- (1.) The short question in this appeal is whether the learned Tribunal should have denied the claimant appellant pendente lite interest and awarded interest only in case of default.
(2.) Section 171 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 provides that where the Tribunal allows a claim application under the said Act, the Tribunal might direct that, in addition to compensation, simple interest should be paid at such rate and from such date not earlier than the date of making the claim application, as the Tribunal might specify.
(3.) It is true that the Tribunal has absolute discretion to determine the rate of interest, and also the date from which such interest would be payable. Interest cannot, however, be granted from any date prior to the date on which the claim application had been filed.;