#dependency compensation

Madhya Pradesh High Court rules that dependency claims of parents and siblings under the Motor Vehicles Act cannot be dismissed merely for non-appearance as witnesses if their dependency is pleaded and remains unrebutted. The Court modified the MACT award to include the deceased's parents and sister as dependents, reinforcing that compensation must align with pleaded facts and evidence, not procedural defaults.

Allahabad HC rules that rigid application of compensation release rules defeats justice, especially after prolonged litigation. The court directed 50% of the Rs. 8 lakh award to be released immediately to dependents, emphasizing practical needs over procedural rigidity in railway accident claims.

The Chhattisgarh High Court has ruled that a married sister, absent proof of financial dependency on her deceased brother, cannot claim loss of income under Section 166 of the Motor Vehicles Act. Only conventional heads like funeral expenses and filial consortium are recoverable, capped at ₹85,000 as per Supreme Court precedent - a critical clarification for insurers and claimants navigating familial dependency claims.

Madhya Pradesh High Court holds that oral testimony on deceased's income must be considered alongside minimum wage norms in accident claims when documents are absent.