Bengaluru: When the claimant himself violates the mandate of law by riding the motorcycle under the influence of alcohol and files a claim petition, the established principle of liberal interpretation of a benevolent enactment like the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be stretched to cover such cases.
The Karnataka High Court has made this observation in an order passed on September 1 while reducing the compensation amount by 30% in relation to an eight years old accident case wherein the rider was found riding the vehicle under the influence of alcohol. When such instances are noticed by the Court, the same is to be viewed and handled strictly,the judge further added while directing the National Insurance Company Limited to deposit 70% of the compensation awarded by the Tribunal with applicable interest. In the era of increasing human population, vehicle population, and road congestion, vehicle users should exhibit obedience to the law and concern for fellow road users.
If liberal interpretation ( of MV Act) is extended to a person who comes before the Tribunal claiming compensation after violating the law , it would add a premium to the violation and would result in the breakdown of the road discipline, maintenance of law and order.