The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded a compensation of ₹64.73 lakh to the family of a sanitation worker who was killed in a tragic road accident in 2021. The Tribunal held the truck owner and its insurance company jointly and severally liable to pay the amount, along with 9% interest per annum from the date of the claim.
The deceased, Premdas Chindhu Jadhav, 48, was employed with the Bhiwandi Nizampur Municipal Corporation (BNMC) since 1999. On the night of September 26, 2021, while returning to Sange village on his motorcycle, Jadhav was hit by a speeding truck coming from the wrong side at Bapgaon Naka. He died on the spot.
An eyewitness, who was riding a motorcycle behind Jadhav, testified that the truck was being driven in a “rash and negligent manner” and at an “excessive and uncontrollable speed.” The Padgha police subsequently registered a case under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Motor Vehicles Act.
Jadhav’s wife and three children had approached the Tribunal seeking compensation for both pecuniary and non-pecuniary losses arising from his untimely death. MACT member R.V. Mohite observed that there was no evidence suggesting contributory negligence on Jadhav’s part, and held the truck driver solely responsible for the fatal crash.
The Tribunal also dismissed the insurer’s argument that the truck driver lacked a valid driving licence. It accepted documentary evidence from BNMC establishing that Jadhav was a permanent employee entitled to salary revisions under the 7th Pay Commission.
