High Court of KeralaSingle Judge2019-07-16Disposed of by common judgment; MACA appeals di...

MACA consolidated judgment: MACA Nos.1512 of 2011, 1651 of 2011, 2254 of 2011, 1162 of 2012, 377 of 2014, 1221 of 2015, 3070 of 2017, 905 of 2018 and 1878 of 2019

Case / Petition Number:MACA Nos.1512 of 2011; 1651 of 2011; 2254 of 2011; 1162 of 2012; 377 of 2014; 1221 of 2015; 3070 of 2017; 905 of 2018; 1878 of 2019

Case Details & Bench

Court: High Court of Kerala
Hon'ble Judges: P. B. Suresh Kumar
Judgment Date: 2019-07-16
Court Decision / Holding: Appeals disposed of by common judgment; all MACA appeals are dismissed and the tribunals’ orders dismissing the petitions are upheld.
Final Disposition: Disposed of by common judgment; MACA appeals dismissed

Parties to the Case

Appellants / Petitioners

THOMAS S/O.PAPPU MURIYAMKULAM
THRESSIA W/O THOMAS
MARY @ MINI W/O SEBASTIAN
SUJITHAMOL B., W/O LATE SANEESH K.S.
ANU SRUTHI (MINOR)
AISWARYA RANI S. (MINOR)
SIJO VARGHESE
VARGHESE P.A.
ANNAMMA VARGHESE
SOU MYA VARGHESE
KANAKAMMA
RATHEESH
BIJIMOL
DEVASAKTHI (MINOR)
BINoy KURIAN
BINcy KURIAN
THRESIAMMA
THAJUDEEN
SUHARA BEEVI
THASNEEM
SUMAYYA
PRAMEELA
AKASH G.P.PILLAI (MINOR)
ABHIJITH G.P.PILLAI (MINOR)

Respondents

MARTIN M.T
ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD
K.P. SUMATHI
MR. JOHN
THE NEW INDIA INSURANCE CO. LTD
C.A. VARGHESE
M/S UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO. LTD
SALI
ABDUL KAREEM B
THE MANAGER, ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD
SUMESH T.R
MOHAMMAD NASIR S/O BADARUDEEN
RATNAMMA
RATNAMMA (O DECEASED GIRIJAN)
THE MANAGER, THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD
P.B.SAJI
KANAKKAMMA
RATNAMMA (O DECEASED GIRIJAN)
MOHAMMED NASIR S/O BADARUDEEN
MR. JOHN
SUMESH T.R
THE NEW INDIA INSURANCE CO. LTD
K.P.SUMATHI
C.A. VARGHESE
THE MANAGER, ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD
RATNAMMA
MR. JOHN

Case Synopsis & Summary

This is a common judgment of the Kerala High Court (Ernakulam) delivered by Justice P. B. Suresh Kumar on 16 July 2019, disposing of nine Motor Accidents Claims Appeals (MACA) arising under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act from various Motor Accident Claims Tribunals. The appellants, who are legal representatives of accident victims, sought compensation under Section 163A. The High Court notes that in all cases the Tribunals had dismissed the petitions, holding that the legal representatives of the victims cannot claim compensation under the said provision. The court refers to Ningamma v. United India Insurance Co. Ltd. (2009) to reiterate that the victims, as the legal representatives, stand in the shoes of the vehicle owners and that the statutory liability to compensate under Section 163A rests with the owners. Consequently, the appeals are dismissed and the Tribunals’ orders are affirmed. The judgment clarifies the remedial scope of Section 163A, emphasizing that the provision is not available to the legal representatives of accident victims where the victims are not the owners themselves, aligning with the earlier authority cited. The disposal is by a single judge bench, with the common final order that all MACA appeals are to be dismissed.

Provisions of Law Cited

Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act

Submissions & Arguments

Contentions of Appellants / Petitioners

The appellants contended that Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act provides a path for compensation to dependants when the accident victim qualifies under the Act. They submitted that as legal representatives of the victims they are entitled to compensation under Section 163A and urged the tribunals to grant relief to the families, highlighting the remedial purpose of the provision and the need to acknowledge the dependence of the victims’ kin.

Contentions of Respondents

The respondents maintained that the liability to compensate under Section 163A is fastened on the vehicle owners and does not extend to legal representatives of the victims. They relied on established authority stating that victims or their legal representatives cannot claim under this provision, stressing that the object of Section 163A is to compensate the owner and not the heirs/representatives in the present factual matrix.

Cited Precedents (1)

Case Name	Citation	Treatment	Explanation
Ningamma and Another v. United India Insurance Company Ltd.	2009 KHC 5046	Positive	The High Court relies on Ningamma to hold that the victims, as legal representatives, stand in the shoes of the vehicle owners and cannot claim under Section 163A; the decisions of the Tribunals are therefore in order and the appeals are to be dismissed.

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Extracted Judgment Text

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## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.1512 of 2011** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 396/2005 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, NORTH PARAVUR DATED 22.07.2011** ## **APPELLANTS:** **1 THOMAS S/O.PAPPU MURIYAMKULAM HOUSE, CONVENT ROAD, MANJUMMAL P.O., PARUR TALUK, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT. 2 THRESSIA W/O. THOMAS -DO- -DO3 MARY @ MINI W/O. SEBASTIAN -DO- -DOBY ADVS. SRI.G.BALAMURALEEDHARAN (PARAVUR) SRI.N.T.NANDAKUMARAN (PARAVUR)** ## **RESPONDENTS:** **1 MARTIN.M.T S/O.THOMAS MURIYAMKULAM HOUSE, CONVENT ROAD, MANJUMMAL P.O. ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.PIN - 683501 2 ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD, BRANCH OFFICE, EBENZER GARDEN, EDAPPALLY HS JUNCTION, EDAPPALLY P.O., KOCHI-24,, ERNAKULAM DISTRICT.PIN - 682024** **BY ADV. SRI.A.R.GEORGE FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 2 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.1651 of 2011** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 1454/2007 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL,KOTTAYAM DATED 09-02-2010** ## **APPELLANTS IN MACA/PETITIONERS IN O.P(MV):** - **1 SUJITHAMOL.B., W/O LATE SANEESH K.S., KALLUVETTAMKUZHIYIL HOUSE, KAIPPUZHA.P.O., KOTTAYAM.** - **2 ANU SRUTHI.,(MINOR), D/O. LATE SANEESH.K.S, REPRESENTED BY MOTHER SUJITHA MOL.** - **3 AISWARYA RANI.S., (MINOR) D/O. LATE SANEESH.K.S., RPERESENTED BY MOTHER SUJITHA MOL.** **BY ADVS. SRI.A.P.SUBHASH SRI.M.M.ANSAR** ## **RESPONDENTS IN MACA/RESPONDENTS IN O.P (MV):** - **1 K.P.SUMATHI, KALLUVETTAMKUZHIYIL HOUSE, KAIPPUZHA.P.O., KOTTAYAM-686602.** - **2 THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, KOTTAYAM-686001.** **BY ADV. SRI.A.R.GEORGE FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 3 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** **MACA.No.2254 of 2011** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 1524/2004 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ALAPPUZHA DATED 31.01.2011** ## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS:** **1 VARGHESE.P.A., AGED 62 YEARS, S/O.LATE APHREM, POOCHAMOODU HOUSE, PUTHUKARY, MITHRAKARY P.O.,RAMANKARY, EDATHUA VILLAGE, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, KERALA STATE.** **2 ANNAMMA VARGHESE, AGED 52 YEARS,** **W/O.VARGHESE.P.A, RESIDING AT POOCHAMOODU HOUSE, PUTHUKARY, MITHRAKARY P.O.,RAMANKARY, EDATHUA VILLAGE, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,KERALA STATE.** **3 SOUMYA VARGHESE, AGED 26 YEARS,** **D/O.VARGHESE.P.A, RESIDING AT POOCHAMOODU HOUSE, PUTHUKARY, MITHRAKARY P.O.,RAMANKARY, EDATHUA VILLAGE, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT,KERALA STATE.** - **4 SIJO VARGHESE, AGED 25 YEARS, S/O.VARGHESE.P.A, RESIDING AT POOCHAMOODU HOUSE, PUTHUKARY, MITHRAKARY P.O.,RAMANKARY, EDATHUA VILLAGE, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, KERALA STATE.** **BY ADVS. SRI.A.T.ANILKUMAR SMT.V.SHYLAJA** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** **1 THOMAS.T., NIBU BHAVANAM, CHEKIDICKADU P.O., THAKAZHI** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 4 **PANCHAYATH,WARD-6, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.PIN-688001** **2 THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO. LTD, REPRESENTED BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER,CULLEN ROAD, MULLACKAL, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.PIN-688001** **3 MR.JOHN, NIBU BHAVAN, CHEKKIDIKKADU P.O., THAKAZHY,ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.PIN-688001** **BY ADVS. SRI.GEORGE CHERIAN (SR.) FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 5 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** **MACA.No.1162 of 2012** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 2719/2002 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL,THRISSUR DATED 31-05-2011** ## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS:** - **1 PENNAMMA, W/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE,P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **2 P.B.SANTHOSH, S/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE,P.O.CHOTTUPPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **3 P.B.SUJA, D/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE,P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **4 P.B.SATHEESH, S/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE, P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **5 P.B.SANEESH, S/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE, P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **6 P.B.SUMA, D/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE, P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT.** - **BY ADV. SRI.V.BINOY RAM** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** - **1 C.A. VARGHESE, S/O.C.V.ANTONY,CHITTILAPILLY HOUSE,P.O.PULLAZHY,OLARIKKARA,THRISSUR DISTRICT,PIN-680012.** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 6 - **2 M/S.UNITED INDIA INSURANCE CO.LTD., DIVISIONAL OFFICE,PARK HOUSE,ROUND NORTH,THRISSUR,PIN-680001.** **3 P.B.SAJI, S/O.LATE P.T.BABY,PALAKKAKUZHIYIL HOUSE,P.O.CHOTTUPARA,POOMALA,THRISSUR DISTRICT,PIN680581.** **BY ADV. SRI.MATHEWS JACOB (SR.) SRI.P.JACOB MATHEW FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 7 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.377 of 2014** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 1381/2007 of ADDITIONAL MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, ALAPPUZHA DATED 25-02-2013** ## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS:** - **1 BINOY KURIAN, AGED 22 YEARS, S/O. KURIAN, KANNATTUVELIKKAKATHU, WARD NO. XI, MANNANCHERRY PANCHAYATH, MANNACHERRY P.O., ALAPPUZHA.** - **2 BINCY KURIAN, AGED 18 YEARS, D/O. KURIAN, KANNATTUVELIKKAKATHU, WARD NO. XI, MANNANCHERRY PANCHAYATH, MANNACHERRY P.O., ALAPPUZHA.** - **3 THRESIAMMA, AGED 88 YEARS, W/O. CHACKO, PANDIYALACKAL, POOMTHOPPU WARD, ALAPPUZHA.** ## **BY ADV. SRI.B.PRAMOD** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** - **1 SALI, W/O. KURIAN, KANNATTUVELIKKAKATHU, WARD NO. XI, NORTH ARYAD P.O., MANNANCHERRY PANCHAYATH.** - **2 THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE CO. LTD. M.O.WARD, ALAPPUZHA-688001.** - **BY ADV. SRI.PMM.NAJEEB KHAN FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 8 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.1221 of 2015** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 1126/2003 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM DATED 26-07-2010** ## **APPELLANTs/PETITIONERS:** **1 THAJUDEEN, AGED 61, S/O SHAMSUDEEN, TC.46/464(A) (OLD), TC.63/527 (NEW), PALLATHU HOUSE, PALLI STREET, POONTHURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-26. 2 SUHARA BEEVI, AGED 53, W/O THAJUDEEN, TC.46/464(A) (OLD), TC.63/527 (NEW) , PALLATHU HOUSE, PALLI STREET, POONTHURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM- 26 3 THASNEEM, AGED 29, D/O THAJUDEEN, TC.46/464(A) (OLD), TC.63/527 (NEW) , PALLATHU HOUSE, PALLI STREET, POONTHURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 26 4 SUMAYYA, AGED 27, D/O THAJUDEEN, TC.46/464(A) (OLD), TC.63/527 (NEW) , PALLATHU HOUSE, PALLI STREET, POONTHURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM - 26 BY ADVS. SRI.NAGARAJ NARAYANAN SMT.J.KASTHURI SRI.BENOJ C AUGUSTINE SRI.PRATHAP PILLAI SRI.SAIJO HASSAN SRI.SEBIN THOMAS SRI.VISHNU BHUVANENDRAN SRI.VIVEK V. KANNANKERI** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 9 ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** - **1 MOHAMMED NASIR S/O. BADARUDEEN, SUNLIGHT COLONY, ASHRAM, DELHI.PIN-110001 PRESENTLY RESIDING AT THANSEERA MANZIL, TC.46/451, PALLITHERUVU POONTHURA P.O, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-26** - **2 MS. THE NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, DIVISIONAL OFFICE NO.1 KOTTARATHIL BUILDING ANNEXE, PALAYAM, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-33** **BY ADV. SRI.THOMAS MATHEW NELLIMOOTTIL** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.3070/17, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 10 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.3070 of 2017** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 211/2009 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL ALAPPUZHA DATED 13-03-2017** ## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS NO.2,3,5 AND 6 IN THE O.P(MV):** - **1 KANAKAMMA,** - **AGED 58 YEARS, W/O.BAHULEYAN, CHANIYIL, THURAVOOR SOUTH, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.** - **2 RATHEESH, AGED 33 YEARS, S/O.BAHULEYAN, CHANIYIL, THURAVOOR SOUTH,CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.** - **3 BIJIMOL, AGED 27 YEARS, W/O.LATE BALAKRISHNAN, CHANIYIL, THURAVOOR SOUTH, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT.** - **4 DEVASAKTHI (MINOR) AGED 5 YEARS, S/O.LATE BALAKRISHNAN, CHANIYIL,THURAVOOR SOUTH, CHERTHALA, ALAPPUZHA DISTRICT, REPRESENTED BY HIS MOTHER, 3RD PETITIONER HEREIN.** **BY ADV. SRI.R.KRISHNAKUMAR (CHERTHALA)** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS IN THE O.P(MV):** - **1 SUMESH T.R, S/O.RAMACHANDRAN, 22/1463, THOTTUVELIPPARAMBU, EDAKOCHI, KOCHI 682031** - **2 NEW INDIA ASSURANCE COMPANY LIMITED, REP BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER, KODAVATH SHOPPING COMPLEX, SUB JAIL ROAD, P.B.NO.108, ALUVA-683101.** **BY ADVS. SRI.JOY JOSEPH (MANAYATHU) SRI.A.A.ZIYAD RAHMAN FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019,ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.905/18 AND MACA.1878/19, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 11 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** ## **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** **MACA.No.905 of 2018** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 111/2015 of DISTRICT COURT & SESSIONS & MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL,KASARAGOD DATED 21-11-2017** ## **APPELLANTS/PETITIONERS:** - **1 BADAKEPURRAM IBRAHIM, S/O ABDUL RAHIMAN, R/AT KUNIYA, P.O.PANAYAL,PERIYA, HOSDURG TALUK, KASARAGOD DISTRICT.** - **2 JAMEELA, W/O IBRAHIM, R/AT KUNIYA, P.O.PANAYAL,PERIYA, HOSDURG TALUK, KASARAGOD DISTRICT. BY ADV. SRI.KODOTH SREEDHARAN** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS:** |**1**|**ABDUL KAREEM B.**| |---|---| ||**S/O.IBRAHIM, R/AT H.NO.5/102A, PULLUR,P.O.PERIYA,**| ||**MOHAMMEDALI MANZIL, KUNIYA,KASARAGOD DISTRICT -**| ||**671121.**| |**2**|**THE MANAGER,**| ||**ORIENTAL INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.,CITY POINT**| ||**BUILDING, PRESS CLUB JUNCTION, M.G.ROAD,KASARAGOD**| ||**DISTRICT - 671121.**| ||**BY ADV. SRI.A.R.GEORGE FOR R2**| **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019,ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17, AND MACA.1878/19, THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 12 ## **IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM** ## **PRESENT** **THE HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE P.B.SURESH KUMAR** **TUESDAY, THE 16TH DAY OF JULY 2019 / 25TH ASHADHA, 1941** ## **MACA.No.1878 of 2019** **AGAINST THE AWARD IN OPMV 568/2011 of MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS TRIBUNAL, NEYYATTINKARA DATED 09-11-2017** ## **APPELLANTS/APPLICANTS:** - **1 PRAMEELA, AGED 45, D/O.RETNAMMA,KADAKSHAM,OLATHANNI, NEYYATTINKARA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** - **2 AKASH.G.P.PILLAI(MINOR), REPRESENTED BY HIS MOTHER PRAMEELA, D/O.RETNAMMA,KADAKSHAM,OLATHANNI, NEYYATTINKARA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** - **3 ABHIJITH.G.P.PILLAI(MINOR), REPRESENTED BY HIS MOTHER PRAMEELA, D/O.RETNAMMA,KADAKSHAM,OLATHANNI, NEYYATTINKARA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** **BY ADVS. SRI.R.T.PRADEEP SRI.J.ROBINSON** ## **RESPONDENTS/RESPONDENTS & 4TH APPLICANT:** - **1 VIMALKUMAR R.S., S/O.SUKUMARA PILLAI,RAMASADANAM, 6/60,THERIVILA,VENPAKAL.P.O, ARALUMOODU,NEYYATTINKARA, THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** **2 THE MANAGER, THE ORIENTAL INSURANCE CO.LTD, PADMASREE,NR.KSRTC BUS STAND, NEYYATTINKARA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** **3 RATNAMMA,** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 13 **M/O.DECEASED GIRIJAN,KADAKSHAM, OLATHANNI,NEYYATTINKARA,THIRUVANANTHAPURAM-695121.** **BY ADV. SRI.R.AJITH KUMAR (128/84) SRI.K.S.SANTHI FOR R2** **THIS MOTOR ACCIDENT CLAIMS APPEAL HAVING BEEN FINALLY HEARD ON 16.07.2019, ALONG WITH MACA.1512/11, MACA.1651/11, MACA.2254/11, MACA.1162/12, MACA.377/14, MACA.1221/15, MACA.3070/17 AND MACA.905/18,THE COURT ON THE SAME DAY DELIVERED THE FOLLOWING:** M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 14 M.A.C.A Nos.1512, 1651 & 2254 of 2011 **,** 1162 of 2012, 377 of 2014 **,** 1221 of 2015 **,** 3070 of 2017 **,** 905 of 2018 and 1878 of 2019 -------------------------------------- ## **J U D G M E N T** These are appeals preferred by the claimants in proceedings instituted before the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal for compensation under Section 163A of the Motor Vehicles Act (the Act), challenging the decisions of the Tribunals in dismissing the claim petitions. The appeals are disposed of by this common judgment as the issue arising for consideration in the matters is common. 2. The claimants are the legal representatives of the victims of the accidents which are the subject matter of the proceedings. In all these cases, the victims were driving/riding the vehicles involved in the accidents and they are close relatives/friends of the owners of the vehicles. No other vehicle is directly or indirectly involved in the accidents. The question whether the legal representatives of such victims are entitled to compensation under Section 163A of the Act has been considered by the Apex Court in M.A.C.A Nos.1512 of 2011 & con. Cases 15 **Ningamma and Another v. United India Insurance Company Ltd.** [2009 KHC 5046]. It was held in the said case that such victims would step into the shoes of the owners of the vehicles and their legal representatives cannot claim compensation under the said provision, for, the liability to compensate under the provision is fastened in terms of the statute on the owners of the vehicles themselves. The decisions of the Tribunals in dismissing the claim petitions are, therefore, in order. The appeals, in the circumstances, are liable to be dismissed and I do so. **Sd/-** **P.B.SURESH KUMAR** Mn **JUDGE**