Five years after an oil tanker killed an IT company executive on NH8 near Gurgaon, a Delhi court awarded an exemplary compensation of Rs. 1.15 crore to his family.
 
But the insurance company, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, which has been asked to pay up, is likely to challenge the verdict.
 
Ram Bishun Ram, 37, was on his way to work when he met with the fatal accident on November 20, 2007.

Ram’s wife had approached the tribunal on April 16, 2008, claiming a compensation of Rs. 1.75 crore. The insurance company’s counsel argued that the victim had tried to overtake the tanker. But the judge rubbished this.

Ram was the sole bread-winner of his family of six — wife, three children and parents — and his death had plunged the family into a financial crisis, judge Vineeta Goyal of the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) said.

The judge directed Bajaj Allianz to deposit the compensation cheque within 40 days.

“With this money, I will be able to give the best education to my children and also pay for the healthcare of my in-laws,” said the victim’s wife, who did not want to be named. 

Counsel for the victim’s family Brijesh Chaudhry and Dhruv Wahi said the family’s financial circumstances and a legal formula, usually based on the victim’s age and earning potential, helped decide the compensation amount. Such high compensations are not usual.