DINESH MAHESHWARI, J. - (1.) The application for substitution of legal representatives in the petition filed on behalf of the claimants is allowed; the named legal representative shall stand substituted in the both the petitions. Delay condoned in the petition filed on behalf of the claimants. 1.1. Leave granted in the both the petitions.
(2.) These cross-appeals relating to the vehicular accident compensation claims, respectively by the insurer of the offending vehicle and by the claimants, are directed against the common judgment and order dated 06.07.2018, as passed in FAO No. 1136 of 2000 (O and M) and connected matters, whereby the High Court of Punjab and Haryana has allowed the appeal for enhancement of compensation filed by the claimants and has modified the common award dated 27.01.2000 as made by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Chandigarh in MACT Case Nos. 80 of 1996 and 84 of 1996 that were filed respectively by the parents and by the wife and children of the deceased Shri Rajpal Singh Johal.
(3.) In the impugned judgment and order dated 06.07.2018, the High Court has made upward revision of the amount of compensation awarded by the Tribunal and, in place of the amount of Rs. 37,71,000/- together with interest @ 12% p.a. as awarded by the Tribunal, the High Court has awarded a sum of Rs. 48,00,000/- together with interest @ 7.5% p.a. from the date of filing of the claim petition till the date of realisation. The High Court has allowed this enhancement essentially with reference to the principles enunciated by this Court in National Insurance Company Ltd. v. Pranay Sethi and Ors., 2017 ACJ 2700 (SC) and in Sarla Verma and Ors. v. Delhi Transport Corporation and Anr, 2009 ACJ 1298 (SC).;