A quiet courtroom at Patiala House Courts turned attentive on Thursday as the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) delivered its long-awaited verdict in a road accident case dating back nearly a decade. The tribunal held the Department of Posts responsible for a crash involving its official vehicle near Tilak Marg and awarded compensation to the injured motorcyclist, Mohd. Khushbuddin. The ruling brings closure to a case that has lingered since 2015, with arguments stretching over years and evidence examined in detail.
Background
The accident occurred on the morning of 14 February 2015, close to Gate No. 8 of the Supreme Court complex on Tilak Marg. Khushbuddin, then working as a painter and riding his motorcycle home, was hit by a government vehicle belonging to the postal department. The vehicle was being driven by Anil Kumar, a government driver on duty.
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An FIR was registered at Tilak Marg police station, and a chargesheet followed under provisions dealing with rash driving and causing grievous injury. Since the vehicle was government-owned, it was not insured, making the question of liability more sensitive. Khushbuddin later approached the tribunal seeking compensation for medical expenses, loss of income during treatment, and the pain he endured.
Court’s Observations
Presiding Officer Abhilash Malhotra carefully sifted through witness testimonies and documents. The injured man maintained that the postal vehicle tried to overtake him and suddenly cut across, causing the collision. The driver, on the other hand, claimed the motorcycle hit the rear of his vehicle.
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The tribunal was not convinced by the defence. The bench noted that once a police chargesheet is filed against a driver, a presumption of negligence arises in motor accident claims. “The standard here is not proof beyond doubt,” the bench observed, “but what appears more probable on the balance of evidence.”
Several factors weighed against the driver: he admitted to taking a right turn from an unauthorised point near the Supreme Court, applying sudden brakes, and performing duty beyond prescribed working hours. Fatigue, the tribunal remarked, can affect a driver’s alertness. Taken together, these circumstances pointed clearly to negligent driving.
On compensation, the tribunal accepted medical bills and treatment records amounting to over ₹3.29 lakh. Since no permanent disability was proved, future income loss was not granted. Still, amounts were added for conveyance, special diet, attendant charges, loss of income during treatment, and non-pecuniary damages for pain, suffering, and loss of amenities.
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Decision
Concluding the matter, the tribunal awarded Khushbuddin a total compensation of ₹5,22,200, along with interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing the claim. The Department of Posts, as owner of the vehicle and employer of the driver, was directed to deposit the amount within the stipulated time, failing which further interest would apply.
Case Title: Mohd. Khushbuddin vs Anil Kumar & Another (Govt. Vehicle)
Case No.: DAR No. 781/2017
Case Type: Motor Accident Claim (Injury Compensation)
Decision Date: 26 December 2025
