MACT Awards Rs 1.18 Crore Compensation to Pune Engineer’s Family in 2021 Fatal Tanker Crash Case
Pune, 12th June 2026: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded compensation of Rs 1.18 crore to the family of a Pune-based design engineer who died after a gas tanker allegedly rammed his motorcycle on the Mumbai-Pune corridor in 2021.
In its order, the tribunal directed the state-owned insurance company to pay the compensation amount to the victim’s dependants and subsequently recover it from the owner of the offending tanker.
The claim petition was filed by the deceased engineer’s wife, Reshma Kalpesh Valanjkar (43), and their minor son Varad (14), seeking compensation for the loss of the family’s sole breadwinner.
According to the petition, Kalpesh Valanjkar, 39, was riding his motorcycle from Lonavala towards Talegaon Dabhade on February 18, 2021, when a propane gas tanker allegedly hit his vehicle from behind. He suffered grievous injuries in the crash and died during treatment on February 25.
After examining the evidence on record, the tribunal held the tanker driver solely responsible for the accident. The order noted that the heavy vehicle was being driven in a rash and negligent manner and struck the motorcycle from behind, causing the rider to fall onto the road. The rear wheel of the tanker then ran over both his legs, resulting in severe injuries.
While calculating compensation, the tribunal took into account the deceased’s age, professional background and future earning potential. Of the total award amount, Rs 86.94 lakh was granted towards loss of future income, with the remaining amount covering other heads, including consortium and conventional damages.
The tribunal observed that the family had suffered a significant financial and emotional loss due to the untimely death of the engineer and was entitled to just compensation under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.
