A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Delhi has awarded ₹94.69 lakh in compensation to the family of a 49-year-old security guard who died after being hit by a bus in November 2023, holding that the accident occurred due to rash and negligent driving by the bus driver.
Presiding Officer Harun Pratap passed the award on February 11 while deciding a claim petition filed by the dependents of the deceased, Jitender.
According to the claim, Jitender was waiting near the Bank Colony bus stand on November 22, 2023 when an electric bus allegedly came at a high speed and struck him, causing fatal injuries.
The tribunal found that the accident was caused by the negligent driving of the offending vehicle. It rejected the defence taken by the driver and the owner of the bus, who had contended that the deceased suddenly came in front of the vehicle after jumping a red light.
The tribunal noted that no evidence was led by the respondents to substantiate this allegation.
It further recorded that the status of the petitioners as dependents of the deceased “has neither been denied nor disputed in any manner by the respondents during the entire proceedings”, making them entitled to compensation.
Awarding compensation under various heads, the tribunal directed:
“In view of the findings on the aforesaid issues, the petitioners are hereby awarded a sum of ₹94,69,389 along with interest at 8 per cent per annum from the date of filing of DAR (Detailed Accident Report) petition till its deposition by the R3 (insurance company).”
Since the bus was insured at the time of the accident, the tribunal directed the insurance company to deposit the awarded amount for disbursement to the deceased’s family.
The MACT concluded that the fatal injuries suffered by Jitender were the direct result of the rash and negligent driving of the bus and held the insurer liable to satisfy the award.
