Pune: Tribunal Awards Rs 2.65 Crore Compensation to Family of Accident Victim
Pune, 21st January 2025: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has directed Go Digit General Insurance Limited to pay ₹2.65 crore as compensation to the widow and three dependents of a technical manager who tragically lost his life in an accident on the Pune-Mumbai highway near Kamshet Ghat in January 2023.
The incident occurred on January 29, 2023, when the manager, traveling from Khopoli to Pune, was struck by a trailer truck that overturned after hitting a divider. The 42-year-old sustained critical injuries and succumbed in a hospital on February 1.
Following the accident, the truck driver was charged with causing death due to negligence under the Indian Penal Code and relevant sections of the Motor Vehicles Act. The criminal case against the driver is currently pending.
The victim’s wife (40), daughter (11), and elderly parents (73 and 75) filed a claim under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act, seeking ₹5 crore in compensation for their loss.
In an order dated January 9, 2025, MACT member D.P. Ragit stated that the matter was resolved amicably between the applicants and the insurance company. A joint settlement agreement was submitted to the tribunal for final approval.
Advocate Sunil Dravid, representing the insurance company, explained, “We encouraged an amicable settlement due to the strong evidence against the truck driver and the lack of statutory defences available in this case. The settlement reflects consideration of the victim’s age and his last drawn income.”
The tribunal subsequently directed the insurance company to pay ₹2.65 crore to the claimants within one month of issuing the compromise decree on January 13.
