IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE, ANDHRA PRADESH AT HYDERABAD FRIDAY, THE TWENTIETH DAY OF AUGUST TWO THOUSAND AND TEN PRESENT HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY M.A.C.M.A.No.988 OF 2010 Between:- Angur Rani Mandal and 4 others …Appellants A n d V.Govinda Rao and another …Respondents HON’BLE SRI JUSTICE G.V.SEETHAPATHY M.A.C.M.A.No.988 OF 2010 JUDGMENT: This appeal is directed against the award dated 12-04-2006 in O.P.No.1976 of 2003, on the file of the Chairman, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal-cum-XIV- Additional Chief Judge, City Civil Court (FTC), Hyderabad (for short ‘the tribunal’), wherein the claim of appellants was allowed-in-part, awarding compensation of Rs.3,60,000/- with interest at 7.5% per annum. However, the interest was directed to be paid only from 01-02-2006. Aggrieved by the said direction regarding the date from which the interest is payable, the present appeal is filed by the claimants. 2. With the consent of both sides and as the issue involved is simple, the matter is taken up for final disposal. Heard both sides. 3. The claim application was filed on 01-08- 2003. O.P.No.1976 of 2003 was disposed of on 12-04- 2006 awarding compensation of Rs.3,60,000/-. While granting interest at 7.5% per annum, the tribunal directed that the interest shall be paid from 01-02-2006 on the ground that the evidence was adduced on that date. There is nothing on record to show that the claimants are in any way responsible for the delay in the disposal of the claim application filed by them. When the claim application was filed on 01-08-2003, the interest ought to have been granted from the said date. Restricting the claim for interest from 01-02-2006 has no basis and the claimants cannot be denied of their valuable right to claim interest from the date of filing of the application, on the ground that the enquiry commenced on 01-02-2006. As the claimants cannot be held responsible for the delay in taking up the matter for enquiry, the restriction of the claim for interest from 01-02- 2006, as ordered by the tribunal, is unsustainable. 4. In the circumstances, the claimants are held entitled for interest at 7.5% per annum from 01-08-2003, the date on which the application is filed. The impugned order is modified accordingly. 5. In the result, the civil miscellaneous appeal is allowed to the extent stated above. There shall be no order as to costs. ____________________ G.V.SEETHAPATHY, J 20th August, 2010. Lrkm.