Punjab & Haryana High Court Enhances Compensation to Over ₹44 Lakh for Family of Deceased Postman-Selectee; Says Tribunal Erred in Ignoring Appointment Letter

Case Name: Munni Devi vs. Pardeep & Others
Date of Judgment: 17 November 2025
Citation: FAO-5516-2022
Bench: Hon’ble Mr. Justice Virinder Aggarwal

Held: The Punjab and Haryana High Court enhanced the compensation for the death of a 21-year-old accident victim to ₹44,55,700, holding that the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal wrongly assessed income at a notional figure and ignored unimpeached evidence establishing that the deceased had secured appointment as Postman/Mail Guard in the Department of Posts.

Summary: The deceased Sonu had received a government appointment letter and commenced mandatory pre-joining formalities. The Court held that once a candidate is issued an appointment letter and has begun the reporting process, the income attached to the post is not speculative. Rejecting the Tribunal’s assumption that the deceased was privately employed at a modest income, the Court reassessed the monthly income at ₹27,000 in line with the applicable pay matrix.

Applying the legal framework in Sarla Verma and Pranay Sethi, the Court granted 50 percent future prospects, applied multiplier eighteen, deducted fifty percent towards personal expenses, and added amounts under consortium, funeral expenses and loss of estate. The total compensation thus increased from ₹15,93,700 to ₹44,55,700, with interest at seven percent per annum.

Decision: The appeal was allowed and compensation substantially enhanced. The insurer was directed to satisfy the award.