1. In connection with the vehicular accident that took place on 07.12.2003 in which Ishwarbhai Vasharambhai Thakor and Karshanbhai Sundabhai Thakor expired, the legal heirs of deceased preferred claim petition being M.A.C.P. No.513/2003 and 514 of 2003 u/s.163-A of the Motor Vehicles Act before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Patan. The said claim petition was allowed in part by judgment and award dated 29.09.2010. Being aggrieved by the same, the appellant-Insurance Company has preferred the present appeal.
2. It has been mainly contended on behalf of the appellant-Insurance Company that though specific contention regarding liability, negligence and other submissions were raised before the Tribunal, the same were not appreciated in its proper perspective. Reliance has been placed on the decision of the Apex Court in the case of National Insurance Co. v. Sinitha and others, (2012) 2 SCC 356 [2011 (13) SCALE 84] and it has been prayed that the matter be remanded to the Tribunal concerned.
3. Considering the facts of the case and in view of the principle rendered in Sinitha's case (supra), it would be appropriate that the Tribunal re-considers the matters. Consequently, the impugned judgment and award is quashed and set aside and the matter is remanded to the Tribunal concerned for consideration afresh in light of the decision rendered in Sinitha's case (supra). Both the sides shall be at liberty to adduce evidence, which shall be duly considered by the Tribunal in view of the decision referred to herein above. Until the claim petitions are decided, the Tribunal concerned shall invest the entire amount lying with it in FDR and interest accruing thereon shall be permitted to be accumulated. The entire amount with interest shall be disbursed in favour of the party, who finally succeeds in the claim petition, after giving necessary set-off against any payments that may have been made earlier. The Tribunal concerned shall decide the claim petitions within a period of Two Years from the date of receipt of writ of this order. The appeals stand disposed of accordingly. No order as to costs.
[K. S. JHAVERI, J.] pawan