- Case
- PARMINDER SINGH v. HONEY GOYAL (Supreme Court of India, 18-03-2025)
- Law
- Code of Criminal Procedure, Motor Vehicles Act, Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act.
Motor Vehicles Act, 1988: The judgment pertains to compensation awarded under the Motor Vehicles Act. It discusses the general practice of insurance companies depositing compensation with the Tribunal when the compensation is not disputed. The court suggests an alternative approach: directly transferring the amount to the claimant's bank account with intimation to the Tribunal. The judgment also addresses the issue of substantial amounts of compensation remaining deposited in the Tribunal due to claimants not approaching for release, leading to loss of interest. It emphasizes the need to bridge this gap to achieve the beneficial object of the legislation, which is to compensate for loss of earning or injuries suffered. The court directs that Tribunals may require claimants to furnish bank account details at the initial stage of pleadings or evidence. The court also directs that the bank account should be in the name of the claimant(s) and if minor, through guardian(s) and in no case it should be a joint account with any person, who is not a family member. The transfer of the amount in the bank account, particulars of which have been furnished by the claimant(s), as mentioned in the award, shall be treated as satisfaction of the award. Compliance should be furnished to the Tribunal.
Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973: The judgment refers to Section 125 Cr.P.C. in the context of payment of maintenance to the wife. It notes that the normal practice of depositing the amount in court and subsequent withdrawal by the litigant is prevalent even in cases of small maintenance amounts fixed under Section 125 Cr.P.C., causing unnecessary delays and expenses.
Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: The judgment refers to Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, in the context of payment of maintenance to the wife. It notes that the normal practice of depositing the amount in court and subsequent withdrawal by the litigant is prevalent even in cases of small maintenance amounts fixed under Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act, 2005, causing unnecessary delays and expenses.
General Principles of Law: The judgment discusses the importance of ensuring that claimants receive compensation without delay, emphasizing the "real object of the beneficial legislation". It highlights the need to streamline the process of disbursing compensation in motor accident cases to avoid loss of interest to the claimants. The judgment also touches upon the principle of ensuring proper compliance with court directions.
