Jose vs R.Jaganathan on 14 September, 2007

       

  

  

 
 
  IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM

AS No. 847 of 1997(E)



1. JOSE
                      ...  Petitioner

                        Vs

1. R.JAGANATHAN
                       ...       Respondent

                For Petitioner  :SRI.V.CHITAMBARESH

                For Respondent  :SRI.R.JAGANATHAN

The Hon'ble MR. Justice K.PADMANABHAN NAIR

 Dated :14/09/2007

 O R D E R
                          K. PADMANABHAN NAIR ,J.
                      -------------------------------------------------
                                  A.S.No.847 of 1997
                      -------------------------------------------------
                   Dated, this the 14th day of September, 2007
                                     JUDGMENT

Plaintiffs in O.S.No.484/1993 on the file of the Additional Sub Judge,

Irinjalakuda are the appellants. They are heirs of late Shri George who was the

owner of a tempo van bearing registration No.KER 7954. On 17.8.1991 the

vehicle met with an accident. It was alleged that a goods vehicle bearing

registration No.TDW 9769 driven by the second respondent and owned by the first

respondent came in a rash or negligent manner and hit against the tempo van

owned by late Shri George. It was averred that on account of the damages

sustained to the tempo van Shri George had incurred expenses for repairing the

vehicle. It was also averred that on account of non-plying of vehicle on road the

owner sustained loss of income. Shri George died on 18.6.1992 and hence a suit

was filed by his heirs for realisation of an amount of Rs.57,752.62 ps. with

interest at the rate of 12% per annum from the respondents who are the owner,

driver and insurer of the offending vehicle.

2. Respondents filed written statements denying their liability.

Negligence alleged was denied. Court below found that damages caused to the

tempo van on account of accident was a matter to be adjudicated by the Motor

Accidents Claims Tribunal. Court below also found that the claim for loss of

income on account of non-plying of the vehicle on road was not a matter which

AS No.847/1997 -: 2 :-

can be considered by the Tribunal and that was a matter to be adjudicated by the

Civil Court alone. Appellants have claimed Rs.12,000/- on account of the non-

availability of the vehicle to ply on road. Brother of the deceased was examined.

It was he who paid the repair charges. As rightly observed by the court below

there was no specific averment in the plaint from what date to what date the

vehicle was garaged.

3. Learned counsel appearing for the appellants has argued that the

vehicle was re-inspected on 15.1.1992 which would conclusively show that at least

for a period of five months the vehicle was out of operation. The mere fact that

the re-inspection was conducted on 15.1.1992 does not mean that the vehicle was

not road worthy till that date. Further what exactly was the loss sustained by the

owner also was not established. PW1 had deposed that the average loss per day

was Rs.100/-. To substantiate that contention there was only oral evidence. Trial

court did not accept that oral evidence. Considering all aspects of the matter I do

not find any reason to admit this appeal. There is no merit in the appeal and the

same is only to be dismissed.

In the result, appeal is dismissed under Order IX Rule 11 of Civil Procedure

Code.

K. PADMANABHAN NAIR,
JUDGE.

cks

AS No.847/1997 -: 3 :-

K.PADMANABHAN NAIR, J.

A.S.No.847 of 1997

JUDGMENT

14th September, 2007.