Thane: Rs 87 lakh for kin of biker killed in truck mishap

THANE: The Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has ordered a compensation of nearly Rs 87 lakh to the kin of a man killed in a truck accident in 2015.
The family of Madan Bhagat, including his wife, two minor daughters and mother-in-law, moved the tribunal and pleaded that the untimely death of the sole-earning member had cast a shadow of gloom and sought compensation.
The legal team representing the family told the tribunal that he worked with Maharashtra State Electricity Transmission Co and was drawing Rs 45,000 a month, and all applicants were legal heirs and dependants.
They stated that on August 5, 2015, the deceased was riding a motorcycle towards Thane via Mumbra bypass bridge, Retibandar road. A speeding truck dashed the motorcycle and three other vehicles. Madan and another person died on the spot, while four others were injured. An offence was registered with Mumbra police and a chargesheet was filed against the accused.
As the truck owner did not appear, the case was decided ex parte, while the insurance firm appeared and contested the case. MACT member and district judge R S Bhosale noted that while the insurance firm contended that it was not liable to pay as the truck did not have a fitness certificate at the time of the accident, it had to pay the money to the petitioners and recover it from the truck owner. It directed National Insurance Co to disburse the amount to the victim’s kin with an annual interest of 7.5%.
The tribunal allowed 50% additional amount of the salary for future prospects while working out the compensation payable, which includes Rs 86.09 lakh towards compensation, Rs 15,000 towards loss of estate, Rs 15,000 towards funeral expenses and Rs 40,000 towards loss of consortium.