S.S. Sodhi, J. - (1.) ON December 14, 1975 Karam Singh, lance corporal clerk of the Punjab Home Guard was involved in an accident with the truck HRR 6325 at the bus stand Muktsar. It was as a result of the injuries received by him in this accident that he died later that day on being removed to the hospital. The Tribunal, holding that the accident had been caused due to the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver, awarded a sum of Rs. 5,000/ - as compensation to his mother Mrs. Chanan Kaur. The claim in appeal now is for enhancement of the amount awarded.
(2.) IT stands established from the evidence on record that Karam Singh, deceased, was only 25 years of age at the time of his death. He was unmarried and his total emoluments at that time were Rs. 367.70. Mrs. Chanan Kaur, the mother of the deceased, was then 47 years of age. For considering the amount payable as compensation to Mrs. Chanan Kaur, the mother of the deceased, it must be borne in mind that in normal course if Karam Singh had not died in this accident, he would have got married and in due course raised a family which would have added to his expenses. There were at the same time also prospects of increase in salary and advancement in his career. Generally the principles governing the computation of compensation in such cases are those as set out by the Full Bench in Lachman Singh v. Gurmit Kaur : 1979 A.C.J. 170(P. and H.), which need not here be reiterated. Considered in the totality of the circumstances of this case, it would indeed be just and reasonable to assume that the deceased would have supported his mother and considering his age, 16 would clearly be the appropriate multiplier to adopt. The support to the mother from the deceased would have been atleast to the extent of Rs. 100/ - per month. It is, thus, on this basis that the claimant must be held entitled to compensation in this case. So computed, the figure works out to Rs. 19,200/ -. To make it a round figure, the claimant Mrs. Chanan Kaur must be held entitled to and is hereby awarded a sum of Rs. 20,000/ - as compensation which she shall be entitled to along -with interest at the rate of 12 per cent per annum from the date of the application to the date of the payment of the amount awarded.
(3.) THIS appeal is consequently accepted to the extent indicated above with costs. Counsel's fee Rs. 300/ -.;