The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded a compensation of ₹64.75 lakh to the family of a 42-year-old Pune-based businessman who died following a road accident in 2022. In an order passed on March 25, MACT member RV Mohite directed the motorcycle owner and a Thane-based insurance company to pay the compensation jointly and severally, along with 9 per cent interest per annum from the date of the petition.
The deceased, Yuvraj Bhagawan Jagtap, was a resident of Pune where he operated an automobile servicing business. The fatal incident occurred on November 24, 2022, while Jagtap was crossing the road near Chikhali in Pune district. A speeding motorcycle struck him, resulting in severe head injuries. Despite medical intervention, Jagtap succumbed to his injuries on December 13, 2022.
The claim was filed by his surviving family members, including his wife, two sons, and his parents. Notably, while the family had initially calculated the total damages to be over ₹2.19 crore, they limited their formal claim in the petition to just ₹1 lakh, citing a severe financial crunch at the time of filing.
The insurance company contested the claim on multiple grounds. It alleged that the deceased was himself negligent while crossing the road and further contended that the motorcyclist involved in the accident did not possess a valid driving licence at the time of the crash.
The motorcycle owner did not appear before the tribunal to present a defense, leading the matter to be decided ex parte against him.
The tribunal meticulously examined the police investigation reports and eyewitness accounts to determine liability. The MACT rejected the insurance company’s allegations of negligence on the part of the victim.
The tribunal observed that the victim was “walking on the road with proper care and caution.” Regarding the motorcyclist’s conduct, the MACT stated:
“At that time, the motorcycle came in high and excessive speed without keeping a watch on the traffic conditions and dashed into the deceased.”
The tribunal concluded that this evidence clearly demonstrated “rash and negligent driving” by the motorcycle rider. It further noted that “there is nothing on record to show any contributory act on the part of the deceased.” On the issue of the driving licence, the tribunal found that the rider did, in fact, hold a valid licence at the time of the accident.
While the claimants had restricted their prayer to ₹1 lakh due to financial difficulties, the tribunal exercised its mandate to award “just compensation.” To calculate the final amount, the MACT assessed Jagtap’s notional income at ₹35,000 per month.
The total award of ₹64.75 lakh encompasses loss of future income, prospects, and reimbursement for medical expenses incurred during his treatment. To ensure the long-term financial security of the dependents, the tribunal ordered that a significant portion of the compensation be placed in fixed deposits in the names of the wife and the two children.
