Following a prolonged legal battle spanning nearly eight years, the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal has awarded a total compensation of Rs 1,80,99,232 to the family and two minor children of a couple killed in a devastating road collision on the Mumbai-Pune Expressway. The fatal crash took place when a speeding truck applied sudden brakes in the middle of the corridor, giving the following car no room to decelerate before violently ramming into the heavy vehicle.
The Tragic Highway Collision of December 23, 2018
The tragedy dates back to December 23, 2018, when Ankit Bhupindersingh Chug was driving along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway accompanied by his wife Sanjana and their two young children. Ahead of their passenger vehicle, a truck was travelling at high speed. Without warning, the truck driver applied hard brakes directly in the flow of traffic. Driving closely behind at a similar pace, Ankit was unable to bring his vehicle to a halt in time, resulting in a high-impact crash into the rear of the truck.
The force of the collision left the car mangled, causing critical injuries to both Ankit and Sanjana. Emergency responders transferred the injured couple to the rural hospital in Panvel for urgent medical intervention, but both succumbed to their severe injuries shortly afterward during treatment. While their two minor children survived the crash with serious bodily injuries, the untimely loss of both parents in a single incident left the young siblings to face severe personal and financial challenges.
Tribunal Assesses Contributory Negligence Between Drivers
Following the conclusion of arguments from both sides, Motor Accident Claims Tribunal member Gauri Kavadikar pronounced the order on October 29. The tribunal addressed the fundamental duties of motorists on express highways, observing that drivers bear a legal responsibility to maintain a safe and sufficient braking distance from the vehicles moving ahead of them.
The tribunal clarified that a rear driver cannot be held exclusively liable merely because the vehicle in front decelerates or stops abruptly. However, the evaluation established that had Ankit maintained an adequate buffer zone and kept his car within a controllable speed, the crash could have been avoided entirely. Consequently, the tribunal fixed 70 percent contributory negligence on Ankit, while assigning 30 percent responsibility to the truck driver for speeding and negligent driving that triggered the abrupt halt.
Assessment of Incomes Leads to Rs 1.80 Crore Award
In calculating the monetary dependency and financial relief for the surviving children, the tribunal took into account the stable employment and earning capacities of both deceased parents. Ankit Chug was employed with Dell International Services as a senior delivery specialist, while his wife Sanjana worked at a school. The tribunal methodically evaluated the loss of income and parental support suffered by the surviving family members.
Based on these parameters, the tribunal quantified compensation of Rs 92,53,500 on account of Sanjana's demise and Rs 88,45,732 for the death of Ankit Chug. Combining these evaluations, the tribunal directed a total payout of Rs 1,80,99,232 to provide long-term financial security for the two surviving children following the tragic demise of their parents.
