Damages by Bluelines: SC seeks response

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the government on a petition filed by Blueline bus operators...

The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the government on a petition filed by Blueline bus operators,challenging a judicial order to pay Rs 1 lakh as interim compensation to families of victims in case of fatal accidents.

A three-judge Bench led by Chief Justice of India K G Balakrishnan issued notice to the government after the Federation of Delhi Bus Operators questioned why they alone had to shell out the compensation and sought the applicability of Delhi High Court order to all vehicles,public and private.

In September 2008,the High Court had ordered DTC and Blueline bus owners to pay immediate compensation to victims,and their families,involved in accidents with their vehicles.

The court fixed a ceiling rate of Rs 1 lakh in case of a fatal accident,and Rs 50,000 if victim(s) suffered grievous injuries or permanent or partial disability.

The payment was supposed to act as a precondition for the release of impounded buses.

The interim scheme was titled the Scheme for Victims of Accidents Caused By Stage Carriages (DTC and Blueline Buses). But bus owners called the scheme arbitrary and sought a stay.

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