-1- 244 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH FAO-4187-2001 (O&M) Date of Decision: 27.07.2026 ANGURI DEVI ...Appellant Versus STATE OF PUNJAB AND OTHERS ...Respondents CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE PARMOD GOYAL Present: Mr. Sagar Aggarwal, Advocate for the appellant. Dr. D.S. Lamba, Addl. A.G, Punjab. PARMOD GOYAL, J. (ORAL) Present appeal has been preferred by appellant-claimant seeking enhancement of compensation of Rs.1,74,605/- granted vide award dated 07.08.2000 passed by Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, Karnal (hereinafter referred to as ‘Tribunal’). Appellant-claimant is mother of deceased Surjit Singh (hereinafter referred to as ‘deceased’), who had preferred claim petition on account of untimely death of deceased in motor vehicular accident dated 29.12.1997 on account of use of car bearing registration No.PB-12-B-9707. 2. The petition was preferred under Section 163-A read with Section 166 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 (hereinafter referred to as ‘1988 Act’). Learned counsel for appellant has argued that his petition for compensation be treated as petition under Section 163-A/164 of Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 as same is more beneficial to appellant/claimant. Heard. Allowed. CHIRANJEEV SINGH 2026.07.30 15:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document FAO-4176-2001 -2- 3. Appellant-claimant is seeking enhancement of compensation. The sole ground raised by learned counsel for appellant-claimant is that in view of amendment in Section 164 of 1988 Act, appellant-claimant shall be entitled to consolidated compensation under Section 164 of 1988 Act as provisions of Section 163-A of 1988 Act have been omitted and replaced by Section 164 setting fixed no-fault payout/compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- (Rupees Five Lakhs only) for death. 4. On the other hand, learned counsel for respondent has argued that rights of appellant-claimant had crystallized on the date of accident and provisions applicable on date of accident only needs to be taken into consideration. It is further submitted that subsequent developments would not alter the rights and liabilities of the parties. 5. Facts are not in dispute in present case. Accident had taken place on 29.12.1997. It is not in dispute that w.e.f. 01.04.2022, amended Section 164 of 1988 Act came in force, whereby a fix amount of Rs.5,00,000/- for no fault liability was made effective. The only question which requires adjudication is whether the amended Section 164 of 1988 Act would be applicable as to grant compensation of Rs.5,00,000/- in case wherein accident had taken place prior to 01.04.2022. 6. The above noted issue is not res integra. Hon’ble Supreme Court in Roopa Vs. The Manager, Orix Auto Infrastructure Service Ltd. and Anr., Civil Appeal No.6797 of 2026 decided on 27.04.2026; The New India Assurance Co. Ltd. Vs. Urmila Halder, 2025 ACJ 244; and K.R. Jagadish and Anr. Vs. M/s. National Insurance Company Ltd. And Anr., 2025 ACJ 188 has dealt this very issue and has concluded that since 1988 CHIRANJEEV SINGH 2026.07.30 15:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document FAO-4176-2001 -3- Act is beneficial legislation and amendment under Section 164 is procedural in nature, therefore, the compensation as amended under Section 164 can be awarded to appellant-claimant who had filed their petition under Section 163-A in accident which had occurred prior to 01.04.2022. In view of authoritative pronouncement by Hon’ble Supreme Court, it is clearly made out that Section 164 of 1988 Act being procedural amendment would be retrospective in nature and appellant-claimant would be entitled to receive compensation mandated therein. 7. Appeal is accordingly allowed. It is held that appellant-claimant is entitled to Rs.5,00,000/- as compensation. The same be paid after adjusting amount already awarded and paid. The enhanced compensation shall be payable along with interest @ 6% per annum from the date of filing of claim petition till its realization as was awarded by Hon’ble Supreme Court in case titled K.R. Jagadish and Anr. Vs. M/s. National Insurance Company Ltd. And Anr. (supra). Apportionment and liability to pay compensation shall be as per award. 8. Pending application(s), if any, is/are disposed of accordingly. (PARMOD GOYAL) 27.07.2026 JUDGE chiranjeev Whether Speaking/Reasoned : Yes/No Whether Reportable : Yes/No CHIRANJEEV SINGH 2026.07.30 15:57 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document