In a major ruling regarding public transport accountability, the Delhi Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) has directed the payment of approximately 67.4 lakh rupees in compensation to the surviving family members of 41-year-old Nain Singh Bisht. The tribunal held the commercial bus driver directly responsible for the fatal incident due to reckless and speedy driving, while categorically rejecting the insurer's arguments that sought to place blame on the victim.
Midnight Collision Near Mahipalpur on National Highway
According to the official claim placed before the tribunal, the fatal accident took place on May 14, 2025, at around 2 am. Nain Singh Bisht was attempting to disembark from a passenger bus on National Highway 48 (NH-48) near the Mahipalpur stretch in South Delhi. While he was in the process of stepping down, the bus driver, who had initially slowed the vehicle, abruptly pressed the accelerator. The sudden forward jerk threw Bisht off balance, causing him to fall onto the asphalt road. Before he could recover, the left rear wheel of the heavy vehicle ran directly over him, inflicting catastrophic injuries that resulted in his death. Following the collision, an FIR was registered with the Vasant Kunj South police station. Presiding Officer Shirish Agarwal finalized the comprehensive verdict in an order dated September 23.
Insurer Arguments Dismissed by the Bench
During the tribunal proceedings, Oriental Insurance Company Limited resisted the compensation claim by asserting that the victim had engaged in contributory negligence. The insurer maintained that Bisht chose to exit a moving vehicle at a location that was not an authorized, designated bus stop. Furthermore, the company raised objections regarding documentation, alleging that the bus driver was operating without a valid driving license and that the vehicle lacked a proper route permit. The tribunal dismissed each of these assertions after examining the evidentiary records, noting that both the driving license of the operator and the fitness certificate of the bus were properly documented and legally valid on the date of the mishap.
No Contributory Negligence Attributed to Victim
The presiding officer held that even if a driver accedes to a commuter's request to alight closer to home at an unscheduled stopping place, the commuter cannot be penalized or blamed for the eventual mishap. The court emphasized that a passenger cannot be expected to foresee bodily harm simply by alighting when the driver has slowed down. The bench noted that had the driver brought the bus to a complete halt and avoided accelerating mid-exit, the fatality would have been avoided. Crucial testimony from an eyewitness substantiated that the vehicle was in the final stage of coming to a stop, proving that Bisht intended to exit safely, only to be thrown under the wheels when the driver prematurely accelerated.
Apportionment of the Compensation Award
The tribunal held the driver, the vehicle owner, and the insurance firm jointly liable for the claim, while formally directing Oriental Insurance Company Limited to deposit the full sum. The compensation amount of approximately 67.4 lakh rupees encompasses interest, loss of financial dependency, loss of consortium, property damages, and funeral costs. Nain Singh Bisht is survived by his wife, Haru Devi Bisht, three daughters, and one son. Under the structured distribution mandate, the presiding officer ordered that 60 percent of the award be disbursed to the widow, while each of the four children will receive a 10 percent share.
