NWKRTC bus seized by Court for failing to pay ₹34 Lakh compensation to accident victim's family
Kalaburagi: A bus belonging to the North-Western Karnataka Road Transport Corporation (NWKRTC) was seized by a local court in Kalaburagi for failing to pay ₹34 lakh in compensation to the family of a road accident victim. The seizure follows a court order from the Afzalpur JMFC court, which had directed NWKRTC to compensate the family of Sharanabasu Vadangeri, who lost his life in a bus accident.
In 2021, Vadangeri, a 34-year-old resident of Chowdapur village, was fatally struck by an NWKRTC bus while it was leaving the Chikodi bus station. The court found that the bus driver's negligent and reckless driving was the primary cause of the accident and held NWKRTC responsible for Vadangeri's death.
Despite the court's ruling, NWKRTC challenged the verdict, arguing that Vadangeri was at fault. However, the court rejected this claim and reaffirmed its decision, ordering NWKRTC to pay ₹34 lakh in compensation to Vadangeri's family, along with 8% annual interest. The court gave NWKRTC a 60-day window to comply with the ruling.
NWKRTC's failure to comply with the court's order led to further legal action. On Saturday, court officials executed the court's directive by seizing a bus from the Afzalpur bus terminal, estimated to be worth ₹40 lakh. The seized bus was subsequently parked on the court premises.
The court is expected to auction the bus, with the proceeds likely to be given to Vadangeri's family as compensation for their loss.
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SC upholds inclusion of ‘secular, socialist’ in Preamble of Constitution
New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday upheld the inclusion of the words ‘socialist’ and ‘secular’ in the Preamble of the Constitution, confirming their retrospective application from November 26, 1949. The court ruled that the power to amend the Constitution under Article 368 extends to the Preamble, which is an integral part of the document.
A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna stated, “The power under Article 368 cannot be curtailed. It will equally apply to the Preamble.” The 42nd Constitutional Amendment, which introduced these terms in 1976 during the Emergency, was challenged on grounds of its retrospective application and the lack of states’ ratification.
The petitioners, including BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, argued that the amendment forced a particular economic theory on the nation and violated the original intent of the Constitution. Advocate Ashwini Kumar Upadhyay contended that the Preamble reflects the will of the people at the time of adoption in 1949 and is therefore unalterable.
The court dismissed these objections, affirming that both socialism and secularism are part of the Constitution's Basic Structure. The Bench clarified that socialism refers to a welfare state ensuring equality of opportunity without negating private sector participation or individualism. It emphasised that secularism is embedded in the Constitution, particularly in the principles of equality and fraternity.
Chief Justice Khanna remarked, “Secularism has always been a core feature of the Constitution.” He added that the amendment did not impose socialism as dogma but aligned with the welfare goals enshrined in various constitutional provisions.
