- 1 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA AT BENGALURU DATED THIS THE 6TH DAY OF MARCH, 2026 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL MISCELLANEOUS FIRST APPEAL NO.2964/2020 (MV-I) BETWEEN: RAMESH KOTIAN S/O LATE CHENAPPA AMIN AGED 63 YEARS R/AT H.NO.3-32/6B, THOTA MANE MALEMAR, NAKKILA, DEREBAIL KONCHADY, MANGALURU D.K.DISTRICT-575007. …APPELLANT (BY SMT. POOJA PARVATHI U, ADV., FOR SRI. RAVISHANKAR SHASTRY G, ADV.,) AND: 1. MUHAMMED MUKTHAR HASSAN S/O ABDUL RAHAMAN AGED 25 YEARS R/AT D-221A, BISMILLAH MANZIL BELLAIRU ROAD, BELLAIRU VILLAGE HALEANGADY, MANGALUR D.K.DISTRICT-574146. Digitally signed by ARSHIFA BAHAR KHANAM Location: HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA - 2 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 2. RELIANCE GENERAL INSURANCE CO. LTD., BRANCH OFFICE AT MAXIMUM COMMERCIAL COMPLEX, 4TH FLOOR LIGHT HOUSE HILL ROAD OPP. KMC COLLEGE, MANGALURU D.K.DISTRICT-575 001 REP. BY ITS BRANCH MANAGER …RESPONDENTS (BY SRI. MALLIKARJUNA REDDY, ADV., FOR SRI. LAKSHMINARAYAN C, ADV., FOR R2 V/O/DTD:14.03.2023 NOTICE TO R1 D/W) THIS MFA IS FILED U/S 173(1) OF MV ACT, AGAINST THE JUDGMENT AND AWARD DATED 11.01.2019 PASSED IN MVC NO.571/2018 ON THE FILE OF THE VI ADDITIONAL DISTRICT AND SESSIONS JUDGE AND MACT, D.K, MANGALURU, PARTLY ALLOWING THE CLAIM PETITION FOR COMPENSATION AND SEEKING ENHANCEMENT OF COMPENSATION. THIS APPEAL, COMING ON FOR ADMISSION, THIS DAY, JUDGMENT WAS DELIVERED THEREIN AS UNDER: CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL ORAL JUDGMENT This appeal is filed by the injured/claimant seeking enhancement of compensation being aggrieved by the judgment and award dated 11.01.2019 passed in - 3 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 MVC.No.571/2018 by the VI Additional District & Session Judge & MACT, D.K., Mangaluru, (for short, ‘Tribunal’). 2. Though this appeal is listed for admission, with the consent of learned counsel for the parties, it is taken up for final disposal. 3. Smt.Poojaparvathi U., learned counsel for Sri.Ravishankar Shastry G., learned counsel for the appellant submits that Tribunal has committed a grave error in appreciating the oral and documentary evidence. The appellant was working as a room boy in Hotel Namdev, Kulur, Mangalore, and was earning more than Rs.12,000/- per month. The appellant-claimant sustained two grievous injuries and four simple injuries as is evident from Ex.P6. However, the Tribunal has awarded meager compensation on all heads, hence, she seeks to enhance the same appropriately. 4. Per contra, Sri.Mallikarjun Reddy, learned counsel for Sri.Lakshminarayan C., learned counsel - 4 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 appearing for respondent No.2 - insurance company supports the impugned judgment and award of the Tribunal and submits that the appellant has sustained minor injuries and he was inpatient for a period of 3 days and thereafter he was discharged and he has neither lost the job nor sustained any disability. Considering the said aspect, the Tribunal has awarded just compensation which does not call for any interference. 5. I have heard the arguments of the learned counsel appearing on both the sides and meticulously perused the material available on record including the Tribunal records. 6. The only point that would arise for consideration in this appeal is : "Whether the judgment and award passed by the Tribunal calls for any interference?" 7. It is not in dispute that the appellant-claimant met with a road accident on 13.01.2018 and sustained the - 5 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 injuries viz., bilateral black eye, reddish abrasion on the left side of the forehead, reddish abrasion on the right cheek with CT scan showing fracture of maxilla and right orbital floor, reddish abrasion on the nose, reddish contusion on the left shoulder with x-ray showing underlying fracture of neck of scapula, reddish abrasion on the right wrist and two grievous and four simple injuries to other parts of his body, as is evident from Ex.P6. 8. It is averred that the appellant was working as a room boy at Hotel Namdev, Kulur, Mangalore, and earning more than Rs.12,000/- per month. The records indicate that the appellant was in-patient at A.J.Hospital and Research Centre, Kuntikana, Mangalore for a period of 4 days and thereafter he has taken follow-up treatment. In support of his claim, the appellant-claimant has examined himself as PW1 and got marked the police records as Exs.P1 to P5; wound certificate as Ex.P6; discharge summary as Ex.P10 and medical bills as Exs.P11 to P18. Upon perusal of the said documents and the oral - 6 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 evidence, it is to be noticed that the appellant has not suffered any permanent disablement due to the injuries, however, he sustained two grievous injuries and four simple injuries in the said road accident. Considering the said aspect, I am of the view that the compensation is required to be re-assessed appropriately. Hence, the appellant-claimant would be entitled to compensation of Rs.40,000/- towards pain & suffering; Rs.15,000/- towards food, attendant and conveyance charges; Rs.25,000/- towards loss of enjoyment/amenities in life, etc. The appellant would be entitled to Rs.25,000/- towards the loss of income during laid-up period. The compensation awarded by the Tribunal towards medical expenses is unaltered. Thus, the appellant would be entitled to the modified compensation as under: HEADS AMOUNT (in Rs.) Pain & suffering 40,000 Medical expenses 18,900 Food, attendant and conveyance charges 15,000 Loss of income during laid up period 25,000 - 7 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 Thus, the appellant-claimant shall be entitled to a total compensation of Rs.1,23,900/- as against Rs.74,400/- awarded by the Tribunal. 9. In the result, this Court proceeds to pass the following: ORDER a) Appeal is allowed in part. b) The impugned judgment and award of the Tribunal is modified to an extent that the appellant-claimant would be entitled to a total compensation of Rs.1,23,900/- as against Rs.74,400/- awarded by the Tribunal. c) The enhanced compensation amount shall carry interest at the rate of 6% per annum from the date of petition till the date of payment. Loss of amenities/enjoyment in life 25,000 Total 1,23,900 - 8 - HC-KAR NC: 2026:KHC:13786 M.F.A. No.2964/2020 d) The Insurance Company shall deposit the enhanced compensation amount with accrued interest before the Tribunal within a period of six weeks from the date of receipt of certified copy of this judgment. e) The entire compensation amount shall be released in favour of the appellant- claimant. f) Registry shall transmit the records to the Tribunal forthwith. g) Registry shall draw modified award accordingly. Sd/- (VIJAYKUMAR A. PATIL) JUDGE BSR List No.: 1 Sl No.: 24