New Delhi

A Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Delhi has awarded compensation of ₹22.91 lakh to the family of a 54-year-old cyclist who lost his life in a road accident in west Delhi in December 2024.

The order was passed by Presiding Officer Anurag Dass while deciding a compensation plea filed by the family of Sushil Kumar, who succumbed to injuries after being struck by a motorcycle near Chanchal Park in Ranhola on December 18, 2024.

The tribunal held that the petitioners had successfully established that Kumar’s death resulted from the rash and negligent driving of the motorcycle by its rider, Rajiv.

According to the case records, Kumar sustained severe injuries in the collision and was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him dead on arrival. Following the incident, police registered a criminal case against the motorcycle rider.

While examining the claim petition, the tribunal relied on multiple pieces of evidence, including eyewitness testimony, the FIR, police chargesheet, site plan, mechanical inspection report and post-mortem findings.

The tribunal observed that the eyewitness, who operated a bicycle repair shop near the accident site, consistently stated that the motorcycle was travelling at a high speed and hit the cyclist after he had taken a U-turn.

Noting the circumstances of the collision, the tribunal remarked that the very nature of the incident indicated negligent driving on the part of the motorcyclist.

Since no documentary proof of the deceased’s earnings was available, the tribunal assessed his income on the basis of the minimum wages applicable to an unskilled worker in Delhi, calculated at ₹18,066 per month.

After considering the loss suffered by the dependants and other relevant factors, the tribunal fixed the total compensation at ₹22.91 lakh.

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The order further noted that the motorcycle involved in the accident was covered by a valid insurance policy at the time of the incident. Consequently, the insurance company was directed to deposit and disburse the awarded compensation amount to the deceased’s family.