(1.) Kiran Sood and her minor children have filed the present appeal for seeking enhancement in the compensation awarded by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Hoshiarpur on 10.9.96.
(2.) The appellants had sought compensation on account of the death of Arvind Sood, husband of appellant No. 1 who had lost his life in an accident involving Maruti van No. DNH 0218 which was being driven by him and truck bearing registration No. HIK 5337 which was being driven by Mohan Lai in a rash and negligent manner near Government High School, Chohal, when the deceased was coming from Chint Purni. The deceased had tried to take the van to the extreme left side of the road but the truck had after coming on to the wrong side struck the van. The claim petition was contested by respondent on various grounds which included an averment to the effect that as per report made to the police, the accident had taken place not on account of the rash and negligent driving of the truck driver but on account of the negligence of the driver of the van. From the pleadings of the parties, the following issues were framed:
(3.) The parties had led evidence. The Tribunal decided issue No. 1 in favour of the claimants. Issue No. 3 was decided against the insurance company. While disposing of issue No. 2, the Tribunal had awarded a sum of Rs. 7,00,000 as compensation on account of the death of Arvind Sood. Dissatisfied with the amount of compensation awarded, heirs of Arvind Sood have come up in appeal.