"Madras High Court Awards ₹1.04 Crores Compensation to Family of Man Crushed by Bus at Dharampuri Bus Stand in 2016
In a significant judgment delivered on July 17, the Madras High Court directed the Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation to pay ₹1.04 crores as compensation to the family of a 33-year-old man who tragically lost his life in 2016 after being crushed by a bus at a bus stand in Dharampuri district.
The court, comprising of Justices Nisha Banu and D Bharatha Chakravarthy, revised the compensation amount from ₹82 lakh, which had been previously awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT), after considering various factors, including the victim's monthly earnings before the accident.
The State had argued that the victim was partially responsible for the accident, as he was allegedly standing in the middle of the bus stand instead of the designated bus bay. However, the High Court rejected this argument, pointing out that Indian bus stands lacked proper segregation and entry points, unlike in some other countries.
Advocate S Sathiaseelan, representing the victim's family, opposed the State's contention and requested an increase in the compensation amount.
The High Court clarified that any deduction due to contributory negligence could only be limited to 20%, a factor that had already been considered by the Tribunal.
The Court emphasized the need for improved infrastructure at bus stands to prevent such incidents and observed that passengers in India usually enter bus stands from various directions due to the absence of dedicated platforms or pathways.
The State has been ordered to pay the enhanced compensation amount within six weeks, after deducting the previously paid sum to the victim's family."
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TAGS: Madras High Court Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation compensation ₹1.04 crores kin man crushed to death bus stand Dharampuri district 2016 judgment Justices Nisha Banu D Bharatha Chakravarthy Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) monthly remuneration victim's family contributory negligence Additional Advocate General P Kumaresan argument rejected Advocate S Sathiaseelan enhanced compensation amount Indian bus stands lack of segregation infrastructure improvement six weeks.
