1. By way of this appeal, the appellants have challenged the judgment and award dated 30.11.1999 passed in MASCP No.493 of 1994, whereby the Tribunal has dismissed the claim petition preferred by the appellants.
2. The brief facts of the case are that on 24.03.1994, when one Bhagabhai Karshanbhai Patel was returning from his field Kuvawala Farm at that time at around 7:30 p.m. when he was walking on the left side of National Highway No.8 near Hajipur Bus Stop, respondent No.1 came from backside on his scooter bearing Registration No.GJ-9-3060 and dashed with the deceased-Bhagabhai and thereby, the deceased-Bhagabhai received serious injuries. As a result thereof, the deceased received severe bodily injuries and expired. Therefore, his heirs and legal representatives of the deceased preferred the aforesaid claim petition, wherein the Tribunal passed the impugned judgment and award. Hence, the present appeal.
3. The learned counsel for the appellants has submitted that the Tribunal erred in passing the impugned judgment and award. The Tribunal failed to appreciate the material on record in its true perspective. Therefore, he has prayed to allow the present appeal. In support of his contention, he relied upon the decision of the Apex Court in the case of Ravi Vs. Badrinarayan and others reported in 2011 (2) GLR 1216 = SC 2011 AIR SCW 1530, in the case of Ranchhodbhai Somabhai and another Vs. Babubhai Bhailalbhai and others reported in AIR 1982 Gujarat 308(1), in the case of Popatlal Parshottamdas Shah Vs. Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation, Ahmedabad reported in 1982(1) GLR 765. More particularly, Head Note-E of the said judgment which reads as under:
“(E)TORTS – Evidence Act, 1872 – Secs. 3, 45, 60 and 101 – 'Proved' – Direct and substantive evidence – Burden of proof – Claimant has to prove defendant's negligence for claiming damages – Such evidence must be tested by yardstick of probability – If evidence is otherwise reasonable and probable it should not be discarded – Preponderance of probability must be taken into consideration – It may not be possible to lead medical evidence in all cases – If evidence is otherwise trustworthy having regard to nature and consequences of injury discarding of evidence on the ground of non-examination of expert would result in miscarriage of justice – Distinction between 'burden of proof' and onus of proof' – Shifting of onus of proof is a continuous process in evaluation of evidence – If claimant proves injury and loss and connects them with accident either by direct or circumstantial evidence, he must be held to have proved his claim.”
4. On the other hand, learned counsel for the respondents have opposed the appeal and have prayed to dismiss the same, as being without merit.
5. It appears from the record that the accident in question took place on 24.03.1994, pursuant thereto, the deceased-Bhagabhai was admitted at the hospital in Himmatnagar and he remained admitted as an indoor patient for the period from 24.03.1994 to 31.03.1994, it appears from the record that no complaint was filed during the aforesaid period, inter-alia, alleging that about the vehicular accident in question. A defence is sought to be raised during the aforesaid period since one of the relatives of the deceased had expired, a complaint in respect of the above accident could not be filed. However, the said defence does not appear to be true inasmuch as the deceased was having about 8 days at his disposal to file the complaint. However, the same was not filed at the relevant time, thereafter, the deceased was shifted to Rajasthan Hospital in Ahmedabad during that time, no complaint was filed. The complaint in connection with the aforesaid accident came to be filed after a period of 39 days. The evidence on record does not show that the deceased expired on account of the injuries sustained in the alleged vehicular accident, in fact, it is pertinent to note that no complaint or chargesheet was filed against the opponent herein in respect of the alleged vehicular accident. Considering the facts of the case and the petition on record, I am of the opinion that the Tribunal has rightly dismissed the claim petition since the evidence on record does not show that the deceased expired on account of the injuries sustained in the alleged vehicular accident.
6. In view of the above, I am in complete agreement with the reasonings given by and the conclusion arrived at by the Tribunal, and hence, I find no reason to entertain the present appeal.
7. In the result, the appeal fails and is DISMISSED, accordingly. No order as to costs.
(K.S. JHAVERI,J.) koshti/