NT Reporter
Panaji
The High Court of Bombay at Goa has enhanced compensation for the parents of 25-year-old seafarer Girish Baing, who died in a road accident at Thivim in July 2013, raising the amount to Rs 1.18 crore.
The appeal was filed against the judgment and award dated October 25, 2016, passed by the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal, which had granted compensation of Rs 91.05 lakh with 9% interest per annum from the date of filing the claim petition until realisation from all respondents jointly
and severally.
This appeal was initially disposed of through an oral judgment on March 17, 2022. That order was later challenged before the Supreme Court in
civil appeal No. 252 of 2025. On January 8, 2025, the Supreme Court remanded the matter back to the
High Court.
The High Court subsequently heard counsel Amey Kakodkar for the appellant-insurance company, counsel Vinoj Daniel for respondents 1 and 2—the claimants, Krishna Sakharam Baing and Kavita Krishna Baing—and advocate Salil Saudagar for respondents 3 and 4—motorcycle rider Vasu Morajkar and owner
Narayan Morajkar.
The court modified the tribunal’s award by adding 40% towards future prospects while reducing excessive claims under other heads. It directed the insurer and the motorcycle owner to pay the balance, with 9% interest, after deducting amounts
already paid.
The court held that the accident was caused by the rider’s rash driving and rejected claims that the deceased was under the influence of alcohol, noting the absence of a blood test report and relying instead on eyewitness testimony.
The court ordered that the additional compensation be deposited within eight weeks.
