Case: State of Himachal Pradesh and Ors Vs. Naval Kumar

3. We herein set out the facts, in brief, to appreciate the issue involved in this appeal4. On 18.03.2012 at about 3.30 p.m., the Respondent-Naval Kumar alias Rohit Kumar, who was 8 years old at the time of incident, accompanied his mother to the fields to collect Saag where he got electrocuted with a high tension live wire (11 KV) commonly known as Lahru-Chowari Line. He received grievous burn and other injuries and became unconscious. On the same day, FIR was registered at the instance of the mother of the Respondent5. The Respondent was initially taken to Referral Hospital Chowari for treatment. Thereafter he was referred to Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical Hospital, Tanda, District Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. He was operated on 25.03.2012 and his both arms were amputated. He was admitted in Dr. Rajendra Prasad Medical Hospital, Tanda w.e.f. 18.03.2012 to 03.05.2012. The Respondent suffered 100% disability. During the course of hospitalization, the family of the Respondent had to incur expenses exceeding Rs. 2,00,000/- including medicines, taxi charges, attendant charges, special diet charges etc. The Respondent has now become totally dependent upon family members even for day-to-day activities for his entire life. The Respondent was throughout brilliant student in his studies and had to discontinue his studies after this unfortunate incident6. The Respondent, through his mother and natural guardian, namely, Smt. Lata Devi, filed writ petition being W.P. No. 475 of 2013 in the High Court against the Appellants herein claiming a compensation of Rs. 50,00,000/- under various heads and also stated that they have incurred Rs. 2,00,000/- for medical expenses. The Respondent also prayed for a direction to the authorities to install and maintain all the electricity wires, conductors, apparatus etc. strictly in accordance with the Electricity Act, Rules, Regulations etc. so that no such untoward incident would take place in the future7. The High Court, by impugned judgment dated 09.01.2015, allowed the writ petition filed by the Respondent herein and awarded a compensation of Rs. 1,25,00,000/- under different heads to the Respondent8. Against the said judgment, the Appellants have filed this appeal by way of special leave before this Court.

Court's reasoning:
13. Having heard the learned Counsel for the parties and on perusal of the record of the case, we find some force in the submissions urged by the learned Counsel for the Appellant-State and, hence, we are inclined to interfere in the impugned order and, in consequence, reduce the compensation awarded by the High Court to the extent indicated infra15. The High Court held and, in our view, rightly that the incident in question occurred due to negligence of the State and its authorities and hence the State was vicariously liable to compensate the Respondent for the losses sustained by the Respondent. It may be mentioned that the State rightly did not challenge this finding and hence we need not go into its correctness. The High Court further held and, in our view, rightly that having regard to the family background of the Respondent and further Respondents excellent performance as a brilliant student in studies, he would have easily earned Rs. 30,000/- per month in his life. We find no good ground to interfere in this finding of fact, which, in our opinion, is based on proper material on record16. The High Court, however, further awarded Rs. 10,00,000/- towards loss of companionship, life amenities/pleasures, and happiness, Rs. 10,00,000/- for pain and suffering, mental distress, trauma and discomfort and inconvenience, Rs. 10,00,000/- towards attendant/nursing expenses, and lastly, Rs. 5,00,000/- for securing artificial/robotic limbs and future medical expenses. In our considered view, the award of compensation under these 4 heads appears to be on very higher side and is not supported by any evidence. It is, in our view, based on assumptions and presumptions to which we do not concur. In our view, entitlement under these heads is one thing and the quantum of grant of compensation under these heads is another thing. In this case, as rightly urged by the learned Counsel for the Appellant-State that lump sum award of compensation under these heads is on higher side and is not supported by any evidence. It is, therefore, not legally sustainable17. In our considered view, taking into consideration the facts and circumstances of the case such as Respondents family background, his age (8 years), nature of permanent disability suffered by the Respondent, his performance in studies, the determination of monthly/yearly income made by the High Court, expenses incurred and all the relevant factors, which are usually taken into account in awarding compensation to the victim, the Respondent is held entitled for a total lump sum compensation of Rs. 90,00,000/- (Rs. Ninety lacs) together with interest payable at the rate of 6% p.a. in place of Rs. 1,25,00,000/- awarded by the High Court.