The appellate court found no basis to reduce the tribunal’s compensation award or interest rate.

The minor claimant was injured when the van in which he was travelling collided head-on with a Transport Corporation bus on 24 September 2003. He sustained head and other injuries, and his hearing capacity was reduced.

His claim petition sought Rs.5,00,000 in compensation; the Tribunal attributed negligence to the bus driver and awarded Rs.12,795 with interest at 9% per annum.

The Transport Corporation appealed, challenging the compensation and interest rate.

1. Whether the Tribunal was correct in fixing compensation at Rs.12,795.

2. Whether the compensation or the interest rate warranted appellate interference.

The appeal was brought under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, which provides for an appeal against an award of a Claims Tribunal.

The judgment cited no further statutory provision or precedent, and stated no distinct legal test for reassessing compensation or interest.

The Court considered the doctor’s evidence and the discharge summary, which showed that the claimant had sustained head and other injuries and suffered reduced hearing capacity.

On that evidence, it held that the Tribunal’s award was neither excessive nor exorbitant. It also found no sufficient ground, in the circumstances of the case, to interfere with the 9% interest rate.

It directed the Transport Corporation to deposit the award and accrued interest, if not already deposited, within six weeks of receiving the judgment; the claimant was permitted to withdraw the amount in accordance with law.

No costs were ordered, and the connected miscellaneous petition was closed.