MACT Orders MSRTC to Pay ₹44.15 Lakh Compensation in Fatal Thane Road Accident

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has directed the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to pay a compensation of ₹44.15 lakh to the family of Sadashiv Koraga Moolya, a municipal bus driver who died following a road accident involving an MSRTC bus in 2019.

The order was passed on July 17 by MACT member R.V. Mohite, and a copy was made available on Monday.

Moolya, 54, employed with the Thane Municipal Transport (TMT), was riding his scooter on October 5, 2019, when he was struck by an MSRTC bus near the Khopat signal in Thane. According to the petition filed by his wife and daughter, the MSRTC bus emerged suddenly from the Khopat ST bus stand at high speed and hit the rear side of Moolya’s scooter, causing him to fall and suffer severe head injuries. He succumbed to his injuries on November 15, 2019, after over a month of hospitalization.

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While MSRTC denied the negligence of its driver and alleged that Moolya’s own rash driving caused the accident, the tribunal held both parties partly responsible. The tribunal assessed the MSRTC bus driver’s negligence at 75% and Moolya’s at 25%.

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“There is evidence that the ST bus driver did not adequately account for oncoming traffic while exiting the depot,” the tribunal observed. However, it also noted that Moolya bore some responsibility for not slowing down upon seeing the bus.

The claimants, represented by advocate P.M. Tillu, stated that Moolya earned ₹35,925 per month and was the sole breadwinner. Though the original claim was up to ₹80 lakh, they later restricted their demand to ₹1 lakh during the hearing.

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Rejecting MSRTC’s arguments regarding the delay in FIR registration and alleged contributory negligence, the tribunal awarded a total compensation of ₹44.15 lakh, with interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing the claim until the amount is deposited. The MSRTC has been directed to deposit the compensation within one month.

As per the tribunal’s directions, Moolya’s wife will receive ₹25.15 lakh, with ₹10 lakh to be placed in a fixed deposit for three years. His daughter will receive ₹19 lakh, with ₹7 lakh to be invested for five years.

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