Thane tribunal awards Rs 25.71 lakh compensation to kin of man killed in road accident in 2019

Thane, Jul 15 (PTI) The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Maharashtra's Thane has awarded a compensation of Rs 25.71 lakh to the family of a 28-year-old man who died after being run over by a speeding tanker seven years ago. In its order on Tuesday, the tribunal pulled up the police for failing to investigate the case properly, noting that “Government of Maharashtra” was written on the offending vehicle's bonnet. According to the order, Ganesh Dhula Patidar, who ran a tea stall in the Bhiwandi area of Thane district, died while being taken to the hospital on February 12, 2019, after being hit by a speeding tanker. Later, his family filed a claim seeking compensation. The insurance company contested the claim, arguing that Patidar was mentally unstable and committed suicide by stepping in front of the vehicle. However, the tribunal dismissed the claim. The judge said, “There is absolutely no evidence on record to show that the deceased was under tension and under said tension he committed suicide.” MACT Member R V Mohite also slammed the local Bhoiwada police for recording a “vague statement” from the victim’s grieving brother and failing to register an FIR. “Suspicions arise on the conduct of police for not carrying out the investigation only because on the bonnet of the tanker involved in the accident, ‘Government of Maharashtra’ was written,” the tribunal said. The tribunal held the tanker owner and the insurer jointly and severally liable to pay the compensation of Rs 25,71,900 with 9 per cent interest per annum from the date of the petition. Advocate P M Tillu represented the claimants, while advocate S S Bhalerao appeared for the tanker owner. Advocate K P Saundattikar represented the insurer. PTI COR NR