Delhi Tribunal Awards ₹32.74 Lakh to Kin of Biker Killed in Sonia Vihar
A Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded over ₹32.74 lakh in compensation to the family of a 49-year-old man who was killed after a speeding truck hit his motorcycle in Sonia Vihar in 2023. Presiding Officer Manish Sharma directed SBI General Insurance Company to pay the compensation along with 9 per cent annual interest to the victim's family.
The order, issued on August 5, came on a claim petition filed by the relatives of the deceased, Mukesh Kumar. The tribunal held the driver of the offending Tata truck guilty of gross neglect and default in driving the vehicle, which resulted in Kumar's death.
According to the tribunal's findings, Kumar was returning home on his motorcycle on the night of January 19, 2023, when the truck struck him from behind in Sonia Vihar. He suffered grievous injuries in the crash and was declared brought dead after being taken to GTB Hospital.
The claim petition was submitted by Kumar's wife, two sons, two daughters, and his mother. The family submitted that Kumar operated a small hotel business and earned approximately ₹45,000 per month.
During the proceedings, the truck driver and the vehicle owner denied negligence and disputed the involvement of the vehicle in the crash. The insurer argued that the victim was under the influence of alcohol at the time and was responsible for the accident.
The tribunal rejected those defences, relying instead on the testimony of an eyewitness to establish that the collision occurred due to the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver. The presiding officer noted that the respondents failed to rebut the eyewitness account or produce evidence to support their claims, and that the driver failed to explain how the truck hit the motorcycle.
Because the family did not submit documentary proof of Kumar's earnings, the tribunal assessed his income using the minimum wages applicable to a skilled worker in Delhi, calculating the total award at ₹32.74 lakh. The insurer was directed to deposit the full amount within 30 days.
