A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded ₹1.63 crore in compensation to the wife and mother of a 37-year-old engineer who died after his car was hit head-on by another vehicle in May 2023.
The award was passed by Presiding Officer Ruchika Singla while deciding a compensation petition filed by the deceased’s wife and mother. The victim, Saurabh Gupta, lost his life following a road accident that occurred on May 10, 2023.
According to the petition, Gupta and his wife were travelling from Delhi to Himachal Pradesh at around 5.30 am when the accident took place near a toll plaza. A car coming from the opposite direction allegedly jumped the divider on the dual carriageway and rammed into their vehicle, resulting in a severe collision.
The tribunal noted that Gupta sustained grievous injuries in the crash and later died due to sepsis. In its order dated December 18, the tribunal held that the accident was caused by rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle.
Rejecting the insurance company’s argument that Gupta was contributorily negligent, the tribunal observed that there was no material on record to suggest any fault on the part of the deceased. It also noted that the driver of the offending car failed to explain how his vehicle crossed onto the opposite carriageway.
Under various heads, including loss of dependency and other statutory components, the tribunal computed total compensation at ₹1.63 crore. It directed Cholamandalam General Insurance Co Ltd, the insurer of the offending vehicle, to pay the awarded amount to the claimants.
The order reiterates the tribunal’s strict approach in cases of fatal road accidents involving clear findings of rash and negligent driving.
