The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra’s Thane district has awarded a total compensation of ₹34 lakh to the victims of a 2019 road accident involving a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus that resulted in one fatality and serious injuries to another.
Presiding Officer R.V. Mohite, in separate judgments passed on July 15, held the MSRTC and its driver liable for the accident, stating that it occurred due to the driver’s negligence. The orders became public on Friday.
The tribunal granted ₹21.4 lakh as compensation to the family of Hemant Sonavale, a 28-year-old who died on the spot after his motorcycle was struck near the Valvan Bridge on the old Pune-Mumbai highway in Lonavala on January 31, 2019. An additional ₹12.56 lakh was awarded to Atul Desai, who was riding pillion and sustained serious injuries.
According to the tribunal, the accident took place when the MSRTC bus took a sudden right turn without indicating, hitting the motorcycle from behind and throwing both riders under its rear wheels.
Dismissing the MSRTC’s contention that Sonavale had applied brakes abruptly, the tribunal noted that the police FIR and spot panchanama contradicted the corporation’s version. “There is no evidence on record to show that the driver of the offending bus gave an indicator before taking the turn,” the judgment stated.
The court also emphasized that Sonavale was riding at a moderate speed and was in full compliance with traffic regulations at the time of the incident. “There is nothing on record to show any contributory negligence on the part of the driver of the motorcycle,” Judge Mohite observed.
The compensation was granted under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which pertains to claims for compensation in case of injury or death due to motor vehicle accidents.
