Thane: Kin of road accident victim granted Rs 30.25 lakh as compensation

Thane: The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded Rs 30.25 lakh compensation to the widow and children of a construction firm’s managing director who died in a road accident in 2009.

Vashi-based ESSDEE Foundations and Constructions Pvt Ltd, where the deceased Shekar Shetty (60) worked as MD, and the National Insurance Company were jointly and severally liable to pay Rs 30.25 lakh to the claimants, MACT Chairman and Principal District Judge R R Gandhi observed in a recent order.

On October 26, 2009, Shetty, who lived in Navi Mumbai’s Vashi area, was going to Kolhapur in a company vehicle when its driver lost control over the wheels near Satara. As a result, the car overturned.

Shetty sustained serious injuries in the accident and died the next day at a hospital in Karad, claimants’ advocate SS Shetty told the tribunal. The deceased’s wife Yashodha (53), daughter Supreet (19) and son Sumeet (17) later filed a claim against the construction firm and the insurance company.

The claimants told the tribunal that the accident took place as the vehicle was driven in a rash and negligent manner by the driver and therefore, the company and the insurer were liable to pay the compensation.

Shetty was the MD of the company and earned Rs 8 lakh per annum. Due to his sudden death, they were deprived of the source of income, maintenance, support and services, the claimants informed the tribunal.

Relying on earlier rulings in similar cases, the MACT ordered the company and the insurance firm to pay the compensation to the family of the deceased.

PTI