Vehicle owner to pay compensation in minor-driven accident, rules Karnataka High Court
Bengaluru: In a recent ruling, the Karnataka High Court has determined that the owner of a vehicle, rather than the insurance company, must pay compensation if a minor is involved in causing an accident. This decision comes following a petition by the New India Assurance Company challenging a previous tribunal judgment.
Justice Hanchate Sanjeev Kumar, presiding over the single-bench, quashed the Motor Vehicle Accident Tribunal's decision that held the insurance company liable for compensating the claimants. The court also increased the compensation amount from Rs 2.56 lakh to Rs 4.44 lakh, with an interest rate of 6% per annum.
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The case stems from a tragic incident on December 12, 2008, when Hassan Shabbir was fatally injured by a two-wheeler driven by a minor on National Highway 17 (now National Highway 66) in Ranginakatta, Bhatkal. Initially, the tribunal had ruled on August 11, 2014, that the family of the deceased—Bibi Naisa and two others from Kundapur taluk, Udupi district—should receive Rs 2.56 lakh in compensation with an 8% annual interest.
The New India Assurance Company contested this ruling, arguing that since the accident was caused by a 16-year-old without a driving license, they were not responsible for compensating the victim's family. They presented the police charge-sheet, which confirmed that a minor, Abdul Hakeem Gawai, was riding the two-wheeler that struck Shabbir.
In its recent judgment, the High Court has placed the responsibility for compensation on Mohammed Mustafa, the vehicle's owner. The court justified increasing the compensation amount due to the victim’s age at the time of the accident (61 years) and the fact that he is survived by his wife and two children.
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Two men shot dead, one injured in firing incident in Punjab’s Batala
Chandigarh (PTI): Two persons were shot dead and one sustained injuries after unidentified persons opened fire at them in Punjab’s Batala late Monday night, police said.
The incident occurred in Bhoma village in Sri Hargobindpur subdivision.
Senior Superintendent of Police Batala, Mehtab Singh said some unidentified people opened fire at three persons who were on a walk.
The deceased were identified as Kashmir Singh and Jugraj Singh, according to the SSP. The injured, identified as another man named Jugraj Singh, has been admitted to a hospital.
Preliminary investigation revealed that there was no angle of extortion or any threat call in this incident, said the SSP.
Investigation in the matter is underway and CCTV footage in the area is being scanned, he said, adding that the culprits would soon be traced.
Police have initiated a thorough investigation and are making all efforts to identify and apprehend the accused at the earliest.
“Our teams are working on this case,” he said while replying to a question.
