The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded ₹32.59 lakh in compensation to the family of a Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) bus driver who was killed in a road accident in 2014. The tribunal also granted ₹4 lakh to MSRTC for damages to its bus involved in the incident.
In an order passed on July 5, MACT presiding officer R.V. Mohite held the truck driver involved in the crash primarily responsible for the accident, attributing 75% negligence to him, while assigning 25% contributory negligence to the deceased driver, 57-year-old Kisan Chaudhari.
The fatal accident occurred on January 2, 2014, near Thidbi village in Thane district when a speeding truck veered into the middle of the road and collided with the MSRTC bus that Chaudhari was driving towards Alephata in Pune. The impact caused the bus to plunge into a valley, leading to Chaudhari’s death on the spot.
While a police chargesheet was filed against the truck driver, the tribunal based its findings on the panchnama and vehicle positions at the site, concluding that the truck driver failed to utilize ample space on his left, leading to the collision. “The accident could have been avoided if either driver had taken due precaution,” the tribunal noted.
Recognising that Chaudhari was the sole breadwinner of the family and had permanent employment with MSRTC, the tribunal held his family was entitled to lawful compensation for loss of dependency. However, it rejected the family’s claim for agricultural income loss, citing lack of evidence for sustained high-yield farming activity.
The tribunal directed the truck owner and its insurer to jointly and severally pay the compensation within one month, along with 9% annual interest from the date the petition was filed. According to the breakdown, ₹16.59 lakh will be given to Chaudhari’s wife, ₹10 lakh to his son, and ₹2 lakh each to his three daughters.
Separately, in a related claim, MSRTC, which had sought ₹10 lakh for damage to the bus, was awarded ₹4 lakh. The tribunal said the higher amount claimed was not supported by the evidence on record. This sum will be paid with 7.5% interest from the date of filing the claim.
