New Delhi, Jun 21 A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded over Rs 31.4 lakh compensation to a physical education teacher who suffered permanent disability in a road accident in 2023 in which his wife was killed.
Presiding Officer Gunjan Gupta was hearing the claim petition filed by Dalbir Singh, who suffered 65 per cent permanent disability in an accident that took place near Shivaji Park Metro Station in west Delhi on January 26, 2023.
In an order dated June 12, the tribunal said, "...the claimants have successfully proved that the petitioner suffered grievous injuries in road accident due to rash and negligent driving of offending vehicle being driven by respondent no.1 (driver Ankit Goel)."
According to the tribunal, Dalbir Singh was driving to the New Delhi Railway Station with his wife, son and another person when the offending car hit his vehicle from behind at a high speed. Due to the impact, his vehicle crashed into a metro pillar.
The tribunal noted that Singh suffered grievous injuries while his wife, Suman, sustained fatal injuries.
Rejecting the defence of the driver, the tribunal said the evidence on record, including the charge sheet, mechanical inspection reports and witness testimony, established rash and negligent driving.
The tribunal said that the driver's version of the accident was inconsistent and contradicted both the physical evidence and his own stand during the proceedings.
It also rejected the insurance company's contention that it should be absolved of liability because the driver was allegedly under the influence of alcohol.
While the driver's medical record noted the smell of alcohol, the tribunal said no breath analyser or blood test was conducted to establish that the alcohol content exceeded the statutory limit prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Act.
The tribunal recorded that the 51-year-old claimant, a physical education teacher earning Rs 25,290 per month, suffered 65 per cent permanent locomotor disability in relation to his right lower limb.
Considering the nature of his profession, it assessed his functional disability at 50 per cent.
Awarding compensation under various heads, including loss of future earning capacity, pain and suffering, loss of amenities, attendant charges and special diet, the tribunal granted a total compensation of Rs 31,41,854 along with 9 per cent annual interest from the date of filing of the claim petition till payment.
