THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO LTDversusCHIRAGBHAI PARSOTTAMBHAI PATANI
- Disposal
- 39-RULE DISCHARGED/DISMISSED @ FH
- Bench
- MOOL CHAND TYAGI
Holding
The appeals are dismissed because the compensation amount involved is less than Rs.1,00,000, without expressing any opinion on the merits.
Summary
The Oriental Insurance Co Ltd appealed under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 against a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal award, arguing that the compensation amount was less than Rs.1,00,000. The Court noted the small quantum of the award and, after hearing counsel, dismissed the appeals solely on the basis of the amount involved, without addressing the merits or legal questions raised. The Court clarified that the dismissal was only due to the smallness of the compensation and left the merits open for future appropriate appeal. It ordered the tribunal records and any deposited amounts to be transmitted to the appropriate court, with the award to be released to the claimants after verification. No costs were awarded.
Issues considered
- Whether an appeal under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 can be dismissed solely on the ground that the compensation amount is less than Rs.1,00,000.
- Whether the compensation awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal is just and reasonable.
Legislation cited
- Motor Vehicles Act, 1988s. 173
Subjects
Judgment
C/FA/1647/2021 ORDER DATED: 07/02/2023
IN THE HIGH COURT OF GUJARAT AT AHMEDABAD
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 1647 of 2021
With
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 1640 of 2021
With
R/FIRST APPEAL NO. 1644 of 2021
==========================================================
THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO LTD
Versus
CHIRAGBHAI PARSOTTAMBHAI PATANI
==========================================================
Appearance:
MR RATHIN P RAVAL(5013) for the Appellant(s) No. 1
MR MOHSIN M HAKIM(5396) for the Defendant(s) No. 1
RULE SERVED for the Defendant(s) No. 2,3
==========================================================
CORAM:HONOURABLE THE CHIEF JUSTICE MR. JUSTICE
ARAVIND KUMAR
Date : 07/02/2023
ORAL ORDER
1. These appeals have been filed by the insurer under
Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 challenging the
judgment and award passed by the Motor Accident Claims
Tribunal.
2. At the outset, it deserves to be noted that challenge
made by the insurer in these appeals is less than Rs.1,00,000/-
or restricted to less than Rs.1,00,000/-.
Page 1 of 3
C/FA/1647/2021 ORDER DATED: 07/02/2023
3. I have heard the learned advocates appearing for the
parties. Learned advocate appearing for the respective
appellant - Insurer fairly submitted that in view of the amount
involved in these appeals has been less than Rs.1,00,000/-, these
appeals may be disposed of in accordance with law.
4. On perusal of the grounds urged in the appeals
memorandum and in view of the submission that amount
involved in these appeals is less than Rs. 1,00,000/- and having
regard to the smallness of the amount, this Court is of the
considered view that appeals deserve to be dismissed and
accordingly they are dismissed. The compensation awarded
seems just and reasonable and no interference is called for. It is
clarified, these appeals are disposed of only on the ground of
smallness of the compensation amount without expressing any
opinion on merits and question of law raised in the appeals is
kept open to be urged in appropriate appeal by the insurer. This
order would not come in the way of adjudication of any other
appeal pending against the same judgment and award or
adjudication of any other claim petition arising out of same
Page 2 of 3
C/FA/1647/2021 ORDER DATED: 07/02/2023
accident. Pending civil application/s, if any, stands disposed of
as having become infructuous. No order as to costs.
5. Record & Proceedings of the Tribunal and amount, if
any deposited in these appeals, are ordered to be transmitted by
the Registry of this Court to the jurisdictional court or Tribunal
forthwith along with accrued interest if any. The entire award
amount be disbursed and released in favour of claimant/s after
due verification by transferring said amount/s to the account/s
of claimant/s by RTGS or NEFT.
(ARAVIND KUMAR,CJ)
AMAR SINGH
Page 3 of 3
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