/2022 INSC 0815/
REPORTABLE
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
CIVIL APPEAL NO.  6365 OF 2022
Ramesh        ...Appellant(s)
Versus
Karan Singh & Anr.      …Respondent(s)
J U D G M E N T
M.R. SHAH, J.
1. The application for deleting the name of respondent No. 2
herein   is   allowed   at   the   risk   and   responsibility   of   the
appellant herein.
2. Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   impugned
judgment and order dated 16.07.2019 passed by the High
Court of Punjab  & Haryana at Chandigarh in  FAO No. 83
of   2002,   by   which,   the   High   Court   has   partly   allowed   the
said   appeal   preferred   by   the   appellant   herein   –   injured   –
claimant   and   has   enhanced   the   amount   of   compensation
to   Rs.   14,82,000/­   only,   the   original   claimant   has
preferred the present appeal.
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3. In a vehicular accident which occurred on 02.01.1997, the
appellant   –   original   claimant   sustained   multiple   injuries.
There was an amputation of right upper limb below elbow
at   upper   l/3 rd
  of   fore­arm.   During   the   prolonged
hospitalization,   the   injured   –   claimant   was   required   to
undergo   five   operations.   At   the   time   of   accident,   the
appellant   was   getting   USD   1000   as   a   salary   in   Merchant
Navy   where   he   was   employed   at   Belgium   excluding   free
food,   accommodation,   and   free   air   ticket.   The   appellant
approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (for  short
“Tribunal”)   claiming   Rs.   1,02,00,000/­   for   compensation
under   different   heads.   The   Tribunal   awarded   a   total   sum
of   Rs.   6,68,000/­   under   different   heads   including   the
expenses   covering   medicine,   treatment,   special   diet,   pain,
shock   and   suffering   and   future   loss   of   income.   While
awarding   future   economic   loss,   the   Tribunal   determined
and   considered   the   income   of   the   injured   at   Rs.   3,500/­
per month. In the appeal preferred by the claimant, by the
impugned   judgment   and   order   the   High   Court   has
enhanced   the   amount   of   compensation   from   Rs.
6,68,000/­   to   Rs.   14,82,000/­.   While   awarding   future
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economic  loss,   the  High   Court   has   though   considered   the
income   of   the   injured   at   Rs.   36,000/­   per   month   in
Merchant   Navy,   Belgium,   but   has   actually   considered   the
loss   of   income   at   50%   of   the   same   on   the   ground   that   in
Merchant Navy, usually the job is for six months in a year
and   that   as   per   the   medical   evidence,   the   injuries   have
resulted   in   70%   disability   qua   right   arm.   The   High   Court
has awarded Rs. 25,000/­ towards pain and suffering and
Rs.   10,000/­   for   special   diet   and   Rs.   5,000/­   for
transportation.   Thus,   the  High   Court   has   determined   and
awarded   a   total   sum   of   Rs.   14,82,000/­   towards
compensation   along   with   7.5%   per   annum   interest   from
the date of filing of claim petition till realization. 
3.1 Feeling   aggrieved   and   dissatisfied   with   the   judgment   and
order   passed   by   the   High   Court   in   determining   and
awarding only Rs. 14,82,000/­ towards compensation, the
original   claimant   –   injured   has   preferred   the   present
appeal. 
4. We have heard learned counsel appearing on behalf of the
respective parties at length. 
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5. By   the   impugned   judgment   and   order,   the   High   Court
while   awarding   the   future   economic   loss   has   considered
the loss of income at Rs. 18,000/­ per month. However, it
is   required   to   be   noted   that   the   appellant   was   serving   as
Merchant   Navy   and   his   salary   at   the   relevant   time   was
USD   1000.   His   right   hand   below   elbow   was   amputated
resulting  in 70% disability  qua right  arm. The High  Court
has   observed   that   the   claimant   can   still   earn   something.
However,   it   is   required   to   be   noted   that   the   claimant   will
not   be   able   to   do   any   work   in   Merchant   Navy.   The   High
Court also observed that in Merchant Navy, usually the job
is   for   six   months   in   a   year.   The   said   observation   is
absolutely without any basis. No evidence is led on behalf
of the respondents on the aforesaid. It cannot be said that
the claimant would do nothing for rest of six months. The
High   Court   has   also   not   considered   the   future   rise   in
income.   Under   the   circumstances   and   in   the   facts   and
circumstances   of   the   case,   the   High   Court   ought   to   have
awarded   the   future   economic   loss   considering   the   loss   of
income at least at Rs. 30,000/­ per month. Therefore, the
total loss comes to Rs. 57,60,000/­ (30000x12x16). 
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5.1 The   High   Court   has   awarded   Rs.   25,000/­   only   towards
pain,   shock,   and   suffering.   However,   it   is   required   to   be
noted that the right hand below elbow of the claimant was
amputated.   During   prolonged   hospitalization,   he   was
operated   five   times.   Looking   to   the   serious   injuries,   the
claimant was required to be shifted to Medical College and
Hospital   at   Rohtak   and   thereafter   to   Jaipur   Golden
Hospital,   New   Delhi,   where   he   was   remained   admitted
from 03.01.1997 to 21.01.1997. Therefore, considering the
five   operations,   prolonged   hospitalization,   and   suffering,
we   are   of   the   opinion   that   the   amount   of   Rs.   25,000/­
awarded by the High Court under the head of pain, shock,
and suffering can be said to be on a lower side. In the facts
and   circumstances   of   the   case,   narrated   hereinabove,   we
are of the opinion that the claimant shall be entitled to at
least   Rs.   4,00,000/­   towards   pain,   shock,   and   suffering.
The   impugned   judgment   and   order   passed   by   the   High
Court is to be modified accordingly.   
6. In view of the above and for the reasons stated above, the
present   appeal   succeeds   in   part.   The   impugned   judgment
and   order   passed   by   the   High   Court   is   modified   and   it   is
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ordered that the appellant herein – injured – claimant shall
be   entitled   to   a   total   sum   of   Rs.   62,35,000/­   with   7.5%
interest   per   annum   from   the   date   of   filing   of   the   claim
petition till realization. 
7. The   present   appeal   is   partly   allowed   to   the   aforesaid
extent.   The   enhanced   amount   of   compensation   is   to   be
deposited   by   the   respondents   with   the   learned   Tribunal
within   a   period   of   eight   weeks   from   today   and   on   such
deposit   the   same   be   paid   to   the   original   claimant   –
appellant herein by account payee cheque. No costs.  
………………………………….J.
[M.R. SHAH]
NEW DELHI; ………………………………….J.
SEPTEMBER 16, 2022 [KRISHNA MURARI]
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