High Court Rajasthan High Court - Jodhpur

Raj Kumar vs R S R T C & Ors on 26 September, 2008

Rajasthan High Court – Jodhpur
Raj Kumar vs R S R T C & Ors on 26 September, 2008
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  IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE FOR RAJASTHAN AT JODHPUR
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               CIVIL MISC. APPEAL No. 409 of 1997

                                     RAJ KUMAR
                                 V/S
                                R S R T C & ORS

    Mr. BHARAT SRIMALI & Mr. SHAMBHOO RATHORE, for the
    appellant / petitioner

    Mr. ANIL BACHHAWAT & Mr. MP GOSWAMI, for the respondent

    Date of Order : 26.9.2008

                     HON'BLE SHRI N P GUPTA,J.


                             ORDER

—–

The claimant has filed this appeal for

enhancement of the compensation. Since the question of

negligence etc. are not in controversy, I need not go into

those aspects. The aspect of compensation has been decided

by the learned Tribunal while deciding the issue no. 3.

The relevant facts in that regard are, that

according to the claimant he was 28 years of age at the

time of accident, and was earning Rs. 3,000/- per month,

and his right hand has become useless, due to injury,

sustained in the accident, which is under treatment even

till the date, and is not likely to be normal. To this

effect the claimant has also deposed, and his younger

brother Ramotar has also deposed that nuts and bolts have

been fixed in the hand, and the hand has become totally

useless.

The learned Tribunal found, that the claimant

has claimed to be serving in private employment, and is
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continuing to receive treatment. The learned Tribunal has

awarded Rs. 15,000/- for the pain and agony. Then, since

the claimant has produced the medical bills for Rs.

11,744/-, considering that the treatment is likely to

continue, a sum of Rs. 15,000/- has been awarded on that

count, and another sum of Rs. 10,000/- has been awarded

for the future loss of income.

Learned counsel for the appellant, assailing the

award contended, that the appellant has suffered 70%

permanent disablement, and therefore, the compensation

awarded is grossly inadequate.

I have considered the submissions, and perused

the record, and find, that from the statement of claimant

himself, which were recorded on 4.7.1996, it is clear,

that some of the nails and plates have been removed, and

one more operation was to be undertaken. While there is

nothing to show as to what has been the consequence after

second operation, i.e. whether any disability survives? It

is a different story that from the documents available on

record, it appears, that immediately after the accident he

was operated on 13.8.1995, as appears from Ex. 8. Then,

Ex.-50 is another document, being receipt for the charges

for administration of anesthesia. Obviously, therefore, at

that time some operation must have been undertaken.

Documents in which regard has not been produced, and what

has been the consequent survival of disability has also

not been brought on record.

Learned counsel for the appellant wanted me to
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go through the certificate dated 1.10.1996, which has been

produced on record on 11.2.1997. From perusal of order-

sheets it transpires, that on 11.2.1997 final arguments in

the claim were heard, and the claim was decided on the

next date fixed, being 25.2.1997. Thus, this certificate

has neither been tendered in evidence, nor had been

proved, nor the certificate is original one. That apart

this certificate catalogues the list of disabilities, i.e.

the nature of injuries suffered, and the extent of

disability sustained, and in this head entries appearing

at No. “h, i, & j” are shown to be resulting into 70%

disability, but admittedly in the certificate none of

these injuries have been mentioned to have been sustained

by the victim, still the Doctor has purportedly certified

the appellant to have sustained 70% handicap. Looking to

the nature of injuries, even if the matter were to be

considered on the parameters of the list given in

Schedule-I, appended to the Workmen’s Compensation Act,

still the disability is not shown to be any permanent

disablement.

In that view of the matter, I do not find any

ground to accept the contention that has been raised by

the learned counsel for the appellant.

That being the position, the compensation as

awarded by the learned Tribunal cannot be said to be

inadequate, requiring any interference by this Court in

appeal.

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The appeal thus has no force, and the same is,

therefore, dismissed.

( N P GUPTA ),J.

/Sushil/