MV Act | Deceased's Married Sister May Not Be Dependent, But As Sole Heir Is Entitled To Compensation For Loss Of Estate: Kerala HC

In a case motor vehicle compensation case where a man died in an accident, the Kerala High Court said that his married sister cannot claim compensation for loss of dependency, but as his sole legal heir, she is entitled to claim compensation under the heads of loss of estate as well as loss of love and affection. The deceased died in a bike accident. The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal found that the accident occurred due to the negligence of the bike driver and awarded compensation of Rs. 9,50,000 to the sister who is the sole legal heir of the deceased under different heads. The insurance company challenged this decision before the High Court saying that the amount was excessive.The appellant argued that the sister being married was not entitled to compensation under the head 'loss of dependency'. The Court observed that since her parents are no more and she is the sole sibling, she might have been dependent on her brother. The Court, however, noted that no evidence was adduced to prove the same.Justice Shoba Annamma Eapen held that, the sibling is entitled to compensation under the head of 'loss of estate'. The court said:“In Elamma & others v. ICICI Lombard General Insurance [2023:KER:84777], following the judgment in Joseph (supra), this Court held that the siblings of the deceased are entitled for compensation under the head, loss of estate. Here, in this case, the claimant is the only legal heir of the deceased. I find that while the claimant is not entitled to compensation for loss of dependency, she is entitled to compensation for loss of estate, which can be calculated using the same method as for loss of dependency...The learned counsel for the claimant submits that the tribunal has not awarded any compensation towards loss of consortium or loss of love and affection. The claimant, being the sibling of the deceased, may not be entitled to loss of consortium, but certainly entitled to compensation towards loss of love and affection.The Court noted that in National Insurance Co. Ltd v Pranay Sethi (2017), the Supreme Court had held that if a deceased is a bachelor, the amount to be deducted towards personal expenses is 50%. The High Court said that the Tribunal had correctly deducted 50% of the income towards personal expenses and this does not deserve any interference.The Court also noted that as per the Supreme Court decision in Pranay Sethi's case, the maximum amount that has to be given as funeral expenses is Rs.15,000. The tribunal granted Rs. 25,000. The High Court said that there is only a marginal difference and no interference is needed with the compensation awarded.The sister had submitted that the Tribunal had not awarded anything towards 'loss of consortium' or 'loss of love and affection'. The High Court held that the claimant being the sibling is not entitled to loss of consortium but is entitled to loss of love and affection. On this observation, Court awarded an additional Rs. 40,000 towards loss of love and affection with interest @ 8% per annum from the date of petition till realization and proportionate costsCounsel for the Appellant: Adv. Dinesh Mathew J. MurikanCounsel for Respondent: Advocates Shyam Padman, Boby M. SekharCase No: MACA 532 of 2018Case Title: The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. v Sindhu K. & OthersCitation: 2025 LiveLaw (Ker) 83Click Here To Read/ Download Order

MV Act | Deceased's Married Sister May Not Be Dependent, But As Sole Heir Is Entitled To Compensation For Loss Of Estate: Kerala HC

Manju Elsa Isac

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