Rs. 1.25 crore relief for accident victim in coma

A Motor Accident Claim Tribunal has awarded a compensation of Rs. 1.25 crore to a man living in a "persistent vegetative state" after a crippling road accident four years ago. MACT presiding judge Kanwal Jeet Arora has directed Oriental Insurance, with which the vehicle was insured to pay the amount to the victim for his future treatment. An interest of 9% has been factored in by the tribunal along with the direction that a compliance report be filed within 45 days. The accident is to be reported to take place on August 25, 2007, when Pritam Singh, a resident of Delhi, was driving to Shirdi with his friends that a truck coming from the opposite direction crashed into his car. He sustained multiple injuries and at first, he was taken to Shri Sai Nath Hospital at Shirdi. But later due to his deteriating helath condition, he was shifted to a hospital in Mumbai where he was admitted from August 26 to December 4 that year. Ater a four month's treatment, doctors declared him as 100% disabled. Singh's brother moved court in 2008, claiming Rs.3 crore as compensation on the ground that the truck was driving in a rash and negligent manner. The insurance company, however challenged the petition and said the accident took place due to the negligence of driver of Singh's car. It is stated that the claim petition filed by the petitioner is exorbitant and without any basis. The insurance compnay contended, refusing to part with any money. After going through relevant facts and statement of witnesses, the court refused the petition of the insurance company and held the driver of the truck responsible for Singh's state. The Judge said that "Life is not mere living or surviving but living in health". Reported by        AR