In a significant ruling, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Mumbai has directed the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to pay a compensation of approximately Rs 2.21 crore to the grieving family of a young engineer who lost his life in a tragic road accident. The incident underscores the grave consequences of negligent driving on Indian roads.
A Routine Errand Turns Tragic
The fateful event occurred on December 21, 2023, on a winter morning. Aniket Dabholkar, a 30-year-old junior engineer with Konkan Railways and a father to a one-year-old boy, had accompanied his father to a local market in Mumbai to buy vegetables. While his father was shopping, Aniket was standing next to his parked scooter by the side of the road.
In a horrifying turn of events, a state-owned MSRTC bus, operating at high speed, veered off its lane and entered the road's margin. The bus struck Aniket Dabholkar, causing severe head injuries that proved fatal. What began as a simple daily chore ended in an irreversible loss for the family.
Legal Proceedings and Tribunal's Verdict on Negligence
The bereaved family approached the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal on January 20, 2024, seeking justice. During the hearings, the MSRTC attempted to deflect blame by arguing that the victim had suddenly stepped into the path of the bus. However, the tribunal firmly rejected this defense.
Relying on police reports and evidence presented, the MACT concluded that the scooter was stationary and the accident was solely due to the bus driver's actions. The tribunal's verdict stated clearly that "the driver of the offending bus drove the vehicle at a high speed and recklessly", leading to the death of a person who was standing still. It affirmed that the claimants had successfully "proved negligence on the part of the accused driver."
Breakdown of the Rs 2.21 Crore Compensation Award
In calculating the compensation, the tribunal considered Dabholkar's promising future, his monthly salary of around Rs 84,000, and the immense emotional loss suffered by his family. The total principal amount awarded is Rs 1.95 crore, which encompasses several components:
- Loss of future income and dependency for the family.
- Funeral expenses.
- Consortium for the emotional suffering and loss of care for his 24-year-old widow, infant son, and elderly parents.
The final compensation of Rs 2.21 crore includes 7% annual interest from the date of the claim application. The tribunal has mandated that the MSRTC must deposit the amount within 30 days. It further specified the allocation: Rs 95 lakh each to the wife and the young son, with the remaining sum to be shared between the parents.
This ruling serves as a stark reminder of the accountability of public transport operators and the value of a life cut short by negligence. It brings a measure of financial security to a family devastated by an unimaginable loss.
