Parminder Singh vs Honey Goyal 2025 INSC 361 - Motor Accident Compensation
Motor Accident Compensation - Concern expressed regarding mode of payment of compensation in motor accident cases - The process can be streamlined by directly transferring the amount in the bank accounts of the claimants, so that the Insurance Companies and the claimants are saved from hassles of the court processes- For that purpose, the Tribunals at the initial stage of pleadings or at the stage of leading evidence may require the claimant(s) to furnish their bank account particulars to the Tribunal along with the requisite proof, so that at the stage of passing of the award the Tribunal may direct that the amount of compensation be transferred in the account of the claimant and if there are more than one then in their respective accounts. If there is no bank account, then they should be required to open the bank account either individually or jointly with family members only. It should also be mandated that, in case there is any change in the bank account particulars of the claimant(s) during the pendency of the claim petition they should update the same before the Tribunal. This should be ensured before passing of the final award. It may be ensured 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. Intimation of compliance should be furnished to the Tribunal.
Digital Transactions - Our country has done wonders in digital payment transactions. (Para 15.1)- This is an era of technology, where now artificial intelligence is taking over. For conducting any bank transactions earlier we had to visit the bank branch in person and that too within the banking hours. Now all transactions can be affected 24x7, either sitting in the office or at home or even on mobile, while on the move. Practically the bank is in your mobile. Even cheques deposited in the banks for local clearance used to take couple of days. The outstation cheques took weeks together. Now, debits and credits in the accounts are instant with the help of technology. (Para 15)
