2014 Road Accident: MACT Grants Over Rs 48 Lakh to Families of Two Cousins

Road Accident

The Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded over Rs 48 lakh in compensation to the families of 2 cousins who tragically died in a road accident in December 2014.

Shyam Gopal Farde (40) and Gurunath Govind Farde (26), both from Farde Pada in Shahapur, lost their lives when their scooter was hit by a vehicle in Shelavli village on December 5, 2014. The MACT, in an order dated August 9, directed the vehicle’s owner and New India Assurance Company to compensate the victims’ families. Shyam Farde’s family was awarded Rs 32,29,000, while Gurunath Farde’s family received Rs 16,00,000.

The tribunal also ruled that both families are entitled to interest at 7.50% per annum from the date of filing the claim, excluding the compensation awarded for future prospects. MACT Chairman SB Agrawal dismissed the insurance company’s objections, calling them “palpably frivolous.” The vehicle owner did not appear in court, leading to an ex-parte decision against him, while the insurance company, represented by advocate AK Tiwari, contested the claim on several grounds.

Advocate MA Pendse, representing the petitioners, argued that the accident was caused by the driver’s negligent and high-speed driving. The MACT chairman held the respondents liable and ordered them to pay the compensation, rejecting the insurance company’s attempts to avoid responsibility as unfounded and without merit.