Seven Years Later, Pune Tribunal Grants Rs 12.79 Lakh to Family of Road Accident Victim
Pune, 12th March 2026: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Pune has ordered a compensation of ₹12,79,000 to be paid to the family of a 55-year-old labourer who lost his life in a tragic road accident seven years ago.
District Judge-10 and Additional Member of MACT, D. P. Ragit, delivered the judgment on March 9, 2026, bringing a conclusion to a legal battle that began in 2019. The court applied the ‘pay and recover’ principle, ensuring the victims receive their dues while allowing the insurance company to seek reimbursement from the vehicle owner due to policy violations.
The Incident
The fatal accident occurred on the morning of February 24, 2019, on the Kamsheth-Pawana Nagar Road. The deceased, Nandkumar Pandurang Dhobale, a resident of Wakad, was traveling to a road construction site near Kothume-Malwandi Dam.
According to court records, Nandkumar was standing in the trunk (rear portion) of a TATA Xenon vehicle along with several tar drums. As the vehicle negotiated a turn near Lokhandwadi Phata, the driver, Sadashiv Dhotre, drove in a rash and negligent manner. The resulting jerk caused Nandkumar to lose his balance and fall onto the road, where he sustained a fatal skull fracture and severe brain injuries. He was declared dead at Pawna Hospital.
Legal Proceedings and Findings
The claim was filed by Nandkumar’s wife, Sugalabai, his son, and two daughters. The opponents in the case were the vehicle owner, Kunal Sadashiv Dhotre, and TATA AIG General Insurance Co. Ltd.
The insurance company contested the claim, arguing that there was a fundamental breach of policy terms. They noted that the TATA Xenon was a ‘Private Car Package’ intended for personal use, yet it was being used to transport commercial goods (tar drums) and passengers in the trunk, which is not designed for human carriage.
While the Tribunal acknowledged the breach of insurance conditions, it held the driver’s negligence as the primary cause of death. Citing Supreme Court precedents, Judge Ragit ruled that the insurer must first pay the claimants and then recover the amount from the owner.
Compensation Breakdown
The Tribunal calculated the total compensation at ₹12,79,000, which includes:
Loss of Income: Approximately ₹10.89 lakh (based on a notional monthly income of ₹10,000 and future prospects).
Loss of Consortium: ₹1.60 lakh (₹40,000 each for the wife and three children).
Funeral Expenses & Loss of Estate: ₹30,000.
The court further ordered that the amount be paid with 7% interest per annum effective from the date of the claim’s registration (July 5, 2019).
Award Distribution
To ensure the financial security of the family, the court directed that:
₹3,00,000 be invested in a five-year Fixed Deposit for the widow, Sugalabai.
₹1,50,000 each be paid to the three children.
The remaining balance, including all accrued interest, be transferred to Sugalabai via NEFT/RTGS.
