THE HONOURABLE Dr. JUSTICE S.VIMALA
C.M.A.No.SR37562 of 2005 and C.M.P.No.15087 of 2005 Metropolitan Transport Corporation Ltd., Rep. by its Managing Director, Pallavan House, Anna Salai, Chennai. ... Appellant versus Minor S.Prasad Rep. by his father Sekar ... Respondent
Prayer : This Appeal filed under Section 173 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, against the Judgment and Decree dated 19.01.2004 made in M.C.O.P.No.472 of 2002 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Additional District Court, Fast Track Court No.4, Poonamallee.
For Appellant : Mr.S.Sivakumar for Mr.Rajnish Pathiyil For Respondent : No appearance
JUDGMENT
The Transport Corporation has filed this Civil Miscellaneous Appeal, challenging the Judgment and Decree dated 19.01.2004 made in M.C.O.P.No.472 of 2002 on the file of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Additional District Court, Fast Track Court No.4, Poonamallee, which is pending in SR stage from the year 2005 onwards, i.e. exactly from 26.07.2005.
2. Despite pendency of appeal in SR stage for more than 12 years, no steps have been taken to get it numbered.
3. Since this appeal is pending for more than 12 years at the SR stage, it is taken up for disposal at the SR stage itself.
4. In respect of the injuries due to the accident, that had taken place on 04.09.2002, the injured petitioner made a claim of Rs.1,03,000/-. As against the claim made, the Tribunal has awarded a sum of Rs.48,000/- as compensation.
5. The compensation awarded by the Tribunal is only a sum of Rs.48,000/-, which may appear to be excessive for the year 2004, but not as of now, that is in the year 2017. The compensation awarded is hardly adequate in the face of spiraling inflation and surge in cost of living. Inflation is naturally compounding, and a relentless destroyer of the value of money. The same is supported by the decision of the Hon'ble Supreme Court in the case of Rathi Menon v. Union of India 2001 (2) KLT 12 : (2001 AIR SCW 1074), wherein it has been held that when injuries occurred due to accidental falling of a person, considering the value of money etc., compensation shall be payable on the basis of rules prevailing at the time of making the final order for payment of compensation and not on the money value which prevailed on the date of accident.
6. In view of the same, the amount awarded by the Tribunal cannot be said to be excessive. Therefore, the Civil Miscellaneous Appeal is dismissed, confirming the award passed by the Tribunal. No costs. Consequently, C.M.P.No.15087 of 2005 is closed.
04.01.2017
TK/ogy To 1. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Additional District Court, Fast Track Court No.4, Poonamallee.
Dr.S.VIMALA, J.
TK/ogy C.M.A.No.SR37562 of 2005 and C.M.P.No.15087 of 2005 04.01.2017