Karnataka HC Adds ₹5,000 Each To Awards For Four Passengers Hurt In KSRTC-Lorry Crash

On 14 April 2016, the appellants were travelling as passengers in a KSRTC bus when it collided with a lorry near Havambhavi check post, Ballari.

They sustained injuries and sought compensation before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Ballari.

The Tribunal awarded Rs.15,000 in MVC Nos. 1107, 1108 and 1110 of 2018, and Rs.10,000 in MVC No.1109 of 2018.

The claimants appealed under Section 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, seeking enhancement.

The judgment records a discrepancy in the Tribunal award date: the opening paragraph gives 06.01.2018, while the appeal descriptions state 06.01.2020.

The appeals were brought under Section 173(1) of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which provides the appellate route invoked by the claimants.

The judgment identifies no other statutory provision or precedent as the basis for reassessing compensation; it considers the injury evidence and whether the Tribunal’s awards warranted enhancement.

The Court reviewed the wound certificates and found that they recorded only simple injuries.

It also noted the absence of other material evidence establishing medical expenses.

Although it considered that the Tribunal had rightly assessed compensation, it awarded an additional Rs.5,000 to each claimant in the interest of justice.

Compensation was increased from Rs.15,000 to Rs.20,000 in MFA Nos. 100837, 100627 and 100635 of 2021, and from Rs.10,000 to Rs.15,000 in MFA No.100626 of 2021.

The enhanced amounts carry interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petitions until payment, and KSRTC was directed to deposit them with accrued interest before the Tribunal within four weeks of receiving the certified judgment.