MFA No.200507 of 2018 is hereby modified and it is held that the original claimants shall be entitled to a total sum of Rs.18,50,120/- towards the compensation with 6% interest (in place of Rs.15,98,120/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal). Civil Appeal No.6676 of 2022 is partly allowed to the aforesaid extent. 5.1 The impugned judgment and order passed by the High Court in MFA No.200509 of 2018 is hereby modified and it is held that t he original claimants shall be entitled to a total sum of Rs.15,76,104/- towards the compensation with 6% interest (in place of Rs.12,25,104/- as awarded by the learned Tribunal). Civil Appeal No.6677 of 2022 is hereby partly allowed to the aforesaid extent. The respondents/insurance company to deposit the ba lance enhanced amount of compensation with the learned Tribunal withi n a period of eight weeks from today failing which it shall carry an interest @ 7.5 % all throughout. Both these appeals are partly allowed to the aforesaid extent. In the facts and circumstances of the case, there shall be n o order as to costs. Divya Pandey Appeals partly allowed. (Assisted by : Deepak Panwar, LCRA)