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2 decades after road accident, Punjab and Haryana HC hikes victim’s compensation by 6 times

The Punjab and Haryana High Court says even accidents without a vehicle collision must be fairly assessed and that payouts cannot be token.

4 min readChandigarhDec 18, 2025 04:45 PM IST

The Punjab and Haryana HC ordered the FCI to treat an employee’s suspension as duty time, ruling his bribery acquittal was "honorable" due to a lack of evidence. (File)

Nearly two decades after a bus conductor was left with permanent disability in a road accident involving a mule, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has enhanced his compensation almost sixfold, holding that the earlier award was “grossly meagre” and failed to reflect the seriousness of his injuries.

Justice Harkesh Manuja reassessed the compensation payable to Ram Singh, a conductor who suffered 40 per cent permanent disability when the bus he was travelling in first hit a mule and then crashed into a roadside tree near Chikanwas village in Haryana’s Bhiwani district in 2006. Setting aside the award of Rs 1 lakh granted by a Bhiwani Motor Accident Claims Tribunal, the court fixed the total compensation at Rs 5,91,500, along with a higher rate of interest.

The accident took place around 3.30 am on the intervening night of November 26 and 27, 2006, when the bus, travelling from Sirsa to Bhiwani with a load of plastic waste, went out of control. The court noted that a mule suddenly came onto the road and the driver was momentarily blinded by the headlights of an oncoming vehicle, causing the bus to first hit the animal, then strike a tree and overturn.

While the tribunal had held the driver negligent and awarded Rs 1 lakh with 7.5 per cent interest, the high court found the amount wholly disproportionate to the injuries suffered. Ram Singh had remained hospitalised for nearly a month, was readmitted later, and was left with lasting damage to his right foot.

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A key issue before the court was the legal route under which the claim had been decided. Justice Manuja observed that since the accident did not involve a collision with another vehicle, it could not strictly be treated as a no-fault claim. However, the court exercised its powers to treat the matter as a fault-based claim, holding that victims of such accidents cannot be denied just compensation merely because of the manner in which the claim was initially filed.

Victims can’t be expected to preserve every bill

On medical expenses, the high court took note of the fact that accident victims cannot be expected to preserve every bill or receipt. Though the documented medical bills came to around Rs 45,800, the court assessed medical expenses at Rs 1.5 lakh, keeping in view the nature of injuries, the period of hospitalisation, and the cost of treatment.

The high court also faulted the tribunal for rejecting loss of income on the ground that there was no documentary proof of earnings. Relying on Supreme Court rulings, it held that notional income must be realistically assessed, particularly for workers in the unorganised sector. The court fixed Ram Singh’s notional income at Rs 3,000 per month, noting that he was 45 years old at the time and would have been unable to work for several months after the accident.

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Taking his functional disability at 35 per cent and adding future income prospects, the court calculated Rs 2,20,500 towards future loss of earnings. It also awarded Rs 1 lakh for special diet, conveyance, and attendant charges, and another Rs 1 lakh for pain and suffering.

In all, the compensation was fixed at Rs 5,91,500, an enhancement of Rs 4,91,500 over the tribunal’s award. The court raised the interest rate to 9 per cent per annum from the date of filing of the claim, directing that if the amount is not paid within three months, it will thereafter carry interest at 12 per cent per annum.

Manraj Grewal Sharma

Manraj Grewal Sharma is a senior journalist and the Resident Editor of The Indian Express in Chandigarh, where she leads the newspaper’s coverage of north India’s most politically and institutionally significant regions. From Punjab and Haryana to Himachal Pradesh and the Union Territory of Chandigarh, she oversees reporting at the intersection of governance, law, politics and society. She also reports on the diaspora, especially in Canada and the US. With a career spanning journalism across several countries, academia and international development, Manraj brings a rare depth of perspective to regional reporting. She is widely regarded as a leading chronicler of Punjab’s contemporary history and socio-political evolution, particularly its long shadow of militancy, federal tensions and identity politics. Her book, Dreams after Darkness, remains a definitive account of the militancy years and their enduring aftermath. Professional Background & Expertise A gold medalist in mass communication and a post-graduate in English literature, Manraj has a multifaceted career spanning journalism, academia, and international development. She was also awarded a fellowship by National Foundation of India and did several in-depth pieces on Manipur. Internationally, she has reported from Israel, US, UK, Myanmar, and Mauritius Her key focus areas include: Regional Politics, History, Agriculture, Diaspora, and Security. Of late, she has started focusing on Legal & Judicial Affairs: Much of her recent work involves reporting on high-stakes cases in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, ranging from environmental policy to civil rights. International Consulting: She previously served as a consulting editor for the Asia Pacific Adaptation Network and a publishing consultant for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila. Academia: For five years, she was the managing editor of Gender, Technology and Development, a peer-reviewed international journal at the Asian Institute of Technology, Bangkok. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reportage focuses heavily on judicial interventions and regional governance: 1. Environment & Governance "‘NGT can’t test legality of policy’: HC hears challenge to Punjab’s ‘Green Habitat’ plan" (Dec 22, 2025): Covering a critical legal battle over whether the National Green Tribunal has the authority to strike down a state policy regularizing farmhouses on delisted forest land. "High court pulls up Punjab poll panel over audio clip probe" (Dec 10, 2025): Reporting on judicial concerns regarding the transparency and fairness of local body elections. 2. Legal Rights & Social Welfare "HC issues notice to Punjab, Haryana over delay in building old age homes" (Dec 22, 2025): Reporting on a contempt petition against top officials for failing to establish government-run homes for the elderly as promised in 2019. "Victims can appeal acquittals in sessions court without seeking special leave" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant procedural shift in criminal law following a Supreme Court ruling. "HC upholds benefits for Punjab FCI officer acquitted in 20-year-old bribery case" (Dec 19, 2025): A report on the concept of "honourable acquittal" and its impact on employee benefits. 3. Human Rights & Identity "As Punjab denies parole to MP Amritpal Singh, HC asks it to submit ‘foundational material’" (Dec 1, 2025): Covering the legal proceedings regarding the radical preacher and sitting MP's request to attend Parliament. "Protecting life paramount: HC backs Muslim woman in live-in after verbal divorce" (Nov 6, 2025): Analyzing judicial protections for personal liberty in the context of traditional practices. Signature Beats Manraj is recognized for her ability to decode complex judicial rulings and relate them to the everyday lives of citizens. Whether it is a 30-year-old land battle in Fazilka or the political implications of Kangana Ranaut’s candidacy in Mandi, her writing provides deep historical and regional context. Contact @grewal_sharma on X manrajgrewalsharma on Instagram ... Read More