A four-wheeler owner has been directed by the district motor accident claims tribunal to pay Rs. 36 lakh as compensation to kin of a police constable, who lost his life after being hit by the vehicle in 2008, while the insurance company was absolved of liability.
District Judge and Tribunal member K D Vadane in a recent order directed Santosh Mardhekar to pay Rs. 36 lakh compensation to the family of Nandkumar Thakur (52).
The tribunal rejected the claim submitted by the family of Thakur and discharged Reliance General Insurance Company Ltd of its liability to pay the sum, relying on the company’s submission that the policy was fake.
According to counsel of claimants, Thakur worked as a head constable and drew a salary of Rs. 35,823 per month.
On March 22, 2013, Thakur was hit by a speeding four- wheeler on the Mankurd-Ghatkopar Link road while he was walking. He sustained serious wounds in the accident and succumbed during treatment on April 3.
The counsel told the tribunal that it was due to the rash and sole negligence of the driver (of four-wheeler) that the mishap occurred. An offence was registered with the Deonar police station.
They stated that Thakur’s family incurred an expense of Rs 13 lakh on his treatment.
Appearing on behalf of the insurance company, counsel V K Pujari contested and challenged the allegation of rash driving by the driver and that authenticity of the policy.
The respondent counsel said that the policy, taken by the vehicle owner, was fake and was not issued by the insurance company. Hence, it was not responsible to pay any compensation.
Pujari also stated that they do not have any branch office in Chembur as stated by the claimants.
