A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded over ₹1.62 crore in compensation to a 21-year-old student who sustained severe injuries and was rendered functionally disabled in a road accident involving a rashly driven bus.
Presiding Officer Vikram passed the order on January 6 while deciding a claim petition filed by Aryan Rana, who was hit by a bus from behind while riding his scooty on July 1, 2024.
According to the petition, Aryan was returning home when the speeding bus collided with his vehicle, causing him to suffer grievous injuries. He was immediately taken to a hospital for emergency treatment.
During the proceedings, the respondents denied responsibility and alleged false implication but failed to lodge any complaint to substantiate their claim. The testimony of the bus conductor, however, corroborated the petitioner’s version, stating that the scooty was ahead of the bus and that the collision occurred when the bus overtook it.
Rejecting the defence, the tribunal held:
“It is held that the rashness and negligence on the part of driver of the offending vehicle, which is clearly visible, was responsible not only for this accident, but also for everything that followed thereafter.”
Aryan, a first-year university student at the time, was medically certified to have suffered 53% temporary physical disability. The tribunal, however, concluded that the nature of injuries and their impact on his life translated to a 90% functional disability.
“The kind of disability petitioner has suffered shows that the petitioner will never be able to work for gain. His physical disability may improve a little but that will never be such that will allow him to earn,” the tribunal observed.
The compensation includes:
- ₹59.36 lakh for loss of future earnings
- Other sums under heads such as medical expenses, pain and suffering, attendant charges, loss of amenities, and special diet
Since the offending vehicle was insured at the time of the incident, the tribunal directed The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. to deposit the entire compensation amount with interest.
