DIPANKAR DATTA, J. - (1.) This appeal under Section 173 of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereafter the Act) registers a challenge to an award dated March 25, 2003 passed by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, Krishnagar, Nadia in M.A.C. Case No.504 of 1996. By the said award, the tribunal granted lump sum compensation of L1,75,000/- to the claimants on account of death of Ashoke Moitra (hereafter the victim), to be paid on or before May 31, 2003 after deduction of L50,000/- already received by them, failing which the said sum would carry interest @ 9% per annum from June 1, 2003 till realization.
(2.) The case pleaded in the claim petition, filed under Section 166 of the Act, by the widow, son, two unmarried daughters and mother of the victim is that, the victim (52 years old) while travelling in a bus bearing No.WGE-1240 (hereafter the said bus) on September 18, 1996 fell down therefrom in front of Krishnagar Railway Station and met his tragic end by succumbing to his injuries on November 5, 1996 at Saktinagar Hospital where he was shifted after the accident. The victim was employed as driver, Grade-I in the Directorate of Dairy Development, Calcutta and he had an income of L7,190/- per month. The claimants accordingly claimed L6,50,000/- as compensation.
(3.) It is noted that during the pendency of the claim petition, the mother of the victim breathed her last on February 7, 1998.;