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Journalism of Courage
Fifteen years after an American citizen was crippled by an overspeeding bus on the Jaipur-Delhi highway, a district court in Rajasthan has awarded him a compensation of Rs 2.25 crore — the highest in India.
On January 8, 1988, Alexis Sonier was walking down NH-8 when a Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation bus hit him. Sonier had to undergo a series of operations in Jaipur before being shifted to Ahmedabad and finally his hometown Santa Barbara, where doctors declared permanent neurological damage. The accident left him partially crippled. The 22-year-old was participating in a peace march from Sabarmati Ashram to Rajghat in Delhi when the mishap occurred.
Ever since, Sonier has been dependent on others and this was one of the aspects that Judge Vijay Kumar Vyas of the District Court of Motor Accident Claims Tribunal highlighted in his judgement of September 29.
During the 15 years that the case was fought by advocate G.K. Bhartiya in the Jaipur court, witnesses in the Pink City, Ahmedabad and even Santa Barbara were examined.
After examining evidence and records gathered over 15 years, the court stated that the liability if the state roadways had been clearly established and charged the driver of the bus with rash and negligent driving. The court also noted the circumstances of the case, taking into account the fact that the future of the 22-year-old had also been affected.
