Adult children too entitled to compensation for "loss of consortium" in fatal accidents: K'taka HC
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka High Court has held that not just the spouse but also adult children who are legal heirs of a deceased individual are entitled to compensation under the category "loss of consortium".
This form of compensation accounts for the emotional and familial void left behind after a person's untimely death, the HC said
Justice C M Joshi, who presided over the case, declared that the wife and two adult sons of a man named Subhash, who died in a road accident, are each entitled to Rs 52,000 under the "loss of consortium category", bringing the total to Rs 1.56 lakh.
Subhash, a resident of Kalaburagi, lost his life on April 7, 2019, after a vehicle collided with his motorcycle while he was returning home from a temple visit with his grandson.
Initially, on March 18, 2021, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal in Kalaburagi had awarded a compensation of Rs 10.30 lakh.
While Subhash's wife received compensation for loss of dependency, the claims made by their two sons were dismissed on the grounds that they were financially independent and therefore not considered dependents.
Challenging the tribunal's verdict, the family approached the High Court, arguing that the compensation was inadequate and that Subhash's actual monthly income of Rs 15,000 had not been accurately factored into the decision.
Justice Joshi cited the Supreme Court's ruling in N Jayasree vs Cholamandalam MS General Insurance Co. Ltd, which affirms that every legal heir who suffers due to the loss of a family member in a motor accident has the right to seek compensation. He also referred to the Seema Rani vs Oriental Insurance Co. Ltd case, in which even married daughters were recognised as dependents under the Motor Vehicles Act.
Based on these precedents, the court determined that the two sons were rightful claimants.
Justice Joshi also questioned the tribunal's decision to deduct 50 per cent of Subhash's income as personal expenses.
"A 54-year-old man with a wife and two children is likely to contribute more towards his family than himself. In the Indian context, such a deduction is unrealistic," he observed.
The court revised the personal expense deduction to one-third of the income.
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Karnataka, France explore deeper ties in AI, aerospace, defence manufacturing
Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government and France on Tuesday discussed expanding collaboration to strengthen technology infrastructure and development, artificial intelligence, and defence manufacturing.
Karnataka Information Technology and Biotechnology Minister Priyank Kharge met Anne Le Hénaff, Minister Delegate for Artificial Intelligence and Digital Affairs, Government of France, in Bengaluru.
The meeting focused on expanding collaboration in innovation, skilling, AI, aerospace and defence manufacturing, startup ecosystems and digital governance, with both sides expressing strong interest in building long-term, structured partnerships between Karnataka and France, according to a statement issued by Kharge’s office.
France highlighted its growing need for skilled engineers and technology professionals and expressed interest in partnering with Karnataka on structured talent development and skilling in emerging technologies, the statement said.
“The discussions built on the strong foundation of Indo-French collaboration in areas such as aerospace, animation and emerging technologies, including earlier engagements through Centres of Excellence, academic partnerships and startup exchange programmes,” it said.
The two sides also reviewed ongoing engagement with French innovation ecosystems and institutions, including incubation and innovation platforms in Paris.
Kharge outlined Karnataka’s vision to create dedicated innovation, skills and manufacturing corridors with global partners, particularly in the context of the Indo-French Year of Innovation.
He highlighted the state’s proposal to strengthen engagement through the Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) and to establish a physical institutional platform in Karnataka to support French startups, SMEs and MSMEs seeking market access, R&D collaboration and a long-term presence in India.
“A couple of areas where we can move quickly and decisively are skills, innovation and advanced manufacturing. We can work towards a skills corridor focused on emerging technologies, an innovation corridor linking our Centres of Excellence, incubators and research institutions, and a stronger partnership in aerospace and defence supply chains,” Kharge said.
“Bengaluru can be a gateway for French companies entering India, and Paris can be a gateway for our startups entering France and the European Union,” he added.
Hénaff said France’s approach to AI is guided by three priorities: building sustainable AI, ensuring AI serves the public interest, and strengthening the protection of children in the digital world.
“As we deepen our cooperation with Karnataka, we see strong opportunities to work together on responsible, trustworthy and inclusive AI by combining innovation, regulation and public policy to ensure technology benefits society while safeguarding our values,” she said.
