In Brief
Parents of a 26-year-old who died in a motorcycle accident filed a compensation claim for Rs. 10 lakh before a Motor Accident Claims Tribunal. The tribunal awarded Rs. 2.24 lakhs. The parents appealed to the High Court for enhancement 45 days late, citing the appellant's wife's illness. The High Court dismissed the delay condonation application. The Supreme Court allowed the appeal, holding that the Motor Vehicles Act—being remedial legislation—must be interpreted liberally to protect accident victims' substantive rights. A short, reasonably explained delay without mala fides should not be rejected on hyper-technical grounds. The matter was remanded for fresh consideration on merits.
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