Punjab & Haryana High Court Enhances Compensation for Accident Victims; Awards Additional ₹1.7 Lakh with 9% Interest for Pain, Suffering, and Special Expenses
Case Name: Ankush Shokeen & Another v. Vinod & Others
Date of Judgment: October 31, 2025
Citation: FAO-7761-2017
Bench: Hon’ble Mrs. Justice Sudeepti Sharma
Held: The Punjab & Haryana High Court enhanced the compensation awarded by the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT), Sonepat, to two injured claimants—Ankush Shokeen and Kunal—by granting an additional ₹1,70,000 in total, along with 9% annual interest. Justice Sudeepti Sharma held that the Tribunal had awarded “meager amounts” under crucial heads such as pain and suffering, special diet, transportation, and attendant charges, and that enhancement was warranted to ensure just compensation in line with the principles laid down in Raj Kumar v. Ajay Kumar (2011) 1 SCC 343 and Pranay Sethi (2017) 16 SCC 680.
Summary: The appellants, Ankush Shokeen and Kunal, sustained grievous injuries in a road accident on 28.02.2015. The Tribunal had awarded ₹4,78,100 and ₹66,000 respectively with 9% interest. Dissatisfied, the claimants sought enhancement on grounds that the amounts under non-pecuniary heads were too low and that the Tribunal had failed to appreciate the extent of their suffering and treatment expenses.
Justice Sudeepti Sharma referred extensively to Supreme Court precedents including Raj Kumar v. Ajay Kumar (2011), Erudhaya Priya v. State Express Transport Corporation Ltd. (2020 ACJ 2159), and Pranay Sethi (2017), reaffirming that the object of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 is to award “just and fair compensation” that restores the injured to the position they would have been in but for the accident. The Court held that although neither appellant suffered permanent disability, the nature of their injuries warranted reasonable enhancement.
Decision: The Court allowed the appeal, enhancing compensation by ₹1,00,000 for appellant Ankush Shokeen and ₹70,000 for appellant Kunal, over and above the amount awarded by the MACT. The enhanced sum shall carry interest at 9% per annum from the date of filing of the claim petition till realization. The Insurance Company was directed to deposit the amount within two months before the Tribunal, which shall disburse it to the claimants after due verification.