IN THE HEGH CQEERT or' KARNATAKA AT Bag-i<3 ;:<g "~ DATED THEE "rm 2061 mm' at; 3:335 253% A' % T 1 L PR~E5EE'? . J . , THE HGNBLE MRS 1:331:93 : , , mg H$:~2'BL MR JI,?Sf;fICEVAi~i;';'\ ';*:"xS{;.VA %R;fz'.~aNA M1scELLA:~:E0 s Em ST'}Pi3iA%;f.%2 ;2Q%? {my} M1scELLA:gQM:s ';~:5;0 {adv} IN MIsCELLANE@'G4%F:i:s*:fL :$;%e.i92;%i37{MV'> BETWEEN: 3. Sm: W50 Late S;et.Mazksoed Altiln, " ' Aged 26 'yam, {3 c;i=I0;13efh<>} d. = 2,- "E<C1maf"3< 3i35.i Bn, Z s " ~ Ds'1< r Lzgi Syd' Ma}; good Alzmw, 3gdV.?" .r2.zf;t=s,' {)<: .$t1:I3ent iior) ' ' Syed. V' SE0 Late"<S*ea;i'E'viaks0od zum, ' gagad 6 yams, '{)cc:Stueni (Minor) 5 4 i~i'2%r}ra Bzmu, 3:},/0 I;a'i'z: fSy3d Maksood Aium, ' . E%;ged years, -. V T Appeaats 2 to 4 are mnt3rs and they I j ' Asfe under guardianship efriausrai mether "gppeziam Nix}. 5. Sm: Eahara B32313, 'fe Lam Syed Abdul. Khadar @ Khzder Shyamia, aged 6} years, ()cc:Z'~Zii. A3} are rfo Kha} om, near Basavaxma Circle, Gangavathi, Dist.K0ppal (By Sri chaaxashekar B.Pa,til and Sri 8as +;~a: :f?a'; R Mam gm ) AND: 1. The Divisisnalvianagar, ' The New IndiaAssuranCe.C0.fLtd., ' Division Office, New Ediaga 1-B"iii1ci;:g, " Opp:KSRTC B12s"Stgn1g*.B':iar3z,~ A. Tippanna B.Meii, ' 'V , SE0 Bmunna.M.= i,. ' 7 Qwner 0f Leiy }~a.GA62%g#1% 3 9'3, Rig Hausa }~}'s:r.3f)3 Z11afi.?'~agaIz:, Sancoaie 'E03. RE-S?}E*=~E"D,1'*'1"'S Sri '\i:KfiShfL%'aInf,V fer R4) R '2 ;1oiCs udfis;Jtise*<i t%;'t};= ~ x: M1SC .'*-.L$i%3'i:j} {,?3=hFiRST APPEAL N<3.96ifi36 {MY} }E.*'wEE:-3': N A' ' T323: Dvgienai Manager, 'i"~Eai?jvsi india Assurance Co.I ,td,., }ivisana10Eca, New Arya Ediga Building, Q; 1p: KSRTC 315 Stand, Beliaxga " "Now represented by its . Regieaai Manager, p,?'i>*:;:,}m~z:1;rS% w Endia Asgurance C<3.Ltd., Regionai Office, Liizitgz Building Azmexm Paiinga Rae Read, Banga1ors56O G27. 3 " ., (33; Sri A,N.Krishnaswamy, Av) AND: 1. Sm? Shabzxa Begum, X3350 Lam 3/Ioha2n;neC1 '&'un1:s * New aged abaut 27 years, V C)cc H0useh<>ld work. 2. Kum.Az1ju, . AA V 3050 Late Mohanmgd "72;ir1.as? 1' V Nsw age abosui 'S 3}{e,~;1~*g; 3. Navaz, " H S50 Late Mvshanmzed Y:l';E?f i1L!.S,b Now aged abQuE~6 yezufs; V. Respondgnts 2 "3 nliizof : VRepresr I3tedL'by their izatggral guardian M:}t%11* the 115: r:.3pc:11e:1i " 4. :f133fVVl%I?1iV's I V ',. Wm. R/io%1i Ka hi1r3sab, New aged abeu' 455 years, tie Kaji ACni$ Near Basavaxma Circle, ' ;'3r':Tz1'iga.: t.}2i. : f,'~ Ti;'{&'1;'}I} B.Meti, 3;? Bhimma Meti, " -Ri;'0'H9use E'~3er.333, Zziaxi Nzzgar, ' ~ . ,V L I axiameaig, Goa. RE1SP01)EE\?FS / 4 {By Sri C-handrashekar B.Pai1 an Sn' Basavaraj R Math, Adv for R3 3;: 4!') R2 8: 3 rrxinars R-5 Served Miscelianeotzs First Appeal N;>.492;'(}7 is fed :3;-="s l73(i):3'f MY Act against the jugemezzt and award dated.1(},'?,06 ga,s;sed %n*- N0.8lf'O5 on the ia of the Civil Judge (SLDQ), MACT dismissing 'size ciaim petition for cmnpensation. Misceikaneous Fina Appeal Nc.96}6fG6 is led :.z;'s'v'} '?3v{i'}-.0i' Act agairyst. the judgement and award da,ti1'i3"7f 0+ p;a:;se7c n E\.>i'V(;*'. N0.8G;'S 02;. the ie cf the Civi} Eudge (Sr.D:1'}, E.&ACT~,. 5Gag2ia2%,' 035- with neriest 9% p.a"=.f:"r:;.mV awarding a compensatien of Rs.9,00,() the ate sf petition iii}. deposit. T Tizese Misceaneous First AppeaisL e~.11i:1g ez1 f<;f ihig I day, MA zx:,m A CHELLUR gigliwxfd me; fgizzmingz " A U':f G i T the legal representaiives of pian rider 0f.aVn1{}t{i'i?}{:(.35j 2*'&ni7' S}?ed Makseod Alum, who ciiezi in 3. 'V V' neiefi;icitiat:;'%~ggertaiiigi MVC 3\0.83fG5. " is flied by the insurer 0f the 1923*?' e:gz;esiming, "ihe Eguantum ef cempensatiozz awarded 'ta the epegdams H " ': LE3 'cf-{e rier cf meiorcycie by name E-ia,'E'uzz:;s. They 3:33,;-*9 kip the cerzieatisn ihai the driver 0;? {E16 E0213' 3G'36 was get VT "*esp>nsb1e fer the accient hut fiha rer of the m0'0rz:yz:3e :33 weT " cezaiributed eglgegzc for the mzczzrrencs ofiiae accident ,:%z*nn;g2z'}f:3; V. 3. The facts that Ied is fizig 0f these twe appeais, 22 brief, are as under: 013 i.l0.2GO4, berth the rider and piiiiori Yunus and Syed Maksead Akil were proeeedig pm an 3. metorcyssie bearing Ne.K;i':-3 7;'E}:?22:?.<: "a:*: {Q Koppai Accorixzg is {he claimgmg, a 'seari;:ag'3\:3 ; 5103 was proceeding ahea of the n1ii:3r;':%2c/giatieg ii tzai {E16 rider cf the metercycle $0ug1':tzff0: 5,-' V:g3}*.i,}3~ .9j2zTA*;i*i2t%;s:e {e iorry am the lerry drive: indicatedtca the Az1?.c3<)1f<:*3,z; ;.?.iAS$3L t<;? ; I'sV'c": *,r i" miher, Em, {he terry' right sie an appiezd the brrakes abf.1p:l;*. the metorcyciist had to same in centaciwith i*2a"i{:xfry,V.1':;'"':e1A*-:b3Vk,"'"bath rier and piign ride; feli daawn V' 3*.-:sAia:i',%i:;i.,;":'1gifz;iai'*.izf:}urieS; Thy succumbed t0 the injuries an the smile 4%uth: j.Eega} representatives of {e rier 3136; the pin ridef. 33,33 to $6 zegistered against the river of the lorry far ' ~ per;a.i aciiu far an effence ufs 304%. IFC. Accring to me ciaimaats of tip: motarcyitie fidf Mr Yunas, hat: was working in a roadside bag' and his saiazjr was ; /I Rs.6,l5i'~ pm and on amount ef the untitneiy cieath ef the decease, they are thmwn to the streets, therefare, 3163" sought fa? Rs.1G ,35,{}0G;'- as compensaon. Awarding is $16 claiman%; :~:%3e piiiieri rider of the motorazycie, they conisnd that . working as a basking magiager in 3 tlieatrgat Ga; g3 ia' an{i'=}3 W223 earning & saiayy caf Rs.4,95G.f- per sustained immense E033 and miser' 0'r;. Vacc<3u:1t cf th<.13:11fm1aE:; death 2 L' of Syeci Maksoed Alum and they as Cnlpaii. V A H a 5. Befare 1'vvI01i>:+'2%;<:cienis Ciamsffiribunai. {E223 Garner and the digger -pmcd ezesgparfe am'! fsjrtiinataiy {haz- ifiiifaiii' of '#1'? '6}L'Ef$I}fL{'i am hejsz cazzataste vV.'E1e:21a ii9. V 5? $0 $26 insurer, {lie zicciani was s:3e3;' ne is *2i.iA driving 9f the motorcycst am} iherefore, VV qizesiin 3f'*g any conipensation 'by the insurer ef Eha iowy vmui ht ari $. .'}'"*3&; xrther cmziend thai the driver ef the ierry wag igent gaxiiiaxftii in driving his 5033; therafarea in :36 3523:; he azaniirihzzte hegiigence far the ecczzrrence cf the accideni in question. fhey have aiso calie t3f}Qt'} tim ctaimaszts ts prcsve the czmtentens rgardng the age, aecupation and eamig ef the respective deceased per?. {3t . "f2":g1aft frcsrn the occurrence ofthe accident etc. 7. On behatf of the clairnantiitt aztgt j;*Q:fn': wives, 6:26 Chaxzdrashekarialt t0 the 'an witness was examined t0 explain how the acciLi1' 1:~zs; 0cctiIz*e(VVi.t ' ':EXc pt cross- examinirzg these witnesses,' .ins1'. tz*e; . I)t"exan1ine the driver of the lorry, an important witn;:.%svsV:'%*vf11<:'V. ;cc.Iic"'hai%t? jvvzaiiipiaizaed haw the accident occt:1Ted;"Hifvcver;t}2e?riiav"e:i3h1i11<3ci one Officer om the insurance cem;:}.?;j2, ., 8. Frpitth : of1t.f ti };zs;"reised in the Written statement af the insurer; 31632 do get Aideny the insurance coverage so far as the terry in 'date Accident. With these pieadings, the Tribuzzz I vi;$r<t5et'e ;:1V:d'vt1;ie foliowing V issues: petitioners prove that respondent No.1 being {tare-.
'river af lorry bearing No.GA-OZEU-5103 drove the saxne V' in rash and negligent manner and caused the aceident '.7 t 7&2) Wttether respenent "$49.3 pI'C3VeS that the accident was t caused duc to tha negligence of driver efmotor <:ycie 1'
3) Whether respandeni No.3 mhar preves that there; is a contributory negligence on the part of bath the ci2'iveiS" '?T
4) Whether petitioners are entitle for c0mpensa.i0 if wha: amount 21:16 from Wham 'E'
5) What orer ?' .
9., The first three issues pe1ft:~1 in to tha 'q:1esti0n.% f iegiighzize ie. whether the accident was due to neg}igrit viirigzg cf the drivar efthe lorry in qzxestioxijam wvhhgif th i:-cieni oufrad due {<2 the rash and neggant drivi:gH;:f 'T't1 ~: xitirc-=cfe ne rier er in the aitemative, whetheg' tiiggr wait any 's:%:a:nfri1 t.:)r,:.1%3giiget3ce on the part ofihe m0:f'%:'1isjv%1hoIvriiiwdi accitiit, 19;" 31,313' fhse three issues psrtaitzing '0 negligence. the aiaried jzadge has taken intc censideraiian the ' ' :;:s!i":"c-ia at gfgfaph 8 of the jadgenient, it: about mine 1:1;:<e, heV {'c.> 711r;s' <1f~? h: ccmciusio that ':3S}fl8$}t $3.}, the driver sf {he i3j.~qu=;tier: aiasie was entirely respesibie for causing Ehe ' *. i:';:<:;den'. coming to the quantum GfCGI11}'Z?f1S&'ii0I}, 3&3 fag' as rider A {\>'f. i1;e iatikrcycie in questiczx, he takes %3is ime as Ragf- 'V ge}f;:2ee: as $33' E33? 33% caicaiaieg the iass sf epeaanszy aim"
deucting 153" towarcis {Em persozaai expenses 0f the ciecease at Rs'7568.0Gf=~. Ta this, he adds Rs:.S7,0}2'~ tcswards loss of :f'.'. ifVid aectien an: Rs;,2,0}(}f~ each under the heads af 1333 cf iranspsrfatisn and xnerai expenses, E335 sf ceiiseiiam .,}1:4'~3'=s~'.ar$ "
in 3%} Rs.:,G,8f}G- as compensatien 2$0 avagfiis :'a5eA %i"ir: ':2gt A 9% pa apart ain casts on ihis Rs.9 {}{; ;GQGf- ' E}. Thizzz camiag 1:23 the quanifmv :10? .;j;<321'ap:2'1;a.s.-;":i.@: eamiag $0 $326 piien rider, ha refrsfo zzgzsv" India Assumtzzse Conzgjany ms. vs. R. ;4 and gm} va;:i3t}iezi,"':fej;r:ft* i'. 315.2005 (1.) KCCR 290 and <:1cme $ ~ .):3}sif:vv.:}*1athoixgh 'i';e rider cf motareicie was 30$ respmi1sii }e ii}? the 2:.c'ient, piiiion ridezr cm. a motorcycie is V :13: eniii for sempragatio because he was 3 piliisn rdez. Base an jvdiamissed the ciaitn petitien of the LRS Gf piiiiorz ries' gr .Sf;'%3fd.5:'vi;?:i$<Ts:}<iV.:5:"i:*L1Ii'1. 12; . xga@iea:e& *5}; (ms judgment of the EsiACT bath ze LR3 *hr;, r5t'" an {E26 (}1 risr zm 236 iiiguzar qisesiionng zz':
z:?axii% '; af camyensaten awazed {:3 LES ofihe rider. are befsre as as ~ :/31:35 aheyve'
13. We have heard the argumentg ef bath the Cozmseis at Eangth and we have penis-e the erigina recerds pertaizzigzg t=3atV;E2: i:;@ meter vaizicie ciaimss 14" Se far as the ()C{3Ei'I'3fEC$ of tI?; accid:z:i'*e j*E;}';{}4V '?.3} pm near a bus step :33} Kappa} R.aa{if:.betx%:Ac>{ 1% "E%;:xgg': an 63 is not in dispute. Env'0lveri1 f;t 0fihe fi;z0trcfi;:;a1z'3aE$i) * the 1933? are not in dispuie. The bon:u'aa;1te:zti3 . nwhther Eayrry driver was aione resp0nsbie .fa= th{: as-g 11i"th motorcyclist was aione respsnsible fozfgthe ac i d.af1tV.o{-.baih":ef'*.feponsbie for the aceidem $21 quegtieia'? 7f "
15} S0: far' . f1'al"'*3?1a=:i1ce of the Wiinesses bafora the Tribuzzai neithef"eftheVwivs vsas the eye witness is the occxzrrence of i':r:a:":iie3t;A W3' have' the evience of a third party, Whe was 'zqaiizid Tribiinal as an eye wiiness $0 the acciam in qutzgiieggi. F3'.-e3mj parusai offhe poiice retards pertaining ta} i;'i'iE'I}fi3 . iegiktagiizd agaizzst the ciziver of ihe Earrjyi, we notice that FW~3 f'.
V' jbhaazdrshekaraah was cite as a witness is; the cizarga sheet. Leatzcsd AdV%cae far $136 insurer vehemezlgi argues: that based Of: the reazxds E} pasted before {he C0113"? especially the LVEV {apart and the the Spot mahazai', the accident has net occurre iii'-.ti1:'{ * described 2}; PW-3 before: the Court He al,imatIfy' u u even if the contesnts ef the spot mahazar feprt. ngzsyf . mm, the -very statement of PW43 V.h.V ey"vsfiiaes-,m:. tew~z:icss- " V examination that he was on th ie plac f 3%<:idnt wozd indicate that it was Emp0siE;i- f% 1* %.i" 1g3ss the aeciderzt especiay at 739 gm: .$%p%C.?;.;tfV'V;c'vidence that there was ensugh Eight }E"~r vtizs at what angle he was standiVng.wi}1z in V-iixestion is also 1"E3l6'%'aI'ii
16." gkccgrding "s.%xe Counsei for the daimanis, ii': the absence, eftige d&*2r *t:vei'i2g xazined before the Court, question 9%' 32 warr' nez%L";i1i{i,g1g fault with the evirience an reeorci caes mi arise becse 1:v :t'i'zr:V 'gi?a:1.:~*circ rnsta:}ces, the best wiirmsg ta speak {<3 the ' aatua1"~Qa1,as'0'f. xafidegt was the driver ofthe iorry. " ~ 1 "?.H'Leamed Cousek for the appallant takes us through iitte ef the Apex Court, repcrted in AIR 2605 SUPREME A '=C:("}'EJRT 2337 (NATIQNAL f25'SURA3CE CQWANY <3.L'm 'v'S.?REMABAI PATEL AN}? OTHERS) in support caf his eanferztisn that primariiy the injared or the dependants of the ciacea.f%.1vV:c: establish that an the part 0f the vic'iim there was no neg:er:; e,: H "
abmze case, the Apex Court whiie cQr'n2iiing the , p1Af()\.siQi3; ' elf"; Secl'? & I49 regarding izisurance considered under Workman Campesation or Eieter V Vehiies Act, proceeded to dissguss "VVIV'ii1)'L1;2a'<')i*'th<=?.'Vv:~C?<>ur': has to assess the evidence on record iojiiold 01* the victim responsibie for th zfacient Abagef{'on.I*i$.j 1afia1 piacted before the Ceuri, Whiie :iscu'$ig the 4'Sii'd'V'iss?te,'A'1eif Lerdships precees is hoid the \}'e3*s' 3asis '($:'fo:i1idti<)ii"-911 which 3, ciaiin fer comperzsaiion to the Viciizzzizf {I33 ciaet' . egiigen*i and the same has :0 %e , 5:; prepsr;Qe af eviiience that there was no negiigece ' 0n pa1'V;0ftl'r1 i;j1;red or the deceased. At paragmph 6, it is heid as unc:}e*:;"*V . '*6, A person who has sustained injzzry er where death has resuited em an accitient 3.1}. or my cf the iegai yepyeseniatives of the desseased can ciaim cempensaiiun by movxg an appcatien tinder Section 166 sf {ha Act by filing a eiaim patitian bcfsre the Mote! .-acciaienfi Claims Tribunal, Sectien 3 of the 'vV0ricme:1's Compensatisn Act Eays zywn ihat if persenai injury is caused to a workman V acci:de11t arising out cf and in the ccurse of his " " ff: % employment, his employer shail be Eiabie: t<>7"pVa;,-="
compensatien in accordarxce wigiz the pr<>'i1's'Cz2* r;
ef Chapter II ofthe said Act. ;Secti{3;: 67 <)f1< Evie-tor Vehicles Act, l988'~ 1ay jsf'T:.iov.?1:. that notwithstanding anything coxzijtaiixeci rz f1;tAIe' " . Wz:ark1nn's Compensai'i701': Act, 1923 where: t death sf, or hodily injmja:-5;.any pF$0fi gives, rise to 21 claim fer compe'1{; Sato12v.';:ndeI' i:I2e A<:1;5 and 2.150 tinder \'s:'or:'mer13< .%,i-,. Atha perzyfz erztied to csmpensittieiz may va:'it3{;':3utT prejudice to the provisions (sf Chapter Sllfi compensation u11{J" r 'cti':er'0f"f.1<:se1 Agits but not u:1{er:b<;'ih ? The :*. ai:j:a ptitio' hfad, efan ed kg respqtixieni 3' 1:9 r:;?Ea.ir;3i z:1gj compemation for thei" de;:i%3.V ' {$i" . S1i:2'f;i r" =1'-.3:s1g%'=.4, "who was an empiayc ;':;spodc1i'i in an accident ariVsii7.g='. 0utfc'>f 53 ii} .t3i%e course cf his em;s.o}'m~.:; , *'I'2' zje':f0.re,' they could ciaim 'i:G:22.;:en3.a$iez1j~ x":<i:?:;f"k32er :23?' ii Act. But they esiiese the" fomm p ;=m2ided under the Meta:
Vehi'c 3:91. Ex?' a petition 12336:' the E'<;ri:1rii'e1'13s&5%.c, the injurc or the iegal heirs ef i ."se"V x:acease14W'ri<1":1en have get to establish m2.g1ige;3ce as 3 pre-condition for award ef " a ;n1;)":I1$i.'$i0n. But {36 arsiaim pe:titon before the 'Es;%3 :I}r';%TiTc5cident Claims Tribunal is an actien in ia {ha injured 01"' this Ere-gai regresaantatives "tke deceased iaave to estabiish by " .,feponderanee sf evience that aere was no nsgiigence an the part of the injurcd car decease 311$ they were not responsibie fer the accident. The exsepilion is this gemzrai ruie in Secon ii af aha Act Whf gs Ixgisiaure has gpecifiaaiiy made previsians far' payment sf eompensaien an the priizcpie <35 r o~fa:;E?E Eiabiiiiy."
18. He also refers In a decision repertted in 2933(8) SC- 133% in {he case csf MUNCIPAE, (ZORPORATIQN SF GREATER BOMBAE' VSSRI LAXMA.?'~ {YER AEED ANOTHER. whereitheir Lordships have in cietaii tieait with the aspects sf 3 . azegligence arid SO 3230 {E16 'sctiine of lag: i }G'ifli'f};" T. :H'i{:i'f'F3 E b paragaphs at 6 8; 7 are narraied as urzergii . T'i p}eaV wiiich siL.3;r< ss strenuously g"-eiiaetif' to" 3I':ged. esymtzibutary 3/3a}3i;~;:>,:*ii:e. th:3i*'e~:."%s. .Tii statutsry .dertib n.5 in :<:;z ;1en. p3;*1ance 'negligence' iis .-3a g{3:riseiC." .e;ith<'~:r cemposite 0:
c'o;2'i ri'bii;tz:;ry. , l'tV iS'fi1*s nea;.L:,ssm'y to find out "s;?':fii.{. if 'a 1*1:.gEige13t ici. Negiigence is 'or:;iSVsim"~:f ' cause either by an .0n1iss3;j L'~. {0' . '(is something which a reaso:iz1 bIa-. * guid upon those cnsifzratiajns, 'who crrdinariiy by reasozx sf cozizzct of human aiairs would do or be '"-f;ligi'6:(?f'f6,' or by oing somethirzg whiz}: 3 . .)'t~.ie11t 02' mast:-nable man would net (10, 'v?iEegI 1"gence does not always mean abseiuia V ' ' " v a:i8essness, but want of such a degree Qf "zzare as is require ii} paicuiar "irc .imsta,nces. Negligence is faiiure ta oserve, for ae pmiectien ofthe interests of anatixer person, the degee sf safe, precautioa and vigiiance Ea-ziaix {e citcumszances justify demarzg wizereby szgch ofher parser: suffars injary. The idea <3?
gegligencc and duty are saictiy cmtrelaiiveh Negligence means either subjectiveiy a careiess state cf mind, or cbjeciivcy i careiess cenduct. Negligerzee is net an absolute term, but is a reiatisve one; it is rather 3. comgyarative tezm. N0 absolute f , standard can be fixed and no mathematicar . T' exact ferrnula can be laid owrz by wfzkzhv rzegiigezaee er lack of it can be infailibiy * V' measure in 3 given casa.-:WI3aI'coi'1stiute';3'< negiigence varies under differgmt 0 ;1iiiQ'11s ' arid in defenitng whiheif. hegligeilaxz , " "
axists in a particuiarmgse or whether a, act or ceuzse emf ' .f: v{iidtii "a:n0e,:r;t, ii; negiigence, 33} he taker: inte 3;ze:ou:{. fs"a'i3sei3z:e 0f care accorciing to air:1mstai es. 'f ;}a:ermine whether an a;:1: w <3uiaT .be ojr w<51'31;% 'hot be negligant it ;s reiefvant idatrxihe if any' r;a s0n;bi man "';yot;}d4 Vfors-$e ihai the act i%'e3I d cuszc damage or not. The omissien ta : do.W}1ai-the .1ziW oi3ligates or even the failure to dz": a}'thi ng-~i;i"a.r1anner, mode <31' method .z:visaVg'adVby"!a\}5 would equally and per se- $i;r1 $ti'z: ricglifgexzase an the part sf such p'I"'S(}. 'Ifthe: answer is in the afnnatixre, it . "is 3 negligiit act. Where an accident is due i5"~:;:gigence of but}: parties, szzbstantiaiigz T. V ~t3:* je"}.&roz:Id be cznitributtisry negligence and 'V ' bQ";E1" weuid he biamed.
j In a cage (pf "<; g)3t;*ib1;tery1zegi.%gence {ha crucial quesiion . "gig which Eiability epexzds wozaid be whether eiiiiei party maid, by exercise sf reasmaae care? have avoided the censequence: of the :ther's negligence. Whichever gaziy' cazzii have avoided, the censequence ofthe othes negiigence, negligence Wouid be abie far the accident If a person"s negligem act or smissicn was the proximaie an immedate cause of death, the fact thai the person th*~ ' ' attending T ' 321%} surrounding fagts a'nd.V'<:irm 1:r1s1a1 1ces haim ta"
l suffering njtiry was himself riegligent and also contributed to the accident. 9: other circumstanses y which the injxry was Caused wozsid not afford a defence to the other. Centributory negligence is applicable seiely to the conduct of a plaintiff. It meansm f V that there has been an act er onaissiars an Ihsi'-4' ' l- VV' part of the plaintiff which has 1nae;i'-. ll'y"u Q":
contributed ta the damage, the ac*'~,0r omissien being sf such 3. nature lm" iflrnziy properij; be describev as l' eg lig1e21c;,".VVv. l although negligence is t: g. :e2i t~.uu a A ll meaning (See C1ari:sW01'th Q21' V.Neg1ig:t,:ce; ' I 3" End, para 328).t S~.:1<1:w we: settled in the case cf coi1'xf ibLI.t0ry' 'r:a gIg:nce',;:
courts have: the p0wsr }v.apperti0:z il3a. l9ss' etween ti1 "parti3s gaexixs. just an equitable. 2-'ij.7p7i'l:i:3? I3IT:i'iE?;i}t "iii 2:133: cene>;t flanfiage .:$l}d1:ced to such an . 'e>e:tBI1"i':'.':":$: th e 'cgu thinks just and equitable 4-having'Vegar3 Atcl the claim shared in the , r:5;:=e1iaibi;%tj;' fill' the damage. But in a case ixilgre theft: has been no contributory negigegce an the part of the victim, the "V-question f apportionment does not arise, ~.}'l1er a person is izljure without am'
-.:iegIif.;ez2ce on his part but as a resuli of the l'-.;:c>r11'r>&ned effect ef the negligence sf twcr lllrgier persens, if is not 3 ease of cozztributmy . " izegligence in that sense. It is a. case of what has been styled by Pollock as injury by cemposite nagligence .
7?. 5%}; zis jtmwzture, it is necessary is refer 'la the 'ducgiae of fast apporiiznity'. Tha said doctrine is said :9 have emanated from the prizzcple anuncsiated in Bavies i?.Mar
which 'LIVES 0136 been expiairged as the Earry river, came in Contact with the Ion}! as 3 remit of Easing aizinare, hot}: the rider and piiiicm ridezgr fail dawn sustaining injuries. This evidence of PW-3 initiaiiy discharges the primary burd;1'T'?:%i';ipi1 es on the ciependants or the claimants of the decease %"sim%j: there was no negligence on the part of the inaatercyal the" sudden decisim': 0f the ferry river ta) f being the cause asf accident. 'I'11e2':.';:': burdsy Siteis :e"1%;<:4iz1su;erV+ aggeant '0 astabiish that it was beyofiitiuze e t<il driver is avoi ihe occurrence of 'ne: .'Ta-:ci;}enti zzs i2r) *w{ 51 momrcyclist aione was re;p<;7r:sib'e7T'{Eir vihe:7%:c;ir:i1ce of ihe accident ? Except ylacizzg :"e.-ance er: >;ze'~>r t'E30.'$'.f.i$f11:?3jfs.:i"{he :'-'3 witness PER?-3, during {he C1'}SS-i3;!I1 iI1a'ii:(iE. 3.f3,.v3i{- spat mahazar and {MY zepor, kt . xrVei"L'0':fthIAtrtici< is zztwinine Though some doubt arises xvhetiaer V?i'.5-.3. :;i:;:1;i:i;i }1a#*Ve'T~.?i.s1s3.Iseci if} detaii haw the asciaient ezzczgrred at abei:;. 7;'.38v e were to stand on the Ee side eftha mad, {he fad ' ' remains, h~2 13:s in deta disclcsed haw the accident eccurre? He was :<31nixi more that: Wm 92' three yams xubseqaent {G the aecierzt, VA ihiifef, the zizinute etaiis must have asaaped his memery which is " Vquifie zzermai 33:6 naiura, 2%
23. Then coming to the canterzis of spent rnahazar and {MY repeng we notice the hind muci-guard parting near the right V:~a :1. ; 0f the ierry was cornpieteiy damaged inciticiing the taii iaznggyf 83 also the headlight and front po:'tier1mpf the damaged. This weui enhs persuade us 2;) c: i:1:;1i'at.'th"%:i:ie3:";r1uE3e guard portion may the righi Wiaeel cf tit: Iarry' {33.I"i3i1'i'efi3 '?.Vfifh the , * fram pardon sf 1336 metarcycie. Ti2is *$13V n<:st aiiei" 'usvto c=;irzcEuie or ht that the accident was <'.%1:% is?t11e{ :r1{$i(t:if:;*f;*1i who was saieiy respunsible far the eecz;rre:3gw~3"6f a' .;ti:1ent inV ifiw of the evitience of PW-3 'Viaface fcrf maorcyast to overiaie that Eerrfsg, the f uz:"y' dfi'e;r 'c}:n"ti: hiseV~"right Sie without any iirzdicatm, f3$I"6f{}1f. }1& a'i:i:;:;i. i:z.s <5' ci3"'dk In this given s:i"Lza'i0n , we have is " V' 'see W35th%:".thr wasAaii* Aantributary tzegligeme an the pat cf ihe 'z';v1r 'i<.>;i<:}'eE.:i V$E:. regard to {e fact that the arry am the EI10it3T$;?;VCV.'$f{i: sraceeding may 3 bus stami where pubiic imziuding ' '~. i;':her veiiais were mavag 0% the mad, bets the icerry driver 8.3% $3 T f:3Q{o;%c'cst maghi to haxze exercised due diiigerice and cars aiiaasi fi"
% tigsfsafeiy' of ihamseives esgeciajg 3 m<3<3:*cy{:is'{ wag was {tying ta ver take a heavy vehicle Eiisze that 0%" 3 iorrjz eseeiaiiy in the sraght home because the moiercyeiist may not be abie 1:0 visueiise what are the arehieiee that weuid be eoming in the eppeeite direetien ahead ef the Iorzga This eempeis any prudent and nomiiai Ekzinbgzg perziegja is take minimum safety' meaeere by keeging Safe disianee K heavy geeds vehiee azzd the mctorcyeie he was riding'.-. : clearance given by {he 1e=1'z'y driver, the f1i<3t<:i'e.*<:ii:s' *~?sf:>a1:1"c:7.:3*3{ ':13:-a=:"'. ventured to overtake the truck. If Qniy sefe ciieanee .ess;'%.=A$'A'1";":2>:it:1.:i;:'1'ee<V;iV between the metereyele and the truci'< metercge1'i'ej.ane'iE1eVVei13ien rier weuld not have met ~ these feats wouid go ts sho;i?"eethe* were net earefui enotzgh t0vv"aeeidhe they ceuld have avoided if 0111:; ihey hag! adhere e Irziiiirziiazxieefety precautiens. Heweeer, under the V' eieei3n1$e1i'eeS;"'ii3e hoid the river of the iorry eeeztribizte ef '?% and the xgzoieteyeiist is an extent ef 25% the efthe accident.
' Then eoming E0 the qzzanmm ef eemeeeseiiexa eetaer Ehe . pertaining 'at: the maiereycst ner ihe eiaimejlie gertaizizzg ee " piiiien rider have ereught the resgeeiive empieyers oz' any other gfmateriai erieept the eaiary eeetieate 3:0 estabiish the exact aveeaiion 'aha eseased were doing and me actual ricome they were e;z;,: ;f3g an the ate aftxeir death. In mat View of the; maa", wheii'iree ' s;22;e "ii:g: '; n:;m%er 0f dapegaams in both the ciainz petitiens, n ti 31a' ' =i%1~ L :'u {hays the wife and more than two chiidreia? mghi' ifize V{ec?e%,$."iAisA aiscs Shawn as ens of the dependang. Eiihef of iEi5"fii3'fi i}i8SV' hgoi minimum number sf five persons to ce:>L imtue the {Eider these circumstances, we ceuid take'. n':ot}:;e.oi'3a:~:1i'E3e deceassed persens as 4{}0- per month irrespecia-*9.Qf'aFs'haevef;va1($n they mast have been doing. Baa};-.itheA;'iV:r 'f friends and they haii from t}1e;VVV$1fi' Tpizge. Ziiv the mzmber of dependants', major' :<:>r'?;'s:1j: 'of exsid have $691: spent an the famiiy rather than '}'i'f'I'z5"-Z#3'5/"3S " Tfseffoie, it weul be jug: and prepar is V. "CV1i'-iL:ii3."'i :.i,='":<-;3~'1A idwfards ifjrsonai expenses cf the deceased out of {(1 Rs.3{}OG!-. The 311111131 953 of dependancy w0uAid.' Vc0me t1: ~ s.36,{}GG!- which has to be multiplied by 16 as ' *. <i:=:easei" ayife aged between 28 and 32 as on the date of accident. The iss tryfiepegzdancy eemes to Rs.5,?6,{)(}0!-. Ifwe deduct 25% 611i of VA Ighis {awards contributor}! negligence of the deceased rier Le. Rs.1,44,{)0{)f-, it comes to Rs.4,32,}0()~. To this, other Rs.40,GG;'~ 2.4 towards convenonai heads like 1053 of consortium '(awards the Wife, 1033 df {}V6 and affection towards children and mother, loss {(3 the estate, funeral and incidental charges are added, it w0uid 4.ad aV:0 Rs.4,72,{}GOf-.
25. So far as the pifon rider is c once 1 *ned, - .13? pertaining to piilion rider which is referred. 'to 'die jdtzdgezehi :%i"T'I'z3 :
Tribunai is applicabie provided pii!if rider'b.}di$j"*vs1;ziti3ing ccmpensation aganst the Gwner and Vthijinstirgzr of. 1o1;i* vehiciaa.
Apparentiy, the owner and T }5ma 2o;~ cycle am :13:
befdre us .;zd :16 algdtidn xafhatdevar is made against the rider efthe motercyce. i';*;. fL2a;'i 4v'i e\%e{ 915 'She matter, the piiiiozz rider of the , matdrcigle was r1<3V.t":@ .;)i1 i ip1izd ride: so far as {he iiability of die insured "'. a:':dV'%e V iasurervthe iorry in questiim. Mere ward "piiis:3n rider" does kiwi acidL:ofA'T:d%;:s not debar the insurer is pay compensation to jihe ;1si.4I'Ei:}n"V.:ide};. The piiiian rider will 220% be aiidwed '0 claim x V' " ;mi1pt:T2:;sat}n in the absszzaace ef any specific premium Ewing paid by iifsdrer df the Hlffiyl an which he was a pilion rider. in xed " Sddtexa the triuriai or the Com? has :9 ldek @1110 the giveiz case arid it shduid net gs by the ward er the name 'piiiian ridey'. So far as piiiisn 1') 'J! M rider in this case was a third party ':0 the ingure and ins2zr1'T',FT';}3e ionyr Therefore, the decisien was my': appiicabie ta Eh: C388.
26. Leame Counsei for the fi ricier relies 0 3 F133} Bench j;1;%geme:'t" .r2'p:rte&TV.vi f;AV L KARNsE'AKA 25 in the case sf Ksic gggvzwa [mm QTHERS. Tizis case' {tie $3: sene eeisgoa in Ggnesiz VS.S;e& Mugged A%:;a;:dV az :QtE1'rs 'r:;:Ve in 3,12 1999 Kamataka $83. IQ ; $e, <'a;i1. f :s~13er vehisie was 3:0':
availabieian-. 'EE1%f$fc;fse, jciirxt 01':-fezzszzoz' was mt maa a pafya he *he grgsim afis; tie mgizxning, LRS if 11% pliicm rider szre aware { }f1'-My-"hGSV rnetarcycie decease was proceeding as * ihe:p%.0:'ivv"ier;ei met wiiiz his eath. in that view" of the matter, is';
te ght $'V"i $1 fai*'Vta$ci:2g :2 specific azasntentien ihat {her ride? sf 'm+:3t9rc*i' ;vaLs4's$Eey rsspozasiie far the Gccurremte Gf {ha aceiatzi, x V' j%1ae ' :'.:e1 g%1*.V:"' 2:3 have made <~:ff9rts ta see that ft eihar imurer aai
TA'.'%n3';i"e were 333% maa paitis $0 iha precaedngsx 3'i!'E1 iziherwige, .Vv%a:3er if the maics:*c>'ce is 'age rider Mr 'fzzzizss whs died in 'aha acc%e:1t His; LRS are ar:a3' an raevr. At $16 ngtance <25 baih the LE5, both #316 psiiticma ware dubbed tagether by rec@r&i g4va:;:}f:n 1 n earience 213161 spoged of by a comman arder. Thereffe,' .
avaabie bafore us and the pecuar circumaaceg i:':':%;E1i<i}f:v ur:' has 1:3 gs mm the questien ef <>ntr%t,:"m:" n= ggiige Ce sf '*w: 'ri}f<ie ;"'*{;'~.i "
metczsrcjv-"tie so as '0 quantify the c:1t:'i;:1m:"y"vneg}iget$~;:e A~ s1'71.'.':.3;f:'; rizier, -. ' accarrzg to us? %r11n'$; cass; referred 5'vabcVe {ees mi apgs to me facts sfthe gzesent case. Hzreforeg. Lfa:if"i?:1";L%,~:g.}i'g%:i*1ce of the risr 3? mutoreycie whose omaer and 'ir1suf3r is mat. b3fGr."z;s.Sg we carist fas the Eiabiiity to Gf Thrafzga 25% fmm the 15333 of epenancy T'e1}@* 1 3s.: {:jsa: of piiiien ridar deserves to be deducted. * ae'a;dj$gc above, the insccme ef the piliion rider is 'takgerg.vA a%.R:,:V?$QQ;f pm an 13:3 iota} fess 3? epenmcy with $26 3'%:.ii%;.;$i'erVv.:3;-.}L ta Rs.S,?6,{}G!~ and a sum 9f Rs.},4<i%,Gf~ tixbf xdauazfe tcswards the centriiztery negligeszce {sf 336 x V' fiidta; sf miercycke, Axzetker Rs.4G%s'- adde tiizader "T.-'cezfvetitienai heaiis camas 6 R:+34,'?2,}G,-' eves if': {he case ccf " " V iimagts 0f piiiicn rier.
28. Now it 3 Wei} sealed that in 3 death cases. tize raia 0%' interest shoud '33 6% pa. and in injured cases, it has ta be 8'?;*'Q:'3'."e;:, in that View efthe matter, in bath the cases, ihe ciaimants &1'f3"6IiV}.? iVw:I{'{}:f iriierest 6% pa. from the date af petition till the data raj5i%:e.{at #3' the award amountccerdixug the faiiowingr MFA P~E0.42/G7 is ailewed'Vasicie'-t.}{:d;ment and award cf dismissal by the o fv' R$A.VV4,72,000.? is awarded together wth from the date of petitian ;j;v1l'an E\c:}; 1'fj Vi:S" ~e:1ii;itVe to 3 share of 50% of the camemiion .;?';7'7%\ ':";/,. .v'0u t".<f '.$vhich 25% of the amount 5-1a be ' aigguigd ;<3:E1e*:* a,nd ham of 25% 3113.1} be kept in ism depesit :2: "1,*:z?V:1a{i0 iizZs%,eIchaduia Bank for a period sf 5 yearg, N052 ta 5 age entied to baiance 50% of tlza '~ a r:Ammt ii1v.e;iua ghare, The share of the minors shali be kept in fixed any natienalise-ti er schedaied bank till they attain {Liza age of K ;p 3. %rrit2 and the interest therean shall be paid ta agpeliant No.1 am Lme to time to meet the expenses of the minors. The shares 01" nwther of de -eased shall be kept in fixed depssii in any Fiai :? %'<':g'-3? schedule bani: fer a pzrim 0f {Eva years and {he . thereon shaii {as paid to the mether of decei3.s;3d from} 'time i;i zi';ef "
MFA N0.96};6/Q6 3 aiicswed in {$321 1' compensation to Rsx1,?2,00Gz"'- as againgt 'aw*ard 'R%.g 95.{}Q,%3G . ; The rate of interest is 3350 red13ced :<5:'{S '*/;V. .a. " (:}.1;sa{i3n of Rs.4,72,}0{)f~ is awarded togetiier S2sit1%eg.';fo?;'*L[v';.;iii .,interest at 6% pa' fmm the date of petitioz: an :1"1e'da f'p;y:$f;t. A: ' Appeigagfs. is Via} . 'fa V' iiipre of S'?X{; (if {ha compexaszgifzt of the ammmt shall be disbursed 9 er nd " ':'.'%*? /fa sha he kepi in xe epesit in any natkrszas"<:ti :c1.$iiu:i far a pericrd 0f 5 years, 'V Igippelian 4 are entitled I0 baiance 50% of the 1au.=vz1f:;:3;V in Tiae Share ofthe minors shall be kept 21 fixeci depsifizi f 13L %ti;}n&1iS6d or fscheuied bank till they attain the age of " r'i321jority zazltil {he inierest thereon shaii be paid to appeiiant '$30.1 from A jt'i:,r1'<+; -f.o' Eime ta mes: the expenses of the miners. The share of mother Qfsiieceased shaii be imp: in fixed depasit in any zzationaiised an if * ;s;e:he-:i:.ae& ban}: for a perio cf ve years and the interest acrerue thereon shah be paid in the meme: ozzzf deceased em 3 Eight. Weeks iirrze cm the date of receipt of carp}; 6'? epasit the abzyve amounts is ganted.
Iudgig