Mumbai MACT Awards ₹13.35 Crore To Families Of 2 HUL Employees

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Mumbai, has awarded a total compensation of ₹13.35 crore to the families of two Hindustan Unilever Limited (HUL) employees who died in a road accident in 2018. The accident occurred when their car was hit by a tanker driven at an excessive speed. The driver was allegedly driving rashly and negligently and had crossed over to the wrong side of the road.

The tribunal, presided over by Member Shashikant Eknathrao Bangar, directed the insurance company to pay the entire compensation amount along with 7.5 per cent interest per annum from the date of filing of the respective claims in 2018. The tribunal rejected the insurance company's plea seeking exclusion of a period from the calculation of interest on the ground that the applicants had delayed the examination of witnesses after the issues were framed.

The first case was filed by Kolhapur-based 40-year-old Gayatri Barve, who lost her 43-year-old husband, Girish Barve, in the accident in 2018. According to her petition, her husband was highly qualified and professionally successful and was employed with Hindustan Unilever Limited. His income for the financial year 2017-18 was stated to be ₹94,70,610.

The second case was filed by Borivali-based 44-year-old Sonali Wadalkar, who lost her 45-year-old husband, Rakesh Wadalkar, in the same accident. According to the petition, the deceased was earning ₹42,26,672 per annum. The tribunal awarded ₹8,92,74,480 to Gayatri Barve and ₹4,42,96,600 to Sonali Wadalkar.

The accident was so severe that the deceased suffered a head-on impact, resulting in their deaths. The tanker driver was named in the case and was allegedly driving rashly and negligently. The tribunal's order stated that the insurer's plea seeking exclusion of a period from the calculation of interest was rejected as there was no specific judicial order depriving the claimants of interest or proof of deliberate abuse.

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) is a statutory body that provides compensation to victims of road accidents. The tribunal's orders are binding on the insurance companies, and they are required to pay the compensation amount along with interest.

The award of compensation to the families of the two HUL employees is a significant relief to them. The amount will help them to cope with the loss of their loved ones and to rebuild their lives. The tribunal's order also sends a strong message to drivers who drive rashly and negligently, causing harm to others.

In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of road accidents in Mumbai, resulting in loss of lives and injuries. The Mumbai MACT has been playing a crucial role in providing compensation to the victims of these accidents. The tribunal's orders have helped to bring relief to the families of the victims and to hold the responsible parties accountable.

The award of ₹13.35 crore to the families of the two HUL employees is one of the highest compensation awards made by the Mumbai MACT in recent years. It highlights the importance of driving safely and responsibly, and the need for insurance companies to provide adequate compensation to the victims of road accidents.

In conclusion, the Mumbai MACT's award of ₹13.35 crore to the families of the two HUL employees is a significant development. It provides relief to the families of the victims and sends a strong message to drivers who drive rashly and negligently. The tribunal's orders have helped to bring accountability and justice to the victims of road accidents in Mumbai.