1. In connection with the vehicular accident that took place on 23.10.2005 involving the Jeep bearing registration GJ-1-AR-448 and ST Bus bearing registration No.GJ-18-V-7454 and in which Mukeshbhai Jalmabhai Khokhariya expired, the legal heirs of deceased preferred claim petition being M.A.C.P. No.581/2005 u/s.163-A of the Motor Vehicles Act before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Aux.), Palanpur. The said claim petition was allowed in part, by judgment and award dated 06.02.2009, whereby, the original claimants were awarded total compensation of Rs.3,44,500/- along with interest at the rate of 9% per annum from the date of application till its realization with proportionate costs.
2. It has been mainly contended on behalf of the appellant-Insurance Company that though specific contention was raised before the Tribunal regarding liability of the appellant-Insurance Company, the same was 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, 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 matter. 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 petition is 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 petition within a period of Two Years from the date of receipt of writ of this order. The appeal stands disposed of accordingly. No order as to costs.
[K.
S. JHAVERI, J.] Pravin/* Top