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Basappa And Another v. K.H Sreenivasa Reddy And 3 Others
Judgment Summary — Sabahit, J.
Factual and Procedural Background
The appeals arise from a common judgment and awards dated 7-12-1978 of the Member, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chickmangalur, dismissing two claim petitions (Misc. (MVC) Cases Nos. 6 and 9 of 1978). On 17-8-1977 at about 2:00 P.M., two buses collided near the Eastern Toll Gate on B.H. Road at Tarikere: a private bus bearing registration MYS 6418 (owned by respondent 1 and driven by respondent 2 in the petitions) and a KSRTC bus (registration MYF 4789, driven by one Siddappa). Passengers Smt. Sharadamma and Shri Malleshappa, who were traveling in the private bus, sustained injuries; Smt. Sharadamma subsequently died and Shri Malleshappa suffered a fracture of the right collar bone.
The husband of the deceased filed Misc. (MVC) Case No. 6 of 1978 claiming Rs. 50,000 as compensation against the owner, driver and insurer of the private bus. The injured person (Shri Malleshappa) filed Misc. (MVC) Case No. 9 of 1978 claiming Rs. 55,000 against the same respondents. The original respondents denied negligence on their part and contended that the KSRTC bus was responsible; subsequently the owner and driver of the KSRTC bus (respondents 4 and 5) were impleaded and filed a written statement. Both claims were heard together and the Tribunal recorded evidence (claimants examined PWs 1–4 and produced Exhibits P-1 to P-3) but no evidence was adduced for the respondents. The Tribunal found that the KSRTC bus was responsible for the accident but dismissed the petitions as barred by limitation and on the basis of a perceived variance between pleading and proof. The claimants appealed.
Legal Issues Presented
- Whether the Tribunal was justified in holding that compensation could not be awarded against the owner and the driver of the KSRTC bus because they were not added in the original petition and compensation was not claimed against them?
- Whether the Tribunal was justified in holding that the claim against the owner and the driver of the KSRTC bus was barred by limitation because they were added later?
- If the Tribunal was not justified on the above grounds, what is the quantum of compensation to which the claimants are entitled?
Arguments of the Parties
Claimants' Arguments
- The learned counsel for the claimants argued that the Claims Tribunal, having itself held that the KSRTC bus driver was responsible for the accident, could not dismiss the petitions on account of limitation or variance; compensation should therefore have been awarded against the owner and driver of the KSRTC bus.
Contending Respondents' Arguments
- The learned counsel appearing for the contending respondents supported the judgment passed by the Tribunal. (No further detail of their submissions is recorded in the provided opinion.)
Table of Precedents Cited
| Precedent | Rule or Principle Cited For | Application by the Court |
|---|---|---|
| Seethamma v. Benedict D'Sa (AIR 1967 Mys 11) | Criticism of the statutory claim form; strict rules of pleading (as in a plaint) are not appropriate for claim petitions before Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals. | The court relied on this decision to reject the Tribunal's reliance on a doctrine of variance between pleading and proof, observing that the statutory form is an imperfect substitute for a plaint and that strict pleading rules of the Civil Procedure Code should not be invoked. |
| M. Krishnappa v. Madras Motor and General Insurance Co. ((1971) 1 Mys LJ 86) | The prescribed form under Motor Vehicles Rules is inadequate and misleading; the Tribunal should not treat the form like a plaint and must determine what heads of compensation are claimable. | The court invoked this authority to reinforce that the Tribunal must look beyond the form and determine actionable negligence and appropriate relief, rather than dismissing claims on technical pleading variances. |
| Bessarlal Laxmichand v. Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Greater Bombay (Bombay Division Bench decision) | It is for the Tribunal to find out relevant parties and issue notices; proceedings before the Tribunal cannot be equated with a civil suit subject to strict pleading rules. | The court approved and relied on this case to hold that the Tribunal should have added necessary parties (and not applied strict civil pleading norms) and that the responsibility to add parties lies with the Tribunal after appropriate inquiry. |
Court's Reasoning and Analysis
The court reviewed the Tribunal's two principal grounds for dismissal: (a) variance between pleading and proof, and (b) that addition of respondents 4 and 5 (owner and driver of the KSRTC bus) was barred by limitation because they were added after the statutory period.
On the variance point, the court explained that the statutory claim form used before Motor Accidents Claims Tribunals is an inadequate substitute for a plaint and does not contain the columns and structure of a plaint; consequently, the strict doctrine of variance between pleading and proof applicable to suits governed by the Civil Procedure Code cannot be mechanically applied to claim petitions. The court relied on Seethamma and M. Krishnappa to show that the Tribunal must consider the substance of the evidence and determine actionable negligence irrespective of the claimant's characterization in the form. The Tribunal's own finding — that the KSRTC bus driver was negligent — required the Tribunal to act on that finding and award relief against the responsible parties rather than dismiss the petitions on pleading-based technicalities.
On limitation, the court reasoned that limitation prescribes the time for instituting a petition; once a petition is instituted in time against some relevant parties, necessary parties may be added later. The Tribunal has a duty under its rules to add necessary parties and issue notices (the opinion cites the Tribunal's rule-R. 346 in this context). More specifically, the court identified that the facts brought the late addition of respondents 4 and 5 within the proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 21 of the Limitation Act, 1963, which permits the court to deem the suit (or petition) as instituted earlier if the omission to include the new defendant was due to a mistake made in good faith. The court found that the claimants had a bona fide belief that the accident was due to the private (Reddy) bus, and only after the Reddy bus parties contended that the KSRTC driver was responsible did the claimants apply to add respondents 4 and 5. This, the court held, amounted to a mistake in good faith and therefore the addition fell under the proviso and should be treated as within time.
The court further observed that even if the addition was to be construed as outside six months, the Tribunal had the power to condone delay and, on the facts (claimants acted bona fide and respondents 4 and 5 were allowed to participate and file objections and evidence), the Tribunal should have condoned the delay rather than rejecting the claims at the judgment stage on a technicality.
Having rejected both grounds relied upon by the Tribunal, the court concluded that compensation must be awarded against respondents 4 and 5 (the owner and driver of the KSRTC bus). The court then considered the quantum of compensation by reference to the evidence on record in each claim petition.
For the death claim (Misc. (MVC) Case No. 6 of 1978), the court noted the deceased's age (about 24 years), that she was pregnant, and that she left two minor children. It observed that although the husband had remarried by the time of evidence, the children remained entitled to care and the husband had lost consortium for a period before remarriage. The court awarded compensation directed to the husband: Rs. 10,000 (for loss of consortium for about ten months and costs likely to incur for care of the minor children) plus Rs. 5,000 for loss to the estate — totaling Rs. 15,000 — with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petition until payment.
For the injury claim (Misc. (MVC) Case No. 9 of 1978), the court noted a fracture of the right collar bone, absence of medical testimony, and that the claimant (a teacher) continued in service (undermining a claim of lasting incapacity). Given the absence of medical evidence on disability, the court limited compensation to pain and suffering. It enhanced the Tribunal's award from Rs. 1,500 to Rs. 3,000 as a just compensation for pain and suffering, with interest at 6% per annum from the date of petition until payment.
Holding and Implications
Holding:
- The court held that the Tribunal erred in dismissing the petitions on the grounds of variance between pleading and proof and on the ground that respondents 4 and 5 were added beyond the period of limitation. The Tribunal should not have applied strict pleading rules to the statutory claim form, and the late addition of respondents 4 and 5 fell within the proviso to Section 21(1) of the Limitation Act (or, alternatively, the Tribunal should have condoned any delay).
- Consequently, the appeals were partly allowed and compensation was awarded against respondents 4 and 5:
- Misc. First Appeal No. 259 of 1980 (death claim): Claimant awarded Rs. 15,000 with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petition till payment; costs of the proceedings throughout to be paid by respondents 4 and 5.
- Misc. First Appeal No. 260 of 1980 (injury claim): Claimant awarded Rs. 3,000 (enhanced from Rs. 1,500) with interest at 6% per annum from the date of the petition till payment; costs of the proceedings throughout to be paid by respondents 4 and 5.
Implications:
- The direct effect is that respondents 4 and 5 (owner and driver of the KSRTC bus) are liable to pay the awarded compensation, interest and costs as ordered.
The opinion applies and relies upon prior authorities concerning the inapplicability of strict civil pleading rules to claim petitions and the Tribunal's duty to identify and add necessary parties; it does not expressly state that it is creating a new precedent beyond applying established principles.
JUDGMENT Sabahit, J.
1. These two appeals arise out of a common judgment and awards dated 7-12-1978 passed by the Member, Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Chickmangalur in (MVC) Cases Nos. 6 and 9 of 1978, on his file, dismissing the two petitions.
2. The deceased in Miscellaneous (MVQ Case No. 6 of 1978 and the injured in Miscellaneous (MVC) Case No. 9 of 1978 Were traveling on 17-8-1977 at about 2.00 P. M. in bus bearing Registration No. MYS 6418 belonging to respondent I and driven by respondent 2 in the petition. When the bus was going on its proper side, a 'KSRTC` bus dashed against the said bus as a result of which Smt. Sharadamma and Shri Malleshappa, the passengers in the private bus, sustained injuries. Smt. Sharadammia died as a result of the injuries sustained. Shri Malleshappa, the injured, sustained fracture of the right collar bone. The husband of deceased Smt. Sharadamma instituted Miscellaneous (MVQ Case, No. 6 of 1978 claiming compensation of Rs. 50,000/- from the respondents viz., the owner, the driver and the insurer of the private bus. Similarly, the injured person viz., Shri Malleshappa, claimed compensation of Rs. 55,0001- from the same respondents.
3. The original respondents resisted the claim and submitted that the negligence was not proved on the part of the driver of the private bus but it was the 'KSRTC' bus that came and dashed against the private bus and, as such, the accident was the result of the rash and negligent driving of the 'KSRTC' bus by its driver. Subsequently, the driver and the owner of the 'KSRTC' bus were made as parties viz., respondents 4 and 5. They also filed their written statement denying their liability.
4. The Tribunal raised the following issues as arising from the pleadings in M. C. (MVC) No. 6 of 1978:
(1) Whether the petitioner proves that Sharadamma died on 17-8-1977 at about 2.00 P. M. on account of the rash and negligent driving of the bug bearing Registration No. MYS, 6418 near the'Eastorn Toll Gate on B. H. Road at Tarikere?
(2) Whether respondents 1 and 2 prove that the accident was due to the rash and negligest driving of the bus bearing Registration No MYF 4789 by one Siddappa and dashing against the bus bearing Registration No. MYS 6418, which was parked, near Kodi Camp, on B. H. Road at Tarikere?
(3) To what compensation and from whom the petitioner is entitled?
The following additional issues were also raised by the Tribunal:
(l) Is the claim against 'KSRTC' not maintainable for reasons stated in para 2 of the objection statement filed by additional respondent 2 ?
(2) Is the claim barred by limitation against the said respondent ?
5. The Tribunal raised the following issues as, arising from the pleadings in M. C. (MVC No. 9 of - 1978:
(1) Whether the petitioner proves that he sustained fracture of the right hand due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus bearing Registration No. MYS 6418 by respondent 1 on 17-8-1977 at about 2.00 P. M. near the Pastern Toll Gate on B. H. Road at Tariksre and dashing it against the 'KSRTC` bus?
(2) Whether respondents 1 and 2 prove that the accident occurred on account of the rash and negligent driving of the bus bearing Registration No. MYF 4789 by one Siddappa and dashing against the bus MYS 6418 which was parked near Kodi Camp on B. H. Road, Tarikere Town ?
(3) To what compensation and from whom the petitioner is entitled to ?
The following additional issues were also raised by the Tribunal :
(1) Is the claim against respondent 2 'KSRTC not maintainable for reasons stated in para 2 of the objection statement of the said respondeat ?
(2) Is the claim against the said respondent barred by time ?
6. Both the claim petitions were heard together as the claims arose from the same accident and the Tribunal recorded evidence and proceeded to pass a common Judgment.
7. During hearing, the claimants examined P. Ws. 1 to 4 and got marked Exhibits P-1 to P-3. No evidence was adduced on behalf of the respondents.
8. The Tribunal, appreciating the evidence on record, hold that, the accident was the result of the rash and negligent driving of the 'KSRTC' bus by its driver. But since the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus were not added 'in the first instance, it proceeded to dismiss the claims in the two claim petitions as barred by time. Aggrieved by the said common judgment, the present appeals are filed by the claimants.
9. The learned Counsel appearing for the claimants strenuously urged that the Claims Tribunal could not dismiss the petitions having held that the 'KSRTC' bus driver was responsible for the accident by driving the said bus in a rash and negligent manner. He submitted that compensation should' have -been awarded against the owner and the driver of the, 'KSRTC' bus.
10. As against that, the learned counsel appearing for the contending respondents argued supporting the judgment passed by the Tribunal:
11. The points, therefore, that arise for our consideration in these appeals are:
(1) Whether the Tribunal was justified in holding that compensation could not be awarded against the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus because they were not added in the original petition and compensation was not claimed against them?
(2) Whether the Tribunal was justified in holding that the claim against the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus -was barred by limitation as they were added later on?
(3) If not, what is the compensation to which the claimants are entitled?
12. In Para 10 of the judgment, the Tribunal has observed thus :
"... . . ... It is clear that the evidence adduced by the petitioners is in direct conflict with the allegations contained in the petition regarding the manner in which the accident occurred in that according to the allegations in the petition. The accident was due to rash and. negligent driving of the bus. MYS 6418 by the second respondent and dashing against K. S. R. T. C. bus that was coming from the opposite direction, while the evidence adduced is to the effect that the K. S.0 R. T. C. bus that cam from the opposite direction, came in speed and dashed against Reddy bus that as going on the left side of the road. Thus, in view of this variance between the pleading and proof, it is not possible to hold that me petitioners have established that there Was rashness or negligence on the part of the second respondent in driving the vehicle at the Material place, and the rash and negligent act, of the second respondent was responsible for causing the death of Sharadamma and PW 4 Malleshappa sustaining fracture Of the right hand. Hence my finding on these two issues is in the negative."
Again, in para 12 of the judgment, the Tribunal has observed thus:
"Under this issue, me point that arises for consideration is: Whether the petition is not maintainable against respondents 4 and 5. The contention, of respondents 4 and 5 is that even according to the allegations in the petition filed by the petitioners, the accident was due to the rash and negligent driving of the bus by the second respondent and the said bus colliding with K. S. R. T. C. bus and, therefore, the Petitions claiming compensation are not maintainable against respondents 4 and 5. In view of the specific allegations contained in the petitions that the accident occurreòd on account of the rash and negligent driving of the bus MYS 6418 by the second respondent and dashing against the K.S.R.T.Q bus that was coming from the opposite dirtion, the contention of respondents 4 and 5 that the petitions are not maintainable against them is well-founded..
Again, in Para 13 of the judgment, the Tribunal has observed thus:
.. ... ... ... Hence, the petitions filed beyond the prescribed period of six months against respondents 4 and 5 are clearly barred by limitation."
13. The learned Member of the Claims Tribunal refers to the application for impleading respondents 4 and 5 viz., the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus in question. The claim petitions were disallow6d by the Tribunal on the grounds that in the petitions the claimants averred that the accident was due to the rash -and negligent driving of Reddy~ bus bearing Registration No: MYS 6418, but there was variance in pleading and proof inasmuch as the evidence adduced was in proof of the fact that actionable negligence was on the part of the driver of the KSRTC bus and that the application for impleading respondents 4 and. 5 was given beyond the prescribed time and further that no sufficient explanation was offered for condoning the delay.
14. We shall first advert to the first ground on which the Tribunal proceeded to dismiss the petitions viz., there is variance between pleading and proof. This court in an old case reported in the case of Seethamma v. Benedict D'Sa. (AIR 1967 Mys 11) criticised the form prescribed for claiming compensation and observed (at P. 13):
"... .. ... so the prescribed form is a poor substitute for a Plaint and there can be no rational reason for insistence on a pleading through its columns. A claim for compensation for death or injury which should be supported by a statement and proof of facts which create a right to it, should be allowed to be made through a property prepared pleading such its a plaint produced before the ordinary Courts, and, not through the obscure c6lumns of an imperfect form such as the one prescribed by the Rules ... ... ... ... ....."
15. Therefore, it is obvious that the strict Rules of Pleading contained in the Civil P. C. cannot be invoked while considering a claim petition. The petition is not a plaint. It does not provide for 'Prayer' in a separate column. Hence, there is no rational basis to apply the doctrine of variance between pleadings and proof.
16. This Court, in a Division Bench decision, in the case of M. Krishnappa v. Madras Motor and General Insurance Co., (1971) 1 Mys LJ 86 has further observed thus:
"The form prescribed under the Motor Vehicles Rules for a claim to the Tribunal appears inadequate and misleading. The form does not provide for different heads in respect of which compensation is claimable............
Therefore, the form should not be treated like a plaint and if any claim for compensation has been made, it is for the Tribunal to find out what compensation should be awarded on all heads for which the opposite party is responsible."
17. This Court relied upon approvingly on a decision of the Bombay High Court rendered by a Division Bench, in the case of Bessarlal Laxmichand v. Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Greater Bombay, . In that case, analysing the relevant sections, their Lordships have observed that it is for the Tribunal to find out the names of the relevant parties and issue notices to them and that the proceeding before the Tribunal cannot be treated as a suit before a regularly constituted Civil Court. Thus, the Tribunal was not justified in applying the strict procedure and Rules of Pleadings applicable to a suit in considering the claim petitions,
18. Besides it is for the Tribunal to find out actionable negligence on the part of a particular respondent. The opinion of a claimant is not decisive of the fact. The Tribunal has to appreciate the entire evidence on record' and has to come to the conclusion as to who is negligent. The finding on negligence has to be given by the Court and not by a party or a witness. The opinion of a party or a witness in that behalf has no legal relevance. It is the finding of the Tribunal on appreciation of evidence that becomes decisive. Respondents 4 and 5 were given opportunity to contest and it is on full hearing that the Tribunal has recorded its finding.
19. In the instant cases, the claimants have added respondents 4 and 5 after the objection statement of original respondents I to 3 was filed as they took up the contention that the negligence was on the part of the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus and, thereafter, the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus filed their objection statement and they have participated in the proceeding. A specific issue is raised by the Tribunal in that behalf. Appreciating the entire evidence on record adduced both by the claimants as also by the, respondents, the Tribunal has recorded its finding that the negligence in causing the accident was on the part of the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus. Hence, the Tribunal ought to have pursued its own finding and given relief to the claimants on the basis of its own finding about actionable negligence.
20. There is no substance in the contention that respondents 4 and 5 were added as parties beyond the period. of limitation. Limitation is prescribed for instituting a petition. When once the petition is instituted in time with some of the relevant parties, addition of necessary parties could be made later. Besides, under the Rules, it is the duty of the Tribunal to add and issue notices to necessary parties, (vide : R. 346).
21. In fact, the Bombay decision, which is approved in the aforesaid decision of this Court, as cited earlier, would clearly show that the responsibility lies on the Tribunal to add the necessary parties after making necessary investigation. That being so, the Tribunal was not correct in saying that respondents 4 and 5 were added beyond the period of limitation and hence, the claim against them was barred by time.
22. Moreover. under proviso to sub-section (1) of Section 21 of the Limitation Act (1963), Court has the power to direct that the suit as regards newly added defendants shafl be -deemed to have been instituted' on an earlier date within time. The proviso reads:
"Provided that where the Court is satisfied that the omission to include a new Plaintiff or defendant was due to a mistake made in good faith, it may direct that the suit as regards such plaintiff or defendant shall be deemed to have been instituted on any earlier date."
23. Normally, as stated in Section 21(1) of the Limitation Act (1963), suit against a newly added party should be deemed to have been instituted as an the date of his being added; proviso speaks of an exception.
24. The facts of the present cases would bring the adding of respondents 4 and 5 obviously under the proviso as their not adding earlier was manifestly due, to a mistaken belief in good faith that actionable negligence was on the part of the driver of the Reddy Bus; and, hence, The Tribunal ought to have held that the claim against them was deemed to be within time.
25. The Tribunal, moreover, has the power to condone the delay even if it is to be construed that they should have been added within six months. The claimants bona fide believed that the accident was the result of rash and negligent driving of the Reddy Bus by its driver. In that view, they did not add the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus. But, when the owner and the driver of the said Reddy bus took up the contention that it was the driver of the 'KSRTC' bus who was rash and negligent and it was he who was responsible for causing the accident, they immediately applied for adding the owner and the driver of the 'KSRTC bus, giving reasons to condone the delay. In the circumstances, it was the duty of the Tribunal to condone the delay, if any, In adding respondents 4 and 5 as parties.
26. In the instant cases, the Tribunal has allowed respondents 4 and 5 to be made as parties, has taken their objection statement, has allowed them to adduce evidence and it is only at the time of writing the judgment that it has thought that their addition as parties was barred by time, which, is rather a strange procedure adopted by the Tribunal.
27. In the circumstances, we are unable to bring overselves to agree with the finding of the Tribunal that the claim against respondents 4 and 5 is barred by time. That being so, we, are constrained to hold that compensation to the claimants has to be awarded against respondents 4 and 5.
28. That leads us to the question of quantum of compensation to which the claimants in each case are entitled. We will first advert to Miscellaneous (MVC) Case No. 6 of 1978 in which the husband of Sharadamma has claimed compensation for the death of Sharadamma in the accident. Sharadamma was aged about 24 years at the time of her death by accident. It is further in evidence that she was pregnant. As she was killed in the accident, the husband lost the services of his wife, lost consortium and has claimed compensation of Rs. 50,000/-. It is also in evidence that by the time the petition came up for evidence, the husband of the said Sharadamma had re-married in May 1978. Therefore, .it was submitted before us that the question of loss of consortiurn and loss of services of the wife, are no longer available to the claimant. It is, however, on record that deceased Sharadamma has left behind her, two minor children. It may be that the husband has got another wife; but the children cannot have another mother. They would, after all, have a stepmother and the treatment by a step-mother has become proverbial in Hindu Society. Therefore, it would be necessary for the husband to make arrangements for the proper care and protection of his minor children by engaging the services of at least a maid till the children attain the age of discretion. Therefore, the husband would be entitled to' compensation for the loss of consortium for about ten months till he re-married and he would also be entitled for compensation for the amount that he is likely to spend for the care and protection of the minor children of, deceased Sharadamma. Having regard to these, we think it proper to award compensation of Rs. 10,000/-. He is also entitled for compensation for the loss to the estate of the deceased at Rs. 5,0001-. Together, therefore, we hold that the claimant is entitled for compensation of Rs. 15,000/-, together with interest thereon at 6% per annum. from the date of petition till payment. Hence, Miscellaneous First Appeal No. 259 of 1980 is entitled to succeed in part.
29. Adverting now to the claim made in Miscellaneous (MVC) Case No. 9 of 1978, it is on record that the injured/claimant suffered fracture of the right collar bone. The Doctor in the case is not examined. The claimant has stated as a witness before the Tribunal that be is not able to freely move his right band and write on the black-board. He is a Teacher by profession. The evidence shows that his services are continued. Hence, there is no substance in his say that he cannot write in the black-board. Since there is no evidence of the Doctor about any disability, compensation has to be awarded only for pain and suffering. Having regard to the nature of the injury and pain and agony suffered, we deem it just and proper to award him Rs. 3,000/- instead of Rs. 1,500/- as proposed by the Tribunal.
30. In the result, therefore, Miscellaneous First Appeal No. 259 of 1980 is partly allowed. The claimant is awarded Rs. 15000/- along with interest at 6% per annum from the date of petition till payment as also the costs of the proceedings throughout from aspondents 4 and 5 who shall pay the same to him.
31. Miscellaneous First Appeal No. 260 of 1980 is also partly allowed. The compensation proposed by the Tribunal at Rs. 1,500/- is enhanced to Rs. 3,000/- and we award the same to the claimant, along with interest at 6% per annum from the date of petition till payment as also the costs of the proceedings throughout from respondents 4 and 5.
32. ordered accordingly.
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