Ahmedabad Accident Tribunal Orders ₹2.74 Lakh Compensation in 2022 Narol Bridge Accident Case

The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Ahmedabad (Rural), has awarded a total compensation of ₹2,74,600 to an eight-year-old boy and his uncle who sustained injuries in a road accident on Narol Bridge in January 2022. The tribunal held the car driver responsible for the collision and directed the driver, vehicle owner and insurer to jointly and severally pay the compensation with 9 per cent annual interest.

Car Hits Auto-Rickshaw on Narol Bridge

The accident occurred on January 14, 2022, at around 1 pm, when an auto-rickshaw carrying eight-year-old Arhankhan Pathan and driven by his uncle, Mohammadsamir Shaikh, was hit from behind by a car on Narol Bridge.

According to the case details, the car was being driven rashly and negligently. The impact overturned the auto-rickshaw, after which the offending car collided with another car.

Both Arhankhan and Shaikh sustained fractures and other injuries in the accident.

Tribunal Holds Car Driver Responsible

While deciding two consolidated compensation petitions, the tribunal held that the accident was entirely the result of the car driver's rash and negligent driving.

It took note of the criminal charge-sheet filed against the driver and observed that the defence had failed to produce evidence to rebut the allegations.

₹1.39 Lakh for Minor, ₹1.35 Lakh for Uncle

In the claim filed on behalf of the minor, the tribunal awarded ₹1,39,000 in compensation. It directed that the amount be deposited in a fixed deposit with a nationalised bank until the child attains maturity.

The tribunal separately awarded ₹1,35,600 to auto-rickshaw driver Mohammadsamir Shaikh towards future loss of income, medical expenses, pain and suffering.

The driver, owner and insurer of the offending vehicle have been held jointly and severally liable for paying the total compensation of ₹2,74,600, along with simple interest at 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing the claim petitions.