The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has ordered the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) to pay Rs 14.8 lakh in compensation to a tempo driver. This decision follows an incident in 2015, when an ST bus collided with the driver’s vehicle, resulting in permanent functional disability for the driver. The compensation will also accrue an annual interest of 9%.
The accident occurred on Dec 26, 2015, on the Wada-Bhiwandi Road near Angaon Toll Naka, according to the petition. The tribunal therefore held that the accident occurred due to the sole negligence of the ST bus driver. The claimant was travelling in his tempo to unload goods and had stopped the vehicle by the side of the road to adjust the goods when an ST bus, allegedly being driven at high speed and negligently, hit the tempo from behind. MSRTC disputed the claim, arguing that the tempo was standing in the middle of the road and that the claimant was equally responsible for the accident. However, the tribunal rejected the defence, noting that statements recorded by police indicated that the tempo was standing by the side of the road.
The impact left the claimant seriously injured, while his co-traveller died on the spot. The injured man was taken to Late Kashinath Patil Hospital in Bhiwandi. Police subsequently registered a case against the ST bus driver and filed a charge sheet.