New Delhi, Jun 30 A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Delhi has awarded over Rs 29.74 lakh as compensation to a 38-year-old property dealer who suffered 66 per cent permanent physical disability after being hit by a rashly driven luxury car in south Delhi in 2024.
Presiding Officer Aditi Garg was hearing a claim petition filed by Deepak Gupta, who suffered multiple injuries and became permanently disabled after an SUV hit his scooter and fled the spot.
In an order dated June 23, the tribunal said, “The material placed on record prima facie establishes that the accident in question occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle by respondent No.1 (Suneet Kalra)”.
According to the tribunal, Deepak Gupta was riding his scooter in Mandakini Enclave on November 3, 2024, when a Mercedes SUV, allegedly driven rashly by Suneet Kalra, overtook him from the left, hit the scooter and fled the spot.
The SUV's front number plate fell at the scene, while CCTV footage corroborated the involvement of the vehicle. The driver later admitted to police that he was driving the vehicle.
The tribunal said that the respondents did not seriously dispute the accident or the insurance cover and held that the material on record established that the accident occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the offending vehicle.
“It can reasonably be inferred that the injured has suffered substantial impairment in his earning capacity and that he would not be able to perform his professional activities with the same degree of efficiency, mobility and stamina as before the accident,” it said.
Gupta suffered multiple fractures, including injuries to his spine, left upper and lower limbs, pelvis, ribs and vertebrae, and was certified to have 66 per cent permanent physical disability.
However, noting that physical disability could not be mechanically equated with loss of earning capacity, the tribunal assessed his functional disability at 40 per cent, considering that his work as a property dealer required extensive mobility and interaction with clients.
The tribunal then awarded Rs 29.74 lakh compensation to the victim under various heads.
It noted that the vehicle was insured at the time of accident and directed the insurance company to deposit the compensation amount.
