Sudhir Narain and V.M. Sahai, JJ.@mdashThis appeal is directed against the award of the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal dated 30.10.2001
awarding a total sum of Rs. 2,47,700 as compensation to the claimants-respondents.
2. The claim petition was filed with the allegations that on 13.6.1996 at about 7.30 a.m. the deceased Jagram, the husband of respondent No. 1
was travelling in tractor No. UP 92-1098 along with one Ghana-ram. Tractor was loaded with the cement poles and aluminium wire for the
purpose of installation of electric connection to be installed on the tube-well of the deceased through electricity department. The tractor, due to
negligent driving of the driver, overturned, on account of which the deceased received serious injuries resulting into his death. He was aged about
32 years and was working on the post of supervisor in a steel factory at New Delhi and was earning Rs. 2,500 per month. He died leaving behind
him, his widow and three minor children.
3. The claim petition was contested by the appellant on various grounds. It was contended that the tractor was to engage itself only for agricultural
purposes and not for carrying goods and it was a breach of the term of the insurance policy and, therefore, the appellant was not liable to pay any
damages so as to indemnify the owner of the tractor.
4. The Tribunal has considered this aspect of the matter and recorded a finding that driver of the tractor, without knowledge of the owner of the
tractor, had taken the goods and the passenger on hire.
5. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, we do not find that the view taken by the Tribunal is erroneous.
6. The appeal is, accordingly dismissed.
7. The amount of Rs. 25,000 deposited in this court by the appellant shall be remitted to the Tribunal within one month from today by the Registry
and shall be adjusted in the deposits to be made by the appellant.