2017 road accident: Thane tribunal orders tempo owner to pay compensation to kin of deceased biker

THANE: The Thane Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) directed the owner of a commercial tempo to pay Rs 6.5 lakh as compensation to the parents of a 20-year-old motorcyclist who died in a 2017 road accident. The insurance company was absolved of any liability due to a critical lapse in policy timing.
The fatal crash occurred around 8.15am on January 19, 2017, near a village on the Nagar-Murbad road. However, the insurance premium for the tempo was paid only at 3.36pm the same day, with the policy coverage beginning late on January 21 at 11:45 PM. Citing this timing gap, the tribunal ruled that the vehicle was uninsured at the time of the accident, making the tempo owner solely liable.
This timing discrepancy proved decisive in the court's determination of liability. According to the tribunal's judgment, "The offending vehicle was not insured at the relevant date and time of accident," placing the full financial responsibility on the vehicle owner rather than the insurance company.
The tribunal awarded Rs5.4 lakh for loss of future dependency, Rs 15,000 for loss of estate, Rs 15,000 for funeral expenses, and ₹80,000 under filial consortium. Interest at 8% per annum will apply from the date of petition filing until final payment.
Each parent will receive Rs 1 lakh immediately, while Rs 2.25 lakh will be placed in five-year fixed deposits in their names. The judgment concluded an eight-year legal battle.