The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has awarded a compensation of ₹8.13 lakh to an auto-rickshaw driver and television side actor injured in a 2016 road accident, while strongly criticising the van’s insurance company for deliberately prolonging the case.
Presided over by Member S.N. Shah, the MACT noted that the insurer had “acted with interest to prolong the matter as far as it could” and ordered it to pay ₹15,000 as compensatory cost to the claimant, Imran Mohamad Khan. The tribunal’s detailed order was passed on May 20 and became available on Wednesday.
Khan was seriously injured on July 29, 2016, when a motor van allegedly jumped a traffic signal and collided with his auto-rickshaw. The van was owned by a business services company. As a result of the accident, Khan sustained multiple facial injuries, including broken teeth, which he said significantly hampered his acting career.
The tribunal found the insurer’s conduct particularly egregious. Despite appearing through counsel as early as December 2016, the insurer failed to file a written statement for over five years and eight months. Though a “no written statement” order was passed in August 2021, it was later set aside and the statement was eventually submitted.
The tribunal also noted that after Khan closed his evidence on March 29, 2023, the matter remained pending due to repeated applications by the insurer for summoning witnesses — none of which were properly followed up.
“From all these facts on record, it is apparent that opponent no. 2 [the insurer] was interested to prolong the matter as far as it can,” the tribunal observed.
The compensation of ₹8,13,200 awarded by the tribunal includes:
- ₹2,88,000 for future loss of income
- ₹41,000 for hospital and medical expenses
- ₹30,000 for special diet and conveyance
- ₹1,15,200 for future prospects
- ₹2,59,000 for future treatment
- ₹30,000 for pain and suffering
- ₹50,000 for loss of amenities and enjoyment of life
Both the van owner and the insurer were held jointly and severally liable to pay the amount, with interest at 8% per annum from the date the petition was filed. Of the total sum, ₹6.13 lakh with interest is to be paid directly to Khan, while ₹2 lakh will be kept in fixed deposit for five years.
