New Delhi, A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded over ₹ 32.74 lakh compensation to the family of a 49-year-old man who died after his motorcycle was hit by a speeding truck in Delhi in 2023.
The claim petition was filed by his wife, two sons, two daughters and mother. The truck driver and owner denied negligence and disputed the involvement of the vehicle, while the insurer contended that the deceased was under the influence of alcohol and was himself responsible for the accident. It noted that the respondents failed to rebut the eyewitness account or lead any evidence in support of their defence.
Presiding Officer Manish Sharma was hearing a claim petition filed by the family of Mukesh Kumar and directed SBI General Insurance Company to pay the compensation with 9 per cent annual interest to the deceased’s family. The family claimed that Kumar, who ran a small hotel business, was earning around ₹ 45,000 per month. Relying on the testimony of an eyewitness, the tribunal held that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver.
“This tribunal is constrained to hold Respondent No.1 guilty of gross neglect and default in driving the offending vehicle at the relevant time leading to the death of deceased,” the tribunal said in an order dated August 5. The tribunal said that the driver had not explained the circumstances in which the truck hit the motorcycle and held him guilty of “gross neglect and default” leading to Kumar’s death.
