The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded ₹33.17 lakh as compensation to the family of a 20-year-old engineering student who died after being hit by a motorcycle in Palghar district in December 2020. The tribunal also permitted the insurer to recover the amount from the vehicle owner, citing a breach of policy terms.
The deceased, Vipul Santosh Sawant, was a B.Tech student walking along the Khaniwali-Gorhe road with a friend on December 25, 2020, when a speeding motorcycle hit him. He sustained grievous injuries and died during treatment at a private hospital. His parents and sister approached the MACT seeking compensation, stating that Vipul was a bright student with a promising future.
MACT Member R.V. Mohite rejected the insurance company’s claim that an unknown vehicle was involved, noting that eyewitness accounts and police records clearly identified the motorcycle responsible.
Crucially, it was found that the motorcycle rider and owner only possessed a licence for four-wheelers, not motorcycles—a violation of the insurance policy terms. Despite this, the tribunal protected the interests of third-party victims by directing the insurer to pay the compensation and granted it the right to recover the amount from the vehicle owner later.
The tribunal assessed Vipul’s notional income at ₹20,000 per month, considering his educational background and future career prospects. The total compensation of ₹33.17 lakh was allocated as follows:
- ₹12.67 lakh to the mother
- ₹12.5 lakh to the father
- ₹8 lakh to the sister
The tribunal also directed that a portion of the awarded amounts be kept in fixed deposits for two years to ensure long-term financial stability for the family.
The compensation is to carry 9% annual interest from the date the petition was filed. While the insurance company is to disburse the amount to the claimants, it retains the right to initiate recovery proceedings against the vehicle owner due to the breach of licensing norms.
