THANE (Wednesday, March 4, 2026) — The Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Thane has awarded a compensation of ₹24,49,000 to the family of a 47-year-old businessman who was killed by a speeding car in 2015. Tribunal member R.V. Mohite, in an order dated February 25 and released this Wednesday, ruled that the car owner and the insurance provider are jointly liable for the payout.
The 2015 Bhayandar Fatality
The victim, Ramadhar Girija Sharma, was a resident of the Bhayandar (East) area on the outskirts of Mumbai. On June 21, 2015, Sharma was walking in the locality when he was struck by a Maruti car.
- The Incident: The impact of the collision resulted in severe multi-organ injuries. Sharma was rushed to a nearby hospital but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.
- Legal Action: Following the accident, the Bhayandar police registered an FIR against the car driver under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Motor Vehicles Act for rash and negligent driving.
The Tribunal’s Findings
The claim was filed by Sharma’s widow and their three children, seeking compensation for the loss of the primary breadwinner.
- Income Assessment: The petitioners argued that Sharma was a successful businessman earning a substantial monthly income. After reviewing the available financial records, the Tribunal estimated his monthly earnings and added 25% toward future prospects, considering his age at the time of death (47).
- Liability: The insurance firm, National Insurance Co. Ltd., contested the claim, citing various technical grounds. However, the Tribunal held that the evidence clearly established the driver’s negligence as the sole cause of the accident.
- Interest: The court directed the respondents to pay the compensation amount along with 7.5% annual interest calculated from the date of the claim petition’s filing in 2015.
Distribution of the Award
To ensure the long-term financial security of the family, the Tribunal ordered the following distribution:
- Fixed Deposits: A portion of the award granted to the children will be kept in Fixed Deposits (FDs) for a period of five years.
- Immediate Relief: The remaining amount, including the accumulated interest over the last nine years, will be released to Sharma’s widow to cover outstanding liabilities and household expenses.
With the accumulated interest over nearly a decade of litigation, the final payout to the family is expected to be significantly higher than the base award of ₹24.49 lakh.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Tribunal awards Rs 24.49 lakh compensation to kin of businessman killed in road accident in 2015” (March 4, 2026)
- The Times of India: “Thane: 9 years after accident, MACT awards ₹24 lakh to businessman’s kin” (March 4, 2026)
- Lokmat Times: “MACT Thane orders compensation for 2015 Bhayandar accident victim” (March 4, 2026)
- Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (Thane): Official Order – Ramadhar Sharma v. National Insurance Co. Ltd. (February 25, 2026)
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