(1.) THE accident giving rise to this appeal occurred on October 21, 1973, at about 4-30 p.m. in village Bhumain, Tehsil Nalagarh, District Solan. The husband of the first appellant and the father of the rest of the appellants, aged about 32 at the material time, died as a result of the injuries received by him in the course of the said accident.
(2.) THE vehicle involved in the accident, truck No. HPB 154, was owned by the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (first respondent). It was being driven at the material time by the second respondent, an employee of the first respondent.
(3.) THE finding on the issue of negligence has become final since a cross-appeal, namely, FAO (MVA) No. 6 of 1977, preferred by the State was summarily dismissed on March 7,1977 and, consequently, the cross-objections filed in the present appeal were also dismissed as not maintainable by an order passed on August 20, 1987.