The Andhra Pradesh High Court has enhanced the compensation payable to the family of a 27-year-old man who died in a road accident involving an APSRTC bus, even while dismissing the transport corporation's appeal challenging the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT) award. The Court held that its duty is to ensure "just compensation" under the Motor Vehicles Act, regardless of whether the claimants sought enhancement in appeal.
Background of the Case
The appeal was filed by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) against a 2012 MACT award granting ₹7.28 lakh to the family of Vadde Rajagopal, who died in a road accident on March 30, 2008.
According to the claimants, Rajagopal, employed as a Credit Officer with a private finance company, was riding his motorcycle near K. Nagalapuram village in Kurnool district when an APSRTC bus allegedly hit him due to rash and negligent driving. The accident proved fatal.
Before the High Court, APSRTC argued that the deceased himself had contributed to the accident, questioned the assessment of his income, and contended that his father and sisters were not financially dependent on him.
Court's Observations
Justice A. Hari Haranadha Sarma found no reason to interfere with the Tribunal's finding on negligence. The Court noted that APSRTC had not produced any witness to support its defence, while the claimants relied on eyewitness testimony, the FIR, charge sheet and other records.
Referring to Supreme Court precedents, the Court observed,
"The claimants were merely to establish their case on the touchstone of preponderance of probability,"
meaning that a motor accident claim need not be proved beyond reasonable doubt.
While examining compensation, the Court held that the Tribunal had taken a conservative view of the deceased's income. It added future prospects to the income in line with Supreme Court guidelines and granted compensation under heads that had earlier been omitted, including loss of estate, funeral expenses and filial consortium payable to the deceased's father.
The bench also reiterated that appellate courts can award higher compensation even if the claimants have not filed an appeal, provided the amount awarded is "just compensation" under the law.
Decision
The High Court dismissed APSRTC's appeal but modified the Tribunal's award by enhancing the compensation from ₹7.28 lakh to ₹10.06 lakh, with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the claim petition until realization.
The Court directed APSRTC to deposit the enhanced amount within two months. It also ordered that the enhanced compensation be shared equally among the claimants, while requiring them to pay the applicable court fee on the enhanced portion before the Tribunal.
Case Details:
Case Title: The A.P.S.R.T.C. v. Vadde Durganna & Others
Case Number: M.A.C.M.A. No. 1424 of 2014
Judge: Justice A. Hari Haranadha Sarma
Decision Date: 25 June 2026
